The next morning, Ethan woke up feeling lighter than he had in years. The weight of his past mistakes and regrets still lingered, but they no longer crushed him. Instead, they served as reminders of how far he had come—and how much he still had to do.As he descended the stairs, he heard Emma’s voice in the kitchen. She was humming a soft tune while preparing breakfast, a domestic scene so peaceful that it momentarily took his breath away. For a man who had spent years cloaked in cold indifference, this newfound warmth was both unfamiliar and welcome.He entered the kitchen and leaned against the doorway, watching her. Emma turned around, her face lighting up when she saw him.“Good morning,” she greeted, handing him a cup of coffee.“Good morning,” Ethan replied, his voice unusually soft. He took a sip, savoring both the coffee and the moment.****Later that afternoon, an unexpected car pulled into their driveway. Ethan frowned as he glanced out the window, recognizing the sleek bla
The confrontation with Emma’s parents left an unsettling feeling in the air. Though Ethan had driven them away, their presence was a reminder of the ghosts from Emma’s past—the people who had always seen her as nothing more than a pawn. But this time, she wasn’t alone. She had Ethan by her side.That morning, Emma found herself lost in thought as she prepared breakfast. She hadn’t expected Ethan to stand up for her so fiercely, and the way he had shut down her parents with no hesitation had sent a strange warmth through her chest.She was used to fighting her battles alone, hiding her pain behind a calm façade. But now, Ethan was fighting for her. Protecting her.“Thinking about yesterday?” Ethan’s deep voice pulled her from her thoughts.She turned to see him leaning against the counter, his sharp eyes studying her. His presence alone was enough to make her heart race.“I just didn’t expect them to show up,” she admitted. “And I didn’t expect you to—”“To throw them out?” he finished
The tension from Lucas’s visit lingered in the air long after he was gone. Emma could sense it in the way Ethan’s jaw remained clenched, the way his fingers drummed restlessly on the table. He was calculating, strategizing—already preparing for whatever move Lucas planned next.But Emma wasn’t just worried about business. She knew Ethan could handle his enemies in the corporate world. What unsettled her was the way Lucas had looked at her. Like she was a piece on the chessboard he was willing to use against Ethan.She needed to be careful.Later that night, Emma sat on the couch, flipping through a medical journal absentmindedly. She was supposed to be studying, but her thoughts kept drifting to Ethan.He was standing by the window, his broad shoulders tense, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He hadn’t said much since Lucas left, and that silence was suffocating.“You’re overthinking,” she said softly.Ethan let out a dry chuckle. “I don’t have the luxury not to.”Emma sighed, setting t
Emma had been feeling off for the past few days. It started with small things—waking up feeling nauseous, sudden cravings for foods she usually avoided, and an overwhelming sense of fatigue that made even simple tasks seem exhausting. At first, she blamed stress. Between taking care of Ethan’s recovery and navigating their complicated marriage, exhaustion was inevitable.But then came the dizziness.This morning, as she stood in the kitchen pouring herself a glass of water, the room spun. She gripped the counter, steadying herself."You okay?"Ethan’s deep, commanding voice came from behind her.She turned to face him, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, just tired."His sharp eyes didn’t miss a thing. "You’ve been tired a lot lately."She waved him off. "Taking care of a stubborn man like you is exhausting."Ethan smirked, leaning against the counter, his cane resting beside him. His legs were getting stronger, but he still needed support. He studied her, his gaze lingering.Emma grabbed a
Emma woke up before sunrise, her body tense from the weight of her secret. The pregnancy test lay hidden in the back of her drawer, but the truth it revealed couldn't be ignored.She turned her head slightly, glancing at Ethan, who was still asleep beside her. His strong, chiseled features were relaxed in slumber, but even then, he looked like a man who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.Her gaze trailed down to his hand resting near hers. A hand that had once pushed her away, but lately… it lingered. It hesitated, as if unsure whether to reach for her or keep his distance.Would that change once he knew about the baby?A wave of nausea rolled over her, and she clamped a hand over her mouth, rushing to the bathroom.She barely made it before emptying what little was in her stomach. Her hands gripped the porcelain sink, her forehead pressed against the cool surface as she tried to catch her breath.The door creaked open behind her."Emma?"Ethan’s voice was hoarse from s
Ethan sat at his desk, his fingers tapping against the polished wood as he stared at the door Emma had just walked out of.Something was off.He had seen that look in her eyes before—hesitation, fear, like she was holding something back. And he hated it.Emma had always been easy to read. She wasn’t like the women in his business world who played games with their words and expressions. She was straightforward, sometimes frustratingly so.But tonight, she had lied to his face.Ethan leaned back in his chair, his mind replaying every interaction they had over the past few weeks.The fatigue. The sudden sickness. The way she avoided his gaze when she thought he wasn’t looking.Something was definitely wrong.And he was going to find out what it was.A Subtle InvestigationThe next morning, Ethan made a call."Jake," he said as soon as his assistant answered."Sir?""Find out what’s going on with Emma."There was a brief silence before Jake replied, "You want me to investigate your wife?"
Emma’s fingers trembled as she gripped the bathroom sink, staring at her pale reflection in the mirror. The pregnancy test sat beside her, its bold positive result glaring back at her like a silent accusation.How much longer can I keep this secret?She had barely slept last night, haunted by Ethan’s suspicious gaze. She could feel the walls closing in—Jake watching her too closely, Ethan growing more restless by the day, and her mother’s veiled threats lingering in her mind.She took a deep breath and placed a hand on her flat stomach. A life was growing inside her, a life that would change everything.But how would Ethan react?Would he be angry? Distant?Or worse—would he see this as another form of betrayal?Ethan’s Growing SuspicionEthan sat in his office, fingers drumming against his desk as he listened to Jake’s report."She’s been avoiding the staff, barely eating, and she refused to see a doctor," Jake said, his voice hesitant.Ethan exhaled slowly. "And yet, she keeps sayin
Ethan sat at his desk, the papers before him blurred as his thoughts raced, all centered around one overwhelming truth.Emma is pregnant.The news had hit him like a freight train, and the aftermath had left him standing on the edge of something he wasn’t sure he was ready to face. His world was built on control—on everything going according to plan, on every move being calculated and executed flawlessly. But this? This was the one thing he had never planned for, never saw coming.His gaze lingered on the empty chair across from him.It had been two days since Emma had told him about the pregnancy, but his mind had yet to fully catch up. Two days of trying to make sense of the chaos, two days of Emma’s silence and the cold distance he had put between them.He wanted to be angry. Wanted to lash out. How could she keep something so monumental from him? But something deeper, something he couldn’t quite name, was clawing at him. The more he tried to ignore it, the stronger it became. The
The room was filled with a sense of quiet anticipation as the hours ticked on. The sterile smell of the hospital and the steady beep of machines were the only sounds breaking the silence. Emma’s contractions had become closer, sharper, and there was no doubt now that the baby was ready to make its grand entrance into the world.She lay back on the bed, drenched in sweat, her breathing labored but steady. Ethan was right there, holding her hand with a firmness that grounded her, as if reminding her that together, they could handle anything. His eyes were full of admiration for her strength, even though the anxiety in his chest was almost unbearable.He kissed the back of her hand, his voice low and soothing. “You’re doing amazing, Emma. Just a little longer, okay? We’re almost there.”Emma gave him a weak but determined smile, squeezing his hand in return. It was overwhelming, this entire experience. But as the pain surged again, she focused on him, on the love they shared, on the fami
The days leading up to Emma's due date were a whirlwind of final preparations. The nursery was perfect, everything from the soft blue walls to the cozy crib. Emma had gone through every possible checklist, from baby clothes to diapers, and the little stuffed animals that would line the shelves, each one symbolizing the new life they were about to welcome into the world.But as much as Emma wanted to feel ready, she couldn't shake the restlessness that had settled in her chest. She was about to become a mother, a role she had never fully imagined for herself until recently, and while she was excited, she was also terrified. The thought of holding their baby, of everything changing, felt overwhelming at times.Ethan had been nothing short of a rock. He was there at every doctor's appointment, his hand always in hers, offering her words of reassurance even when he was anxious himself. He made sure she rested, even when she was eager to start cleaning or organizing the house for what seem
The days were blending into one long stretch of anticipation. Every morning, Emma would wake up to Ethan’s gentle kisses on her forehead, feeling the warmth of his love as he checked in on her and the baby. It had been several months since they’d received the news, and though Emma had grown used to the idea of becoming a mother, it still felt surreal at times. There were moments when she would find herself staring at her reflection in the mirror, wondering if she was truly ready for the next chapter of her life.It was the middle of the week when Emma felt the baby kick harder than ever before. Startled, she pressed her hand to her belly, feeling the fluttering movement beneath her fingertips. The baby had been moving regularly, but this sensation was different, stronger. For a moment, she marveled at the feeling, but then a wave of anxiety washed over her. She hadn’t experienced anything quite like this before, and she couldn’t help but wonder if it was a sign of something.Ethan had
The days were growing warmer, the air thick with the promise of spring, and Emma felt the subtle changes in her body—new aches, new demands from the life growing inside her. As much as she had initially dreaded the idea of giving up her independence, of needing to rest and take it easy, she had found solace in the quiet moments of the past weeks. Time had slowed down, and she could finally catch her breath.Ethan had been her rock, more attentive than she ever could have imagined. His love for her was evident in every action, from the way he’d sit beside her for hours, just talking about their future, to how he’d insist on doing everything for her, even when she tried to push back. The pregnancy had created an even deeper bond between them, and despite the uncertainty they both felt about their future, Emma knew one thing for sure: they were in this together.But she still had her moments of doubt. She couldn’t help but worry about the transition. Would they really be able to handle i
The weeks that followed Emma’s doctor’s appointment were filled with tension and uncertainty. Bed rest had become a part of her daily routine, and while she appreciated the extra attention from Ethan, she couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness that had settled within her. She had always been independent, able to take charge of her own life, but now, she felt like she was drifting in a sea of unknowns, with only Ethan’s steady presence keeping her afloat.Ethan had taken time off from work to be with her, his usual drive and focus diverted entirely to her and the baby. He was always there, sitting beside her, talking to her, reassuring her that everything would be okay. But Emma could see the way the weight of responsibility was beginning to take its toll on him. His jaw was set in a permanent line of determination, his brow furrowed as if the entire world rested on his shoulders.One night, after dinner, as they sat together on the couch in the dim light of their living room, Emma
The days were ticking by at an increasingly rapid pace, and with each passing moment, Emma and Ethan’s anticipation for their baby’s arrival grew. There were moments of quiet joy, of course, but underneath it all, there was a sense of urgency that neither of them could ignore. It wasn’t just about getting the nursery ready or finalizing baby names anymore—it was about preparing their hearts, their minds, and their lives for a huge, life-changing shift.Ethan had grown more introspective in the last few weeks. He was known for his relentless drive, his unwavering determination, but with the baby on the way, he began to think more about his legacy—about what kind of father he wanted to be, what kind of role model he would become. He was used to being the one who solved problems, who called the shots, who dominated the room. But now, as he stood next to Emma, his hand resting gently on her round belly, he realized that nothing he had ever done in his life would compare to the responsibil
The days passed by quickly, and with each one, the anticipation of the baby’s arrival grew. Emma and Ethan had settled into a routine of baby prep, work responsibilities, and, most importantly, supporting each other. Emma couldn’t help but marvel at the transformation in Ethan. Gone was the cold, business-focused man she once knew, replaced by a softer, more caring version who made her feel secure and loved. And although the thought of becoming parents still filled her with a mixture of excitement and fear, there was an undeniable sense of peace in knowing they were in this together.It was early one morning, just after sunrise, when Emma found herself staring out the window, contemplating the future. She hadn’t felt this content in a long time. As she gazed at the city skyline, she thought about everything they had been through—the heartbreak, the misunderstandings, the doubts—and how far they had come. She had come to understand that the road ahead would never be perfect. There woul
After months of navigating through emotional roller coasters and the weight of unspoken fears, Emma and Ethan were finally finding their balance. It was as if, for the first time in a long while, the storm that had been brewing around them had begun to settle. Life, though still uncertain and filled with challenges, seemed a little more manageable. The chaos at work was slowly becoming a distant memory as they both focused on what truly mattered—their future together and the baby they were about to welcome into the world.The first step was clearing up the mess they had both found themselves in at work. It had always been a struggle to balance their personal and professional lives, but they knew things couldn’t continue that way—not with a baby on the way. It was time to face their responsibilities head-on.Ethan had been working tirelessly to ensure everything at his company was in order. The pressure of his position had never been more intense, but he knew it was no longer just abou
The days were starting to feel like a blur. Emma tried to stay focused, but the constant thoughts of the future—of the baby, of her relationship with Ethan, of what it all meant—kept intruding on her daily life. The weight of uncertainty seemed to follow her wherever she went, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that she was losing control.The baby was growing, and with each passing day, it felt more real. The appointments were becoming routine, but the intensity of the emotions she was feeling seemed to heighten. She was happy, she was scared, and, at times, she felt completely overwhelmed.Ethan was more present than he had ever been, but even his reassuring presence didn’t quite silence the fear that plagued her. He kept his promises, always saying that they would face this together, but Emma couldn't help wondering—what if that wasn’t enough? What if she wasn’t enough?As she sat on the edge of their bed, staring at the reflection of herself i