His jaw clenched, and he looked down, visibly wrestling with his own thoughts. “But I feel like I’m failing you. That who I am isn’t enough, that maybe you’d be happier if I changed.”I reached out, my hand finding his, and squeezed it gently. “You’re not failing me, Cole. I fell in love with who yo
Nicola TaylorThe kitchen was a war zone of flour and laughter, Betty and I standing shoulder to shoulder, each armed with rolling pins and piles of dough that didn’t stand a chance. The morning sun peeked through the windows, casting a warm glow over the counter as we rolled and shaped our pastries
Nicola TaylorI nudged my cart forward through the busy supermarket, half-distracted by my list and hoping to wrap up quickly. Just as I reached for a can of tomatoes, my cart bumped into someone else’s. I looked up, already stifling a sigh.“Nicola,” a familiar voice greeted, way too smooth and fri
Nicola TaylorAs I chopped vegetables for dinner, the thought of my run-in with Brad kept tugging at me. I hadn’t planned on telling Cole about it, not wanting to drag up any unwanted tension, but Brad’s words still lingered in my mind. Maybe I should let Cole decide if it mattered or not.After all
Cole Harrington The office buzzed with tension as I stormed through the hallway, each step building the rage pulsing through my veins. I didn’t care about the gawking faces of Brad’s assistants, the whispers passing between them. They could sense the storm I carried with me, and for good reason.Wi
Nicola Taylor“No, no, no…” I whispered, staring at the calendar date, a hollow dread filling my chest.This can’t be happening. My hands shook slightly, and I felt my pulse hammering beneath my skin. I swallowed hard, pressing a hand to my stomach. The overwhelming thought was louder, more urgent now:I knew this would happen.My breathing grew uneven, and I tried to push down the panic building inside me. "Oh God," I murmured to myself. "I’m going to die…" My stomach turned as the reality began to set in.I was pregnant.A dizzying mix of emotions crashed through me—fear, confusion, something that felt like excitement but was smothered by worry. My mind raced, piecing together the fragments of memory that led up to this.Cole and I had never really used protection. I’d been on birth control for so long that it felt routine. But after I moved here, I’d stopped taking it—part laziness, part my own complacency. I’ll grab an after-pill if we need it, I’d told myself. Surely, we’d eithe
Cole HarringtonAs Nicola’s words sank in, I just stared, unable to process everything. She was sitting there, looking fragile in a way that broke my heart, her voice barely a whisper. "I… I think I might be pregnant, Cole," she managed, her voice trembling. "I haven’t taken a test, but I’m ten days late." She was holding back tears, bracing herself for my reaction.My silence must have been deafening because I saw her shoulders tense even more. I swallowed, pushing down my own whirlwind of emotions to focus on her, only her. I didn’t know what to say at that moment, but seeing her so scared, so vulnerable, made me realize that this was far more difficult for her than it was for me. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to sound calm. “Hey,” I murmured, pulling her closer, rubbing her back gently as I held her. "Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. I’m here, okay? You’re not alone in this." She buried her face against my shoulder, and I felt her release a shaky breath. It made me w
Nicola TaylorThe quiet hum of the doctor’s office felt oddly comforting as I sat beside Cole, my fingers tapping against my knee. He didn’t say much, just held my hand, calm and steady in that way he always was when he was holding back. Part of me had expected more—something like shock or excitement—but his silence left me feeling exposed, like I’d hoped too much.After what felt like hours, the doctor finally walked in, her warm smile dissolving the tension a bit. “Congratulations,” she said, her tone cheerful yet professional. “You’re officially pregnant, Mrs. Harrington.”The words sank in, spreading a comforting warmth through me. I looked at Cole, waiting for something to flash across his face, some signal that he was thrilled or, at the very least, surprised. But instead, his eyes softened, and he smiled—not wide, not exactly happy, but something between relief and satisfaction. He squeezed my hand, a reassuring gesture, and nodded at me.“This is great news, isn’t it?” I said,