[1]

“Give my best friend one month to stay in our house, Love.”

Aurelia had been enjoying her afternoon snack when her husband’s words made her turn toward him. “Stay… with us?”

“Yes.” Ethan stepped closer, taking her hand, his grip gentle but pleading. “Just one month. You heard what Anna told us yesterday about her life, didn’t you? Could you really bear to see her suffer even more? What if her ex-husband comes back and hurts her again? She’s pregnant too—just like you.”

Auri studied her husband’s face, her gaze steady and searching.

“Please,” he asked softly.

She drew a slow breath. The hand that had been resting on the table slipped back into her lap, her fingers lacing together as if holding onto a careful thought.

This wasn’t an easy decision.

Anna was Ethan’s childhood friend. They weren’t particularly close, but Auri had met her a few times before. And yes—Ethan truly cared about her.

“Ethan,” Auri said quietly, her voice still gentle. “I understand Anna’s situation. I really do. But this house… this is our home. We’re also waiting for our child to be born. I’m just afraid—”

“I promise it won’t be long,” Ethan cut in quickly, as if afraid she might finish that sentence. “Just one month. After that, I’ll find a safe place for her.”

Auri looked at him again. She knew that expression—the rare, earnest look he only wore when he truly wanted something.

“I’m not saying no,” she continued carefully. “I just need time to adjust. I’m pregnant too, Ethan. I get tired easily. I don’t want there to be tension in this house. I hope you understand that.”

Ethan nodded, relief flickering across his face when he realized she hadn’t refused outright.

“I know. I’ll make sure Anna doesn’t trouble you.”

The doorbell rang suddenly.

Auri startled, instinctively turning toward the door before looking back at Ethan with a questioning gaze. “Are you expecting someone?” she asked.

Ethan was already on his feet. There was a spark of excitement he didn’t even try to hide.

“That must be Anna.”

“What?” Auri tried to stand, though it took effort. “Now?”

“I asked her to come,” he said. “I thought… it would be better if you talked face to face.”

Before Auri could say anything else, Ethan was already walking toward the door.

When it opened, a woman stood there—her face pale, her body thin, yet her belly noticeably swollen. A small bag hung from her shoulder.

“Ethan,” Anna’s voice trembled.

He immediately pulled her into his arms. “Thank God you arrived safely.”

The sight sent a swirl of emotions through Auri—too tangled to name. She stood frozen, unsure how she was supposed to react.

Anna slowly stepped out of the embrace and only then noticed Auri. Her eyes widened, then filled with tears. “Auri…”

Without waiting for permission, Anna stepped forward and hugged her tightly, her body shaking.

“I’m so sorry,” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry for coming so suddenly. I don’t have anyone else to turn to.”

Auri went still. Her hands hovered awkwardly for a moment before finally lifting to pat Anna’s back softly. Her heart—soft from the very beginning—ached with sudden sympathy.

“Try to relax,” Auri said softly. “Come inside first. Let’s sit down. Ms. Sonia just made chicken soup. Have you eaten yet?”

Once they entered the living room, Anna lowered herself onto the sofa, her head bowing. Her hands trembled as she clutched the hem of her dress.

“I never imagined my life would turn out like this,” Anna sobbed. “Every day I’m forced to work while enduring the pain. He doesn’t care that I’m pregnant. He says I still must earn money.”

Ethan stood beside her, his jaw tightening. “That bastard.”

Anna turned toward him, then slowly rolled up her sleeve. Purple bruises were clearly visible against her skin. She tugged her collar aside slightly, revealing older marks that hadn’t fully healed.

“This… this isn’t even the worst of it,” she said quietly. “Sometimes I can’t even stand. But I still must work. There are days I don’t eat at all.”

Auri covered her mouth, her breath catching. “My God, Anna… and you’re pregnant? How could he still treat you like this?”

Anna’s sobs deepened as she nodded. “The doctor said my condition is getting worse,” she continued. “I’m malnourished. I feel dizzy almost every day. But I don’t have a choice.”

Tears slipped down Auri’s cheeks without her noticing. Sitting beside Anna, she reached out and held her hand. “You shouldn’t have to go through this.”

Anna nodded quickly. “I know. That’s why I feel so ashamed coming here. But I truly didn’t know who else to call, Auri. Ethan is my only hope. I just hope… you’re not angry.”

Ethan looked at Auri, his eyes filled with expectation. “You see it for yourself, don’t you?”

Auri took a long breath. She knew that if she refused now, Anna’s face would haunt her endlessly. Turning to her husband, she finally spoke. “One month,” she said. “No more than that.”

Relief spread across Ethan’s face. “Thank you, Love.”

Anna hugged Auri again, this time more tightly. “I’m so lucky to have you both. Especially you.” She glanced at Ethan. “You’re still the same as you were back then. My guardian angel.”

Ethan brushed a hand over the top of Anna’s head without hesitation. “You never have to doubt me. I’ve told you many times—I’ll help you. No matter what you’re going through.”

“Still, I have to think about your wife’s feelings,” Anna said with a small pout. “You haven’t forgotten you have a wife, have you?”

The words made Auri’s chest feel warm—and yet, strangely unsettled. Ethan smiled faintly and reached for Auri’s hand.

“You look tired,” he said. “I’ll make you some warm tea.”

“No, it’s okay,” Auri replied instinctively.

“I want to do this for you, love,” Ethan insisted with a gentle smile.

Anna watched them with eyes glistening with tears. “You look so happy together.”

Auri offered a faint smile as Ethan headed toward the kitchen. Anna’s gaze lingered on his back for a few seconds before she turned back to Auri.

“You’re very lucky, Auri,” she said, her eyes flicking toward her friend’s wife. Anna smiled—but there was something in that smile, something that carried its own unspoken meaning.

“Lucky… how?” Auri asked, trying to brush aside the sudden wave of unease.

“Lucky to have a husband like my best friend,” Anna replied, her smile never fading. “I hope someday I can be just as lucky as you.”

Auri let out a small laugh. “Yes, you’re right. I’m lucky to have a husband like Ethan.”

“Oh, while I’m staying here, you won’t start thinking that Ethan looks like he has two pregnant wives, will you?”

Auri’s laughter slowly faded.

“I hope you won’t,” Anna added lightly, without a trace of guilt. “But if the three of us go out together… wouldn’t it look exactly like that?”