CHAPTER EIGHT_ Lucian’s POV

Claire was falling asleep beside me when I got the message.

EVA: I just left the clinic. We need to talk today, it’s urgent.

I felt my whole body stiffen.

I stared at the message, as if ignoring it might make it go away.

Claire shifted slightly, her fingers digging into the fabric of my shirt as she slept. For the first time in a long time, her face looked peaceful.

Guilt hit me hard.

I stared at the message again.

‘Urgent’ was Eva's favorite word when she wanted control.

I silenced the phone and stayed staring at the ceiling, inhaling the scent of Claire's shampoo. Her warmth. Her trust.

I had already made a decision.

I would end things with Eva. I had rehearsed the words in my head all day. Tonight, I would put an end to the affair and go home to my wife. To the woman I had chosen, five years ago.

I had promised myself I wouldn't hurt her again.

Yet here I was, already lying by omission.

I carefully disentangled myself from Claire and slipped out of our bed. I dressed without turning on the lights, afraid that I would disturb her sleep.

I told myself I was doing this to protect her… that I’d be back before she woke.

Another lie.

Eva was waiting for me in a private lounge. It was discreet, polished and expensive. The kind of place where secrets were exchanged for service.

She looked radiant_ dressed elegantly with her blonde hair falling perfectly over her shoulders.

Her lips curved into a smile the moment she saw me.

"You're late," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

“This ends tonight,” I replied, skipping pleasantries. “I shouldn’t have come back into your life. That was a mistake.”

Eva’s smile didn’t falter. “You didn’t reply to my message.”

“I read it.” I stated. “Say what you want to say.”

She tilted her head, studying my face, then slowly moved her hand down to her abdomen.

I froze.

“I'm pregnant."

The words landed like a bomb.

For a second, I genuinely thought I hadn’t heard her correctly.

I studied her made up face, searching for any signs that this was all just a big, distasteful joke.

“That's not funny." I finally said.

"I'm not joking." She replied, sliding an envelope across the table. "The doctor confirmed it this morning."

I didn't touch the envelope.

"That’s not possible.” I said quietly, almost like I was trying to convince myself.

Eva leaned forward. "It is. And before you ask me any silly questions; yes. It's yours."

Claire's face flashed in my mind. Her smile this morning, the peace we were rebuilding.

“You're lying.” I said automatically.

Eva laughed softly. “You always say that when you’re scared.” She spoke confidently. “I know you too well, Lucian.”

I finally opened the envelope.

A positive pregnancy test result. The dates aligned perfectly.

My mouth suddenly felt dry. Breathing became difficult.

I dropped the result on the table again, and ran a hand through my hair.

“This doesn’t change anything, I’m married.” I said, trying to appear firm and composed_ everything I wasn’t at the moment.

Eva’s smile sharpened.

“Oh, Lucian," she said gently. "It changes everything."

She continued. “I want stability. I want my child to have a legitimate name. That means you have to choose."

“Choose what?"

“Me or her."

There it was_ the ultimatum.

“I'm married!” I snapped, irritated. "You knew that."

“Yes," she replied. "And she can't give you what I can."

I stood abruptly. "Don't talk about Claire."

Eva's smile faltered.

“I'm not being cruel,” she said. "I’m being realistic. You want a family, you always have. And now you finally have the chance."

I shook my head. "You don't get to decide that."

“I do.” Her voice grew harsh. “Because if you stay married to her, I won't keep the baby."

Alarms blared in my head. The room went silent.

“You're sick.” I said hoarsely.

“I won’t be second place again.” Eva countered sharply.

My voice rose with my temper. “So you’re threatening me?”

“I'm protecting myself! And my child." Eva retorted.

I felt paralyzed.

Claire. A baby. Fear.

Everything was so tangled up, I thought my mind would explode.

“You have until tomorrow.”

My stomach dropped.

“Tomorrow?"

“Tomorrow.” She confirmed. "File for a divorce or I walk away_ and so does the baby.”

“Decide who you want to build a future with. Me and our child... or Claire and her broken body."

I walked away before the pressure would destroy me.

The city lights blurred past my windshield as I drove. My eyes ached terribly from lack of sleep.

Claire’s face wouldn’t leave my mind.

The way she had looked at me that morning… with quiet hope.

The way she had trusted me enough to wait.

If I choose Claire, I would lose a child.

If I choose Eva, I would lose my wife.

For the first time, I could clearly see the truth I had been avoiding:

Either way, I would lose something.

My hands tightened around the steering wheel as Eva’s house came into view. It was a beautiful mansion with white walls, and tall gates_ perfect for a woman of her status.

I sat in my car for longer than I should have.

Then I forced myself out.

Eva opened the door barefoot.

No makeup. No designer dress. Just a loose sweater and soft eyes that almost looked…scared.

For a moment, I barely recognized her.

She looked so calm. So maternal.

“Lucian,” she said quietly, stepping aside to let me into her home. “You came.”

The air smelled faintly of lavender.

The house was calm— too calm. Unlike the Eva I used to know.

And then I saw it;

A small cot in the corner of the living room.

It was new, still wrapped in plastic, waiting to be assembled.

This was getting real.

Eva followed my gaze.

“I didn’t plan this.” She said softly. “I swear.”

She slowly sat on a couch. All her movements were deliberate and careful_ like she knew she was carrying something precious.

And indeed she was.

She was carrying my child.

My dreams.

My legacy.

“I’m scared every day.” She continued. “The press, the judgment. I don’t even know if I’m strong enough.”

Tears gathered in her eyes as she placed her hand over her stomach.

I almost felt sorry for her. It was hard not to, when she looked so vulnerable.

But I also felt trapped.

Cornered by a relationship I didn’t want anymore, and a child I wanted more than anything.

A breath of frustration slipped from my lips. “This isn’t easy for me either.”

“I know,” she said, voice soft. “But I can’t bring a child into a situation where it isn’t wanted.”

“The child is wanted.” I replied immediately.

Eva looked up at me, devastatingly calm.

“Is it?” She asked. “Because from where I’m standing, you’re already doing what your father did.”

The words cut so deep, I felt a chill run down my spine.

“Your father didn’t hit you, Lucian. He just wasn’t there.”

She paused, like she was letting the words sink in. “And that was worse.”

I swallowed hard.

“If you walk away from this child…” Eva continued calmly. “You’ll be just like him.”

The room felt smaller, like the walls were closing in and I would get crushed in a minute.

Eva stood.

“I won’t force you,” she said, taking a step back. “I just won’t bring a child into the world to be abandoned.”

I left without saying another word.

I parked by the side of the road, sitting alone in the darkness, staring at nothing.

For a while, it felt like I could see my mother’s face again. The hospital rooms.

The cruel silence of my father’s absence.

I can survive losing Claire.

I cannot survive becoming him.

Maybe it was the truth. Maybe not.

But this was not the time to take risks.

My phone was in my hand again. I stared at my lawyer’s number.

Then, I thought of Claire’s smile. Of the way she looked at me like I was her home.

I pressed call.

When my lawyer answered, I didn’t say Claire’s name.

I said, “I need to file for divorce.”