Skip to content
Novel Catalog
The sharp click of the door echoed in the otherwise quiet room as Adrian stepped inside, his presence commanding. His gaze locked onto Eva, who was standing by the desk, her hand still resting on her belly. A flash of surprise crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with a neutral expression.
Adrian’s sharp eyes studied her for a moment, noting her tired demeanor and the way she instinctively touched her stomach. He didn’t say anything right away, just silently observed her, the weight of his gaze making Eva feel more self-conscious than usual. She had been so preoccupied with everything else that she hadn’t even noticed how worn out she looked.
“What’s going on, Eva?” Adrian’s voice cut through the silence, low and direct, his tone hinting at something deeper, something he wasn’t saying.
Eva blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. She had been caught off guard by his sudden appearance, but she couldn’t allow herself to falter. The last thing she wanted was for him to see her weakness.
“I’m fine, Adrian,” she replied quickly, but her voice didn’t sound as convincing as she hoped. “Just a little tired, that’s all.”
Adrian didn’t seem convinced. His eyes flicked to her belly, and then back to her face, his expression unreadable. “Is it the baby?” His words were softer now, almost like he was trying to read between the lines.
Eva’s breath caught in her throat, a wave of unease settling in her chest. She had never talked about the pregnancy with him—hadn’t even planned to. But now, standing in front of him, the truth felt so palpable, so raw.
“It’s fine,” she said again, her voice firm, though her hands trembled slightly as she tucked them into the folds of her blouse. “I just need to rest a bit.”
Adrian didn’t move immediately, his gaze still intense, as if he was weighing her words against what he saw. After a moment, he stepped closer, his presence filling the room. Eva took a small step back, instinctively putting distance between them, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“You should’ve told me sooner, Eva,” Adrian said, his voice no longer as cold but still carrying an undertone of something unspoken. “You’re not alone in this. You don’t have to keep everything to yourself.”
The words stung, though Eva didn’t show it. I’ve never been alone, she thought bitterly, but I’ve always been kept at arm’s length.
But despite her inner turmoil, she managed a small smile. “I’m not alone,” she said quietly. “But sometimes, it’s better this way.”
Adrian’s expression faltered for just a second, a flicker of something fleeting in his eyes before he masked it again with a stoic mask. He seemed to consider her words carefully before nodding slowly.
“Get some rest, then,” he said, his voice softer now, almost gentle. “I’ll handle things for you. You don’t have to do everything yourself.”
Eva looked at him for a long moment, uncertain of what to say or how to feel. But the exhaustion was starting to weigh on her, the mix of emotions too overwhelming to bear any longer. He doesn’t really understand, does he? she thought.
“Thank you,” she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Adrian’s gaze softened, though he didn’t speak. Instead, he turned to leave, his footsteps echoing in the silence behind him. Eva watched him go, the emptiness of the room suddenly feeling more suffocating than before.
As soon as the door clicked shut, she let out a long, shaky breath, her body slumping against the desk. The emotions she had been keeping at bay now surged to the surface. What was I even expecting from him? she wondered. He’s always been distant.
But then she placed her hand over her belly again, the gentle reminder of the new life growing inside her, and a small, tired smile crept onto her lips. No matter what happens with Adrian or Vivian or anyone else, I have something worth fighting for now.
With that thought, she finally allowed herself to leave the office behind, heading for the rest she desperately needed.
