Pregnant by my Ex-Boyfriend’s Father

I woke up the next morning sore as hell, my body aching in places I couldn’t explain.The first thing that hit me was the silence, the kind that hums inside your head when you know something’s off.Then the next realization hit harder: I wasn’t home. I was in a hotel room.For a full minute, I just sat there, frozen, the white sheets tangled around me. My heart raced as flashes from last night tried to resurface: Ethan, his betrayal, Chrissy’s laughter, the taste of that burning drink.Then it came, like a film reel I didn’t want to see: being chased, the open door, the stranger with the towel, his voice warning me to leave. My stomach twisted. God, what did I do?There was a strange gap in my memory, like someone had cut out whole scenes from my night. I couldn’t tell who exactly the person I slept with, only that I woke up like this.Still dazed, I looked to the bedside table and saw a folded note.It read:“Don’t get drunk alone like you did last night. Not everyone is as gentle as

The day I’d been waiting for.My first day as a writing intern.I could hardly believe it was happening- me, finally walking into a proper office. I’d never had a white-collar job before; my writing had always been behind a screen, in pajamas, fueled by caffeine. But today felt… different. It felt like a clean slate.I wore a crisp striped shirt tucked into a trendy pencil skirt, paired with nude pumps that gave me just the right height of confidence. My hair was pinned neatly, and a soft red gloss added a subtle glow to my lips.I paused in front of my mirror, taking a long look at the woman staring back. There was something new in her eyes, determination. Fire. I smiled.“I’m proud of you,” I whispered to my reflection before grabbing my bag and heading out.The ride to Voss Publishing was smooth. The city looked softer somehow, like it was cheering me on. When I finally stepped out of the taxi in front of the towering glass building, I had to take a deep breath.Okay, Aria. This is

I rush into the office like I’m being chased by the devil himself.Well, technically, I am, the devil in a tailored shirt with the first three buttons undone.My heart still thunders from that brief elevator ride with him. Alexander Bells. My boss. My ex-boyfriend’s father. The man who shouldn’t make my knees weak, but somehow does just by existing.I drop into my chair, trying to shake off the flush on my cheeks. Before I can even breathe, Lila appears, leaning on my desk with a mischievous grin and a chocolate bar in hand.“Why do you look like you just saw your crush?” she teases, breaking the chocolate in half. “You’re all pink and glowing. Spill, girl.”I force out a nervous laugh. “Who even gets a crush that fast? I only just started this job.”She snorts. “Mhm. Sure. Keep lying to yourself.”“I’m serious,” I say quickly, then lower my voice, pretending to wince. “It’s just my period. My face gets flushed like that sometimes.”Her expression softens. “Oh, girl, same! Mine gets a