Selina’s POVEvery day, Sebastian does something for me. He’s been showing up before the bakery opens, fixing things I didn’t even know needed fixing. He handles the deliveries, always takes the time to speak with customers, and every morning he leaves a cup of coffee on my counter. I feel it in everything he does. The care, the thought, the quiet affection he gives without expecting anything in return.And I can’t bring myself to thank him for it.Because every time I look at him, a wall rises up inside me. It’s not because I don’t want him around. I do. I want him here more than anything. But I can’t tell him. I can’t tell him that there’s something bigger than me between us now—a child we created.The guilt is eating me alive.Little by little, I’m starting to appreciate everything he’s doing for me and how much he genuinely wants to fix things between us. He doesn’t stop. He doesn’t give up. And honestly, I’m starting to feel like maybe… maybe I want to forgive him too—I just don’
Sebastian’s POVI can’t help it. I don’t trust myself to stay away from her, not when she’s hiding something—when I know she is. Something she’s keeping from me, something I’m not part of, something that shouldn’t be a secret.I’ve tried to tell myself it’s not my business, that she’s entitled to her privacy. But I can’t stop watching her. I can’t stop following her. I have to know. For her safety. I tell myself that every time I see her slip away to somewhere I can’t follow. The worst part? She doesn’t even know I’m doing it.I think of the day she went to the doctor. I watched her walk into that clinic, the soft curve of her back hidden beneath a long coat. What was she doing there? Was she sick? I hate the idea of her suffering alone, without me there to hold her hand, to take care of her like she deserves.But I can’t ask. Not when I don’t know what she’s hiding. I can’t. It would only drive her farther away.So, I waited. Watched from a distance, like some kind of stranger, when
I don’t expect anyone to be at the bakery this early, but as I walk up to the front, the lights are on. My staff must have opened up early. That’s rare, but I’m too tired to question it.I pause before opening the door, inhaling the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread and vanilla. It usually comforts me.I push open the door, and the little bell jingles. I expect to see one of my employees behind the counter, but instead, I see him—standing there, holding two cups of coffee, waiting for me.It’s Sebastian, of course.He turns at the sound of the bell. There’s something so steady about his gaze, so intentional.“You’re here early,” I say. I’m still not sure how to navigate this—us, whatever this is now.He lifts one of the cups. “I made you coffee.”I glance at my staff, who are busy prepping in the kitchen, pretending not to listen. I take the cup hesitantly.“You got here before me,” I say, eyeing him. “How?”“Your staff let me in.” He shrugs, like it’s not a big deal. “Told them I ha
The cemetery is quiet as I settle on the stone bench beside my mother’s grave. I don’t really know why I came here tonight. Maybe I just needed to be somewhere that made sense.I set down the grocery bags beside me, pulling out a bag of cookies and a small tub of strawberries. Not exactly a proper meal, but it’s what I want to eat now. I pop a strawberry into my mouth.I look at the headstone. “Hey, Mom. It’s been a while.”I pull out a chocolate bar and break off a piece. “You always said chocolate fixes everything.” I place a small piece on the headstone, pretending she could still share snacks with me.The crunch of footsteps in the snow made me turn. I already know who it is before she speaks.“You have got to be kidding me.” Celine’s voice is amused. “You’re having picnic. In a cemetery.”I sigh, shoving another cookie in my mouth. “Not a picnic. Just… eating.”She steps closer, hands in the pockets of her coat. “Eating. At night. In the snow. In front of a gravestone.”I roll my
Selina’s POVI have my first real check-up today.Alone.I can handle this. Right?I take a deep breath and push through the clinic doors. The scent of antiseptic and lavender air fresheners fills my nose as I check in at the front desk.“Selina Everhart?” the nurse calls, offering me a warm smile.“That’s me.” I stand, my hand at my stomach. It’s still flat, but I know my baby is there. I know it because I feel different. Because I wake up every day thinking about something bigger than myself.“This way, please.”I follow her into the small exam room. The walls are painted soft blue, probably meant to be calming, but nothing can settle the nerves dancing under my skin.The doctor walks in moments later, a woman with kind eyes and short-cropped silver hair. “Selina, it’s good to see you again. How are you feeling?”“Uh… fine. I think? Just tired. And hungry. All the time.” I try to laugh.She smiles knowingly. “That’s normal. Let’s check on your little one, shall we?”I nod. She gestu
Sebastian’s POVI feel it. I don’t know what it is, but it’s there, lurking just beyond my reach. Selina is hiding something from me. I can’t put my finger on it, but I know her too well. I can see it in the way she holds herself, in the way she avoids certain questions, in the way her smile doesn’t quite meet her eyes anymore. She’s always been good at hiding things, but this feels different.She’s always had her secrets, little things she keeps tucked away, but this? This is something else. It’s like she’s building walls around herself, brick by brick. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t break through.Is it Victor? I’ve thought about that a lot, but no… I don’t think it’s him. She’s moved on from him, or at least, that’s what I keep telling myself. Her eyes don’t soften when she talks about him anymore. So it can’t be him. But what is it then?Every time I look at her, I get this feeling, like there’s a knot forming inside me. I don’t know what it is yet, but it’s like a warning,