Chapter 3

The next morning, Marco was already there when I arrived. Somehow, he always was.

A thermos of tea in one hand, a paper bag of breakfast in the other. like he knew what I needed before I even did. He always stopped by before work to bring me something warm. Something comforting.

“Good morning,” he said softly. “I brought your favorites.”

I forced a smile, staring at the floor. “Thanks… Marco. Really.”

He stepped closer, slow and careful, like I might break if he moved too fast.

“Do you have any cravings? Anything you want?” he asked gently.

I hugged myself tighter, wishing my office chair could swallow me whole.

“You shouldn’t care. I’m… complicated.”

“You’re not complicated,” he murmured. “You’re scared. And you don’t have to face it alone. I’ll be here. Always. I understand why you’re acting this way.”

Part of me wanted to collapse into him and sob.

Part of me wanted to shove him away so he wouldn’t see me fall apart.

Somehow, I did both.

And then I felt it.

A presence behind the glass wall. A stare that made my blood run cold.

Ethan.

He stood leaning casually against the boardroom window. Silent. Still. Watching.

He saw everything. the way I flinched when Marco touched my hand, my instinctive palm resting over my stomach, the way I avoided looking his way.

My chest tightened. I tried to focus on Marco, on his warmth, the quiet safety he offered but Ethan’s stare cut through me like a blade.

He knew something was off. He could feel it.

“Katya,” Marco whispered, “look at me.”

I met his eyes. full of worry, patience, love. It made my heart ache painfully.

“I… I can’t,” I whispered.

Marco nodded slowly, unshaken. “Even if the baby isn’t mine, I’ll take care of you,” he said firmly. “I’m here. No matter what.”

“I messed everything up, Marco. I don’t even know how to look at you. Just… go to work.”

“Okay,” he said calmly. “I just wanted to bring you breakfast. I’ll pick you up later.”

---

By midday, my hands were trembling. My stomach churned. Every time I glanced at the glass, every subtle shift of Ethan’s posture made my heart hammer.

Then it happened.

He stood and walked toward the elevator. Slow. Confident. Like someone who knew exactly the effect he had on a room.

And on me.

Marco returned again for lunch, routine and reliable as ever.

He squeezed my hand gently. “Something bothering you?”

“No,” I lied.

He thought I was overworked. Exhausted. He didn’t know the life growing inside me was Ethan’s. The secret flipping my world upside down. The truth I wasn’t ready to say out loud. not to him, not to anyone.

He poured me tea, made sure I’d eaten, brushed my arm when he thought I didn’t notice. Every gentle gesture clawed at my chest, made my throat burn with guilt.

“Eat,” he whispered, placing food on my desk.

“You need your strength.”

I picked at the salad, hands shaking.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not,” he said quietly, kneeling slightly to level with me.

“Talk to me. Please.”

My throat closed. I wanted to tell him.

I almost did.

But I couldn’t. It wasn’t his fault. He didn't deserve to drown in my mess.

“I just have a lot on my mind,” I muttered. “Deadlines. Work. Go back. We have a new boss — it’s not appropriate for you to keep coming here.”

“I asked Mr. Dawson before,” he said. “He allowed me to check on you.”

“His son runs the company now.”

My voice shook as I pushed his hand away.

I couldn’t handle Marco’s kindness and Ethan’s stare at once.

Through the glass, I caught Ethan’s reflection.. arms crossed, watching quietly. he looks calm but unreadable.

He didn’t move. He didn’t need to. His presence alone suffocated me.

Marco squeezed my hand again. “Are you sure you’re okay? We can go to the hospital.”

“I’m fine,” I choked out. “You don’t have to worry.”

But inside, fear twisted tight in my gut.

What if Ethan found out?

Would he accept the baby?

Demand I get rid of it?

Or worse take the child from me?

Rumors followed him like shadows.

No attachments. No commitments. Cold to any woman claiming to carry his child.

He wouldn’t just demand answers.

He would take everything.

I pressed my forehead to the desk, whispering, “No one can know. Not Ethan. Not anyone.”

Marco didn’t push. He just stayed close loyal, patient, painfully oblivious to the knife-edge my life was balancing on.

"I have to go now, take care please" marco said as he wen't out of his office.

And Ethan?

He lingered just out of my vision, silent as a predator waiting to pounce.

Caught between two men. one who loved me, and one who could destroy me with a single truth. I felt smaller than I ever had.

And the most terrifying part was the truth I couldn’t escape:

I didn’t just fear Ethan Dawson.

A part of me… wanted him.