005

🖤 Alexandra 🖤

“Stop looking at me like that, Jayden.”

I didn’t even bother hiding the irritation in my voice as I leaned back against my bed, arms folded tightly across my chest, because this man had been standing there for the past five minutes doing nothing but staring at me like I had suddenly grown a second head.

Everyone else had finally left after I practically chased them out of my room. Dada with his calm but annoying “princely” tone, Papa with his serious face, Michelle and Caleb with their nonsense commentary. I needed space, and for once in my life, I actually got it.

Except…

Jayden.

Of course, he stayed.

Because why wouldn’t he.

He looked miserable. Like actually miserable. You would think he was the one that just got told he was pregnant out of nowhere, not me.

Then again, this is Jayden.

My twin brother. The most emotional human being to ever exist.

Happiness avoids him like it owes him money.

“I’m serious,” I added, narrowing my eyes at him. “You’re starting to look suspicious.”

He finally blinked, like he was coming back to reality, then ran a hand through his hair in that stressed way he always does when something is bothering him.

“I just…” he started, then paused, like he was trying to arrange his thoughts properly. “I wish I could stay and help you navigate this, but—”

That was as far as he got before I burst into laughter.

Not real laughter. Fake laughter. The kind that comes out when something is so ridiculous you don’t even know how else to react.

“Help me?” I repeated, sitting up properly now, staring at him like he had just told me he was the president of the moon. “You want to help me navigate this?”

I pointed at him.

“You?”

He frowned slightly, clearly not amused, but I didn’t care.

“Jayden Fisher Hale wants to help me?” I continued, shaking my head slowly. “Bro, not to brag or anything, but your life needs help navigating more than mine.”

Silence.

Then something unexpected happened.

He smiled. Actually smiled.

And not just smiled, he let out a small laugh, the kind that came with a little shake of his head like he already knew I was going to say something like that.

“Lex,” he said, his voice softer now, “my life needs help navigating.”

I opened my mouth to respond, ready to throw another comment at him, but then I saw it.

The tears.

Sliding down his face.

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Because…

Of course.

Of course he was crying.

This boy cries like it’s a hobby. It’s actually annoying at this point. It’s not like my brother was some cry baby or anything, I’m just that kind of person who can’t stand crying people.

“Seriously?” I muttered under my breath, watching him with a mix of disbelief and irritation. “You’re crying?”

He let out a quiet laugh, wiping his face quickly like he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, but it was already too late. I had seen it.

“What happened now?” I asked, the sharpness in my tone dropping slightly despite myself.

And that was the problem with Jayden.

No matter how chaotic my life was, no matter what nonsense I was dealing with, one look at him looking like that and suddenly my brain decided his problem was more important.

Annoying.

Very annoying. And one thing one certain, it was related to that supernatural world of his again.

“We don’t have to always make everything about me, Lex,” he said quietly, looking at me in that way that made it clear he meant it.

And honestly?

I wanted to.

I wanted to make it about him.

Because that meant I didn’t have to think about my own situation for a few minutes. I didn’t have to think about the headlines, the pregnancy, the unknown man, the fact that my life had turned into a public spectacle overnight.

But of course, life hates me.

“Unfortunately,” I said, letting out a slow breath as I leaned back again, “everything is literally about me right now.”

He didn’t argue with that. Because he couldn’t. Silence settled between us for a moment, not uncomfortable, just… heavy.

Then he spoke again.

“But Lex… are you sure?”

I turned my head slightly, giving him a look.

“Sure about what?”

He hesitated.

And that hesitation alone annoyed me.

“Jayden,” I said slowly, “if you don’t finish that sentence, I’m going to assume you’ve lost your mind completely.”

He exhaled.

“Are you sure you didn’t… sleep with this guy that’s claiming you online?”

There it was.

I stared at him. Because at this point, I was honestly impressed.

Impressed at how everyone in this house had managed to reach the same ridiculous conclusion.

“Stop talking,” I said flatly, already bored of the conversation.

Because what exactly was I supposed to say?

Yes, Jayden, I magically forgot sleeping with a man and now I’m pregnant and engaged without my knowledge.

Does that sound like something I would do?

“Lex, I’m serious,” he continued, stepping closer now, his tone more careful. “This is not something small. The entire world is talking about you right now.”

“I am aware,” I replied dryly.

“And if there’s even a small chance—”

“There is no chance,” I cut in immediately, sitting up straight again, my patience wearing thin. “Zero. None. Not even a little bit. I have never been with that man, whoever he is, and I am not pregnant.”

He watched me carefully.

Too carefully.

Like he was trying to read something in my face.

“I believe you,” he said finally.

That made me pause.

Because that?

That was unexpected.

I studied his expression for a second, trying to see if he was just saying it to calm me down, but no… he meant it.

Of course he did.

He’s my twin.

He’s my twin. He knows me… but not completely.

“You better,” I muttered, looking away slightly.

Another small silence passed, but this time it felt different. Less tense. Less chaotic.

Then Jayden spoke again, and this time his voice carried something else.

Something… practical.

“Then you need proof.”

I looked at him.

“I already went to the hospital,” I pointed out.

“With Papa and Dada involved,” he replied immediately. “That doesn’t count.”

I frowned slightly.

Okay…

That was… actually a valid point.

“I’m not saying they’re lying,” he continued quickly. “But this situation is already too strange. You need something that is completely independent. Something only you know about.”

I didn’t respond immediately. Because for the first time since this entire madness started…

Something made sense.

“Lex,” he added, his tone softer now, “I think you should take another pregnancy test. Without them knowing.”

I blinked.

Slowly. Then leaned back against the bed again, my eyes drifting slightly as my mind started working.

Because…

Yes.

That made sense.

Too much sense, actually.

If this was a mistake, then I would confirm it myself.

If this was a setup…

Then I needed to know exactly how deep it went.

“And where exactly do you expect me to get that from?” I asked after a moment, raising an eyebrow at him.

He didn’t even hesitate.

“I’ll get it.”

I looked at him again.

Properly this time.

“You?” I said, clearly doubtful.

“Yes, me,” he replied, a small smile forming on his face. “Relax, I’m capable of doing one useful thing.”

I let out a quiet huff.

“That’s debatable.”

He ignored that.

“I’ll get it discreetly,” he continued. “No one will know. Not Papa, not Dada, not even your little gossip partners.”

I considered it.

Because right now, I had two options.

Sit here and keep arguing with everyone while my life burns publicly.

Or…

Take control.

And I don’t sit back and watch things happen to me.

I make things happen.

“Fine,” I said finally, nodding once. “Go.”

He blinked.

“That was easy.”

“Don’t get used to it,” I replied immediately. “And if you mess this up—”

“I won’t,” he cut in, already heading toward the door.

He paused for a second, turning back to look at me, and for a brief moment, that emotional expression returned to his face.

“Lex… we’ll figure this out.”

I didn’t respond.

I just watched him.

Because I wasn’t sure if I believed that.

He gave me one last look, then left, closing the door behind him. Knowing Jayden, something would come up. It always does. Some emergency, some chaos, something that suddenly becomes more important.

That’s just how his life works.

And honestly?

I don’t have the luxury of waiting around for him.

I dropped the phone beside me and leaned back against the bed, my gaze drifting to the ceiling as my mind shifted back to the actual problem.

I’m not about to wait around and have the twin, that always treat me like someone that deserves attention when he dim fit, to solve my problem.