CHAPTER 005

LAUREN’S POV

Pregnant.

That word rang in my ears over and over again like a siren. My brain heard it, but my heart… my heart refused to believe it.

I turned slowly, like my whole body had forgotten how to move. My eyes landed on Ethan. He wasn’t looking at me. He was staring at the floor like a boy caught stealing. My lips parted, and my voice came out so weak, I barely recognized it.

“Ethan… is it true?”

I prayed – God, I actually prayed in that second that he would look up and say no. That Sofia was just playing a sick joke. That it was a lie. That he didn’t do this to me. To us. To our daughter.

But he didn’t even lift his head. He didn’t say a single word. His jaw clenched, his eyes flicked to the side like a coward, and in that second… I knew. He didn’t have to say anything. His silence hit harder than a slap.

It was true.

She wasn’t lying. Sofia was actually pregnant with his child. And I...his wife was standing there like a fool. Like a leftover.

Something inside me cracked. I could feel it. It started small, like a pinch in my chest, then it spread like fire across my whole body. My stomach twisted. My throat tightened. My legs felt weak. I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I just… broke quietly.

In a daze, I turned around and walked out of his office. I didn’t say goodbye. I didn’t wait for an explanation. I didn’t even look back.

Each step felt like dragging cement. My heels tapped against the marble floor, too loud in the silence. The hallway spun a little, but I didn’t slow down. I needed to get out. I needed to breathe.

“Ma’am?” Ethan’s secretary stood up as I passed by. Her face looked worried. She probably saw everything. I could see it in her eyes. Pity.

“Are you alright?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My voice had gone missing. I kept walking, fast, like maybe if I moved fast enough, none of this would be real.

I reached the elevator and pressed the button with a shaking hand. But after a second, I stepped away. I couldn’t just stand there. I couldn’t be still. I felt like I was going to explode.

Without thinking, I turned and pushed open the stairwell door. One step. Then another. I gripped the railing like it was the only thing holding me up.

Down. Down. Just keep going down.

I burst through the exit door and into the sunlight. The bright light hit me like a slap. I blinked hard, trying to adjust, but the world kept spinning. I reached into my bag for my car keys. My hands were shaking so much I dropped them.

“No, no, no…” I whispered to myself as I knelt down and picked them up.

I stood there for a second. My car was just a few steps away, but I couldn’t move. My chest was too tight. My breathing too shallow. My body frozen.

I couldn’t drive. I couldn’t even stand up straight. So I walked.

I didn’t know where I was going. I just turned and walked away from the building. Away from Ethan. Away from the woman carrying his child. Away from the life I thought I had.

People passed me on the street. Cars honked. I didn’t see their faces. Didn’t hear their voices. Everything was muffled and distant.

I kept walking.

Her voice kept echoing in my head. “I’m pregnant.”

And him… the man who swore he’d love me forever. The man I gave up my whole career for, picking up extra shifts so he could build the company he dreamed of – Black Enterprise. The same man who kissed my belly when I was pregnant with Elena and whispered, “You’re my home.” He said nothing. Not even I’m sorry. Not even a lie to hold onto.

Just silence.

My feet hurt. My heels rubbed raw against my skin. My blouse clung to my back with sweat. But I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t.

Because if I stopped, I’d have to think. And if I thought, I’d have to feel. And if I felt… I’d fall apart.

I reached a corner and leaned against a lamppost. My hand gripped the cold metal, trying to stay upright.

The world tilted.

My knees buckled a little. I blinked fast. Everything was spinning. My heart pounded in my ears. My stomach turned. I swallowed hard, but it didn’t help.

Then everything went black.

I don’t remember falling. Just that my body gave up. Gave in. But I didn’t hit the ground.

Someone caught me. Strong arms wrapped around me, lifting me gently.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re alright.”

The voice was deep.

My head rested against a chest. I could feel the warmth through his shirt. I wanted to ask who he was. I wanted to see his face.

But I couldn’t open my eyes. I was so tired.

“Stay with me,” he said softly.

I tried to speak, but my lips wouldn’t move. Everything felt heavy. My arms. My legs. Even my tears were stuck.

He carried me. I didn’t know where. I didn’t care.

I let myself go.

All I remember is the way he held me – like I still mattered. Like I wasn’t just someone left behind.