The longest three minutes of my life.
I don't look. Can't look. Just sit on the edge of the bathtub and try to breathe.
Please be negative. Please please please—
My phone timer goes off.
I look.
Two pink lines.
Positive.
The world tilts. I grip the sink, stare at my reflection—pale skin, wide eyes, the face of a woman whose life just imploded.
Pregnant.
I'm pregnant with Axel Santego's baby.
A man I spent just a few days with. A man I'll never see again.
What the hell am I supposed to do?
I could get rid of it. There are doctors who handle these things discreetly and won't ask questions if the price is right.
But even as I think it, I know I won't.
This baby—Axel's baby—is the only piece of him I have left. And the truth is, I can’t bring myself to end a part of myself. This child is half me and half Axel.
You're an idiot.
I know.
But I can't—
A knock on my door makes me jump.
"Aurora?" Dad's voice. "You in there?"
Shit.
I shove the test in my pocket, flush the toilet for cover. "Yeah, just a second!"
I wash my hands. Check my reflection. Force my expression to be neutral, step out of the bathroom, and walk to my bedroom door.
Dad's standing there in his suit, looking annoyed. "Dr. Volkov's here for your checkup."
"What checkup?"
"One I’m sure you need." He's already turning, expecting me to follow. "Come on. He's waiting in the study."
No no no—
"Dad, I don't need a checkup. I'm fine—"
"Humor me." He pauses and looks back. "You've been looking pale, fatigued, and you've lost your appetite. I want to make sure it's not what your mother felt when she was pregnant."
There's no arguing with him when he's like this. I follow him downstairs, my heart hammering so hard I'm surprised he can't hear it.
