Chapter 5 : Secrets

Cecilia rested against the basin in the softly lit restroom, her hands shaking as she focused on the tiny plastic stick she held. The two pale pink lines appeared to sear into her sight, stubbornly remaining even after countless blinks.

Her thoughts whirled as if the walls surrounding her were starting to constrict. A wave of nausea rolled in her stomach, not due to pregnancy but from the intense revelation. In what way? When? She clutched the rim of the sink for support, the chill of the porcelain anchoring her briefly.

The mirror in the bathroom showed her pale face, her amber eyes open wide in astonishment. Her wolf moved restlessly inside her, perceiving her turmoil. This cannot be happening, she kept telling herself, repeatedly, yet the proof was undeniable.

She tripped into her bedroom and fell onto the bed. The burden of the discovery that she’s pregnant weighed on her heart like a steel clamp. She instantly thought of Andrew. Despite her deep hatred for him, he was her mate—or rather, the one selected by the Moon Goddess from the beginning. But she has rejected him as her mate. Now, she is pregnant with him.

Should I tell him?

Her wolf let out a low growl at the idea. Andrew had always been domineering, harsh and never reciprocated her love. This child would serve as a tool for him, a means to strengthen his control over her. No, she can’t inform him. Not after what she has passed through between Andrew and his mistress, Vivian. 

The question now is, For how long will she be concealing this secret?

However, what comes next?

The thought of maintaining this as a secret was just as frightening. How long can she conceal a pregnancy? And from who? Annie would definitely observe, and if Ethan... Ethan.

Her heart raced at the thought of his name. The dream from last night, if it truly was a dream. This made her mind unsettled.

“This isn’t about him,” she murmured, her voice trembling. “This is my duty.” My issue.

Yet, despite expressing those words, she remained unconvinced. The baby developing within her seemed to be more than simply hers.

****

The following morning, Cecilia attempted to concentrate on her routine, even as her mind was in chaos. She forced herself to take a few bites of breakfast, her stomach protesting at the very scent of food. Annie’s worried eyes tracked her every action.

“Cecilia, are you doing okay?” Annie eventually inquired, placing her coffee cup on the table.

“I’m okay,” Cecilia responded swiftly, managing a smile. "Simply exhausted." "Did not rest properly."

Annie squinted, skeptical. "You appear colorless." "You might be getting sick."

“I’ll be okay,” Cecilia stated confidently, walking past her. "I simply require some fresh air."

She took her coat and walked out, the chilly morning air stinging her cheeks. While she wandered without purpose through the forested edges of Northbrook, her mind drifted back to her situation.

By noon, Cecilia ended up in the gymnasium, trying to divert her attention from the town's noise and hustle. The lively noises of the basketball court surrounded her, yet her thoughts were elsewhere.

Her eyes darted to the locker room doors, a shudder coursing down her back as recollections of Ethan emerged. She hadn't encountered him since their meeting, yet his presence remained like a ghost, following her movements.

"Cecilia?" Annie's voice interrupted, shattering her daydream.

She glanced over to watch her friend coming closer, worry visible on her face. “You vanished from my sight,” Annie remarked, folding her arms. “What’s happening with you?”

"I'm okay," Cecilia fibbed once more, looking away from her friend's eyes.

“No, you aren’t.” Annie seized her arm, compelling her to halt. "You've been behaving oddly since you brought up Ethan." “If there’s anything you’re keeping from me—”

“I told you I’m okay,” Cecilia retorted, pulling back. Annie was taken aback by her outburst, yet the ensuing guilt came almost instantly. "I'm sorry," she said gently, her voice trembling.

Annie exhaled deeply, her face relaxing. "Cecilia, you don’t need to face this alone." "Hope you are aware of that, right?"

Cecilia agreed, although the idea made her throat feel constricted. How would she be able to clarify this?

Later that evening, Cecilia remained in her room, gazing vacantly at the ultrasound image she had slipped into her pocket following her clinic visit. The small life within her was both amazing and frightening.

A sharp ringtone jolted Cecilia out of her thoughts. It was Annie’s phone ringing in the other room.

"Annie, it seems you have a call!" Cecilia called out.

Annie hurried out of the kitchen to check her phone. The caller ID displayed her colleague’s name, Rose.

"Hey, Annie, I’m outside," Rose said over the phone. "The two buildings here look almost identical. Which one is your apartment?"

"Enter the one with the small garden. I’ll meet you there," Annie replied quickly.

Minutes later, Annie stepped outside and collected a package from Rose.

"Do you want to come in and have dinner with us?" I’m almost done preparing it," Annie offered warmly.

"Let me check with my cousin—he’s waiting in the car," Rose responded before heading back to speak with him.

Annie went back to the kitchen to check on her dish while Rose and her cousin entered the house. Cecilia stepped out to welcome their visitors, but she halted abruptly when she noticed who had entered. 

"Ethan!" 

Cecilia’s tone conveyed a blend of astonishment and skepticism. Before her stood Ethan, the most unexpected person she could imagine. 

"What are you doing in my home?" she asked, her face revealing a blend of bewilderment and interest. 

"I—" Ethan started, but before he could continue, Rose interrupted. 

"Wait, you two know each other?" Rose asked, looking from Cecilia to Ethan.

"Something like that," Ethan replied vaguely.

Annie appeared moments later, holding two glasses of juice. She handed them to her guests with a cheerful smile.

"Please make yourselves comfortable while I finish dishing out dinner," Annie said, heading back into the kitchen.

As Annie disappeared, Ethan’s phone buzzed.He apologized and stepped away to answer the call. Upon his return, he inclined toward Rose and murmured something into her ear. Rose's face changed, and she swiftly got to her feet. 

"Annie, we need to leave now," Rose called out. "Something urgent came up, and my cousin needs to be somewhere in thirty minutes. I’m so sorry! I’ll make it up to you another time."

In a flurry, Rose and Ethan left, leaving Annie and Cecilia alone in the apartment.

"They’re gone already?" Annie asked as she returned from the kitchen with the food.

"Yes," Cecilia replied.

"Do you know the guy who came with Rose?"

"No, this is my first time meeting him. Wait a second—don’t tell me you’re starting to like him!" Annie teased. "He’s handsome, though."

"That’s Ethan," Cecilia said quietly. "The same Ethan I told you about—the one I met at the park."

"Seriously?" Annie exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise."Indeed, it seems the Moon Goddess has a talent for uniting individuals!" 

Their discussion was interrupted when Annie’s phone vibrated. It was her cousin, Elena, calling. Annie picked up, only to hear Elena’s voice laced with urgency.

"Annie, have you seen this evening’s news update? I don’t have time to explain. Check your WhatsApp—I’ve forwarded it to you," Elena said.

Annie ended the call and quickly scrolled through her messages.Her eyes grew larger as she read the announcement. 

"Cecilia, come look at this!" she shouted, her voice shaking. 

Cecilia hurried over and looked at the screen. She clapped her hands to her mouth in shock. 

"Who is responsible for this?" she yelled, her tone trembling with a blend of fear and rage. 

The two women remained motionless, their startled eyes fixed on the startling news displayed before them.