ChristinaThey say babies start moving around the sixteenth week—sometimes later if it’s your first pregnancy.But mine started earlier.And ever since I moved into this house… I swear I feel my baby more.Like it knows. Like it reacts to him.I was lying on my bed, reading, when the door creaked open.My stomach dropped. I didn’t even need to look up. I already knew who it was.Shit. I shoved the book under the quilt. I should’ve remembered Hunter could walk into any damn room he wanted.He stepped in quietly and closed the door behind him with that soft click that always made me tense.His steps were slow, deliberate.“You’re still awake?” His voice was low. Rough from exhaustion. He sat down beside me. Close enough that the bed dipped under his weight. “Were you waiting for me?”I pushed the book further. now half under my thigh. I kept my expression blank.“Why would I?” I said flatly. “Why are you even here?”I needed him gone.Before he caught what I was reading.Before he notic
HunterThe moment I stepped out of the hospital, I rubbed my face with both hands. I wanted to slap myself just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.Christina was back.Finally.I’d been tired of pretending. Pretending I didn’t care. pretending I had accepted her walking away with that bastard.I never would. Not in this life.And now she was here again, under the same roof, breathing the same air.Even if it was just for two weeks, it felt like the universe had given me another chance.She said yes.That was enough.For the first time in months, I felt alive.I didn’t want to push too hard, not yet.I’d make her comfortable, lower her guard, remind her what it used to feel like when she belonged to me.And once I got that part of her back, I wasn’t ever letting go.The next morning, Dad came home from the hospital. The whole family sat together for breakfast like some perfect picture.Melania brought in the food. Brekkie rolls and bacon, Christina’s favorite.“It’s good to see everyone to
Christina"Chris…" Hunter’s voice was desperate. His breath ghosted against my skin. "I’ll do anything you say. Anything. Just say yes."He leaned closer. Too close. And for one terrifying second, I thought I might.Then his phone rang.Alina.Of course.He rubbed his temple and answered. His tone dropped an octave, calm. Like I’d just vanished from his world again.I turned my face away, choking on relief and something bitterer.The car rolled into the hospital parking lot.I didn’t wait for him and stepped out of his car. I rushed inside with an urge to escape.Mom stood in the hallway. Her eyes were swollen. Her face was blotchy.The moment she saw me, she broke. Her hands clamped to my top and she sobbed over my shoulder.She looked scared."Last evening.. he was just—" Her lips trembled.I’d never seen Mom this shattered. After everything she’d endured with my father, the years of bruises, the silence uncle Carter had pieced her back together. He’d been her calm after the storm.
Christina“I’m sorry, Asher…” My voice shook as I pressed my palms to my temples. Panic crawled under my skin. “It happened because of me.”Asher had just lost his job at the café. Not only that—his boss accused him of extortion.Extortion. I could still hear the way the man spat the word.“It’s okay, Chris.” Asher’s voice was calm, almost too calm. “It’s not your fault.”But it was. God, it was.Hunter. I knew it was Hunter. I dared him to hurt Asher physically, so instead he ripped the ground out from under him.I never should’ve dragged Asher into this. Not when I knew exactly how low Hunter would sink when it came to me.“How much?” My throat burned. “How much did you have to pay him?”“Four grand.” Asher tried to smile but it was a pitiful. “Dad’s going to kill me.”I dug into my bag and pulled out the envelope I never touched—my savings. Money for the baby. Seven months left, but I could save again before then.“Chris…” His brows furrowed as I shoved the cash at him. “This is yo
Hunter"Hunter Greyson."My name hit the air and I pushed inside.The office smelled of antiseptic. A young woman sat behind the desk, smile neat. Her eyes curious.She glanced at my clothes and something lit in her stare.I used to be the man who turned heads the moment I walked into a room. People watched me. Wanted me. My presence always swallowed the air.But now?It burned worse than hell when Christina passed me like I was invisible. I stood outside her hostel for hours, waiting. Hoping. Begging for a single look.She never gave me one. Not even a flicker.Like I wasn’t worth her eyes anymore.And that hurt more than any fist I’d ever taken to the face."Sleeplessness. Hallucinations. No sexual erection for a month." Her gaze flicked low.She scanned my file. "What triggered all this? women?""Woman. Her. Only her."The last morning had already gutted me. The moment I heard she moved on, the world split in half."I can’t forget her. No matter what I do. I need her."Once I thoug
ChristinaWhen my eyes opened, a strange fragrance slipped into my lungs.Chaos followed it, loud and constant, the kind I had grown used to. Every morning now, I woke up to noise—not because of the hostel, but because of the man who lived across from it.But something felt off.I pushed off the blanket and glanced at the balcony. Empty. Shasha and Lena weren’t there.My brows furrowed.The noise wasn’t in the room. It came from outside.I rushed to the door and froze.My breath hitched. Roses. The entire hallway was drowned in red, pink, white, and yellow roses.Bouquets were stacked against the walls and spilt into every inch until there was no space to walk.“Wow… they’re California roses,” a girl whispered.“They cost a fortune.” Another gasped.“Why is his girlfriend even in this cheap hostel when he’s obviously loaded?”Girls peeked out from their doors, whispering, giggling, and blushing. The air was thick with perfume and envy.“Your boyfriend slash stepbrother did it,” Shasha