MasukHappy Reading☺️
The city moved past the tinted windows of my car that morning, but I barely noticed it. My thoughts were still at home—with Claire and the tiny life growing inside her. Our child. I still couldn’t quite believe it. Every time I thought about it, something unfamiliar settled in my chest. Joy. Pure, overwhelming joy. Claire was going to be a mother. And I was going to be a father. I found myself smiling. A ridiculous smile, one I don’t think I had worn in years. I imagined a nursery. I further imagined Claire standing in the middle of it, complaining that I had bought too many things—I already knew I would. I imagined tiny clothes hanging in a closet. I wanted to build the crib myself. I imagined small hands, tiny feet… Maybe a daughter. The thought made my smile deepen. Then I remembered the ultrasound image Claire had shown me. The tiny shape in the picture. My child—our child. An ugly memory resurfaced—Eva. The fake pregnancy. The fake ultrasound
To my surprise, Nathaniel showed up at my office later that afternoon. “What are you doing here?” I asked as I looked up from my computer, and a grin took over my face. He held up a small paper bag. “I come bearing gifts.” I stared at it. “What kind?” “Food.” I smiled. “You’re bringing me food?” “I assume you’re going to need it now.” I froze—then a smile formed very slowly. His eyebrows rose. “How did you know?” I asked. He stared at me. I laughed, instinctively placing one hand on my stomach. “I haven’t told you yet.” I watched Nathaniel’s green eyes go wide. “You’re pregnant?” I nodded. His face broke into the biggest smile. “Oh my God, Claire.” He walked toward me. “Claire!” He hugged me very tightly. I laughed. “Careful!” Nathaniel immediately loosened his arms. “Sorry.” Then he looked at me suspiciously. “Wait a minute.” I frowned. “What?” He pointed at my stomach. “How do we know it’s not mine?” I stared at him for a second. “Nathan
By the time I arrived at Sinclair & Co., the building was already buzzing with activity. We were going back to court in two days. After the two week break from the case, everyone was working twice as hard to make sure we were ready for court. Files were being reviewed, witness statements were being organized and all the lawyers involved were going over every piece of evidence we had gathered against Eva. Hart Sullivan had become unexpectedly useful. Since agreeing to cooperate, he had been working closely with our legal team. His information had helped us fill in gaps we hadn’t known existed. Dates, names, messages and even places. Everything he knew about Eva’s schemes was slowly becoming another piece of the case. For the first time, I felt like we weren’t simply reacting to Eva anymore. We were building something concrete that could finally bring her down. I walked toward Margot’s office. Before I could knock, her voice came from inside. “Come in!” She must
Lucian got out of bed. I watched him walk toward the window. For a few seconds, he said nothing. His back was rigid, his hands were planted against the window frame. “Lucian.” I called after a moment. He turned around. “They know.” The words sent a chill through me. “I know.” “They know about the baby.” I nodded. “That’s what scares me.” He walked back toward me. “Why didn’t you tell me yesterday?” “I didn’t want to ruin our night.” I stated. “You should have told me.”I rolled my eyes trying my best not to get annoyed. “I know.” He sat beside me. His anger softened when he saw my face. “I’m not angry at you.” “I know.” “I just…” He paused, then let out a frustrated breath. “I don’t like the idea of someone following you.” “Neither do I.” Obviously. “And taking photographs of you.” “I know.” He looked at my flat stomach, then back at me. “Especially now.” I reached for his hand. “I was as careful as possible.” “How?” “My car.”
I woke up slowly. For a few seconds, I didn’t know where I was. Until I felt the warmth beside me. I opened my eyes to see Lucian still asleep beside me.His face was turned slightly toward me, his dark hair messy against the pillow. I smiled. Yesterday came rushing back to me—the ultrasound, Lucian’s stunned expression, the tear that had slipped down his cheek, his arms around me. The memory of how he had carried me like I was the most precious thing in the world, and his voice when he had promised to protect me... to protect our baby. I placed a hand over my stomach. There was still nothing to feel—nothing to see. But I knew there was a tiny life inside me. Our baby. I couldn’t stop smiling. I turned onto my side and watched Lucian sleep. It was strange seeing him this peaceful. The man who carried the weight of a company like Dhark Holdings on his shoulders looked completely different when he slept. Younger. Softer. Almost boyish. His hand suddenly mo
Lucian stared at me. I had never seen him look so completely lost. His fingers tightened around the ultrasound photograph. “You’re…” His voice cracked. He swallowed, and tried again. “You’re pregnant?” I nodded. “Six weeks.” His eyes dropped to the photograph again. “Six weeks,” he repeated. I watched the realization slowly settle over him. The man who could negotiate billion-dollar deals without blinking suddenly looked like he had forgotten how to form a sentence. “Six weeks,” he said again. I laughed softly through my tears. “Yes.” Lucian looked at me again. And then something happened that I had never expected. A tear slipped down his cheek. My heart shattered. I had never seen Lucian cry. “Lucian…” He quickly wiped it away, almost embarrassed. “I don’t…” He laughed softly. “I don’t even know why I’m crying.” I stepped closer. “I think it’s because you’re happy.” He stared at me, then he pulled me into his arms. I barely had time to laugh be







