Sophia's POV
As I return home, a wave of desolation washes over me. Alexander's absence is palpable, and I find myself longing for his company. Surprisingly, his presence has grown on me, and I enjoy the moments we spend together. My hand instinctively rests on my stomach, where a ti⁵ny life may already be taking shape. The thought fills me with both excitement and a twinge of sadness, knowing that our paths will diverge once I give birth.
I can't help but question Alexander's ability to care for our child. He's a man who doesn't even want to get married, and I wonder if he truly understands the responsibilities that come with parenthood. But then again, I remind myself that our arrangement is merely a contract. It is not my place to worry about his intentions or his capabilities as a father. I must focus on fulfilling my part of the agreement and providing a safe and healthy environment for our child.
Deep down, though, I can't help but wonder if there's more to our connection than just a contractual arrangement. Alexander's actions and concern for my well-being go beyond what is required. There's genuine care and warmth in his eyes that I can't ignore. But I must not allow myself to be swayed by these feelings. Our paths are destined to diverge, and I must come to terms with that reality.
I recall the reasons Alexander shared for entering into this arrangement—the promise he made to his grandfather. It's a noble gesture, but I can't help but feel a pang of sadness, thinking about the temporary nature of our connection. It's as if a beautiful bond is forming between us, only to be severed once the child is born.
As I step into the house, I'm surprised to see Tyler and Jake standing outside, looking concerned. I call out to them, asking where they're going and why they seem so worried. Their expressions instantly shift from concern to relief as they realize I'm back.
Tyler speaks up first, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and annoyance. "Sophia, where have you been? We've been looking for you since the afternoon. You were supposed to be back from your lectures."
Jake jumps in with an angry tone. "Yeah, you can't just disappear like that. Where have you been wandering around? Didn't you see it's getting late!?"
I'm taken aback by Jake's anger. I know he's just concerned about my safety, but his tone catches me off guard. I take a deep breath, trying to remain calm and explain myself. "I'm sorry, guys. I just needed some fresh air and took a little longer outside. I didn't mean to worry you."
Tyler steps in, trying to diffuse the tension. "Okay, let's not get too worked up about it. Sophia's back now, and she's safe. No harm done. Right, Sophia?"
I nod, grateful for Tyler's intervention. "Exactly. I apologize for making you worry, Jake. I appreciate your concern for me."
Jake huffs, still a bit annoyed, but I can see the anger in his eyes fading. He mutters something under his breath and heads inside his room. Although his initial reaction was intense, I know deep down that he's just looking out for me.
Tyler pats my shoulder reassuringly and guides me into the house. "Don't mind him, Sophia. He's just being Jake. Let's go inside and relax. We were genuinely worried about you, you know."
I smile gratefully at Tyler, feeling a sense of comfort in his presence. "Thank you, Tyler. I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I appreciate your concern, both of you."
With no classes today, I finally have some time to relax at home. I decided to call my mother and catch up on the latest news from home. As the call connects, her familiar voice fills my ears, and I can't help but feel a surge of comfort.
"Hey, Mom," I greet her warmly. "How's everything back home? How's Dad doing?"
Her voice carries a hint of relief as she responds, "Oh, Sophia, your father is getting better. The doctors say he's responding well to the treatment. We're hopeful that he'll recover soon."
A sigh of relief escapes my lips. It's been a challenging time for my family, especially with my father's health concerns. Knowing that he's on the road to recovery eases some of the worry in my heart.
"That's great news, Mom," I reply, a genuine smile forming on my face. "Please send my love to Dad and let him know that I'm thinking of him."
"I will, dear," she assures me. "But tell me, why do you sound a little off? Is everything alright?"
Her words catch me off guard, and I glance at my reflection in the mirror nearby. I have noticed a slight change in my appearance lately—the paleness, the weight loss. These changes have raised concerns in the back of my mind, but I haven't fully confronted them yet.
I take a moment to gather my thoughts before responding, "I'm fine, Mom. Just a little tired, I guess. The college has been keeping me busy, and I've been trying to balance everything."
My mother's intuition kicks in, and she probes further, "Are you sure that's all, Sophia? You know you can tell me anything. Have you been taking care of yourself?"
Her gentle concern warms my heart, and I feel a lump forming in my throat. I can't bring myself to tell her the truth just yet, not until I have some certainty myself. So, I give her a vague but reassuring response, hoping to ease her worries.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll take some vitamins and make sure to rest properly. I promise I'll look after myself," I assure her, hoping my words will provide her with some solace.
She sighs, a mix of relief and concern evident in her voice. "Alright, Sophia. Just remember to prioritize your well-being. Your studies are important, but your health comes first. I'm here for you, no matter what."
Tears well up in my eyes as her words hit me with a profound sense of love and support. "Thank you, Mom. I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart," she replies softly. "Take care of yourself, and remember, we're just a phone call away."
We exchange a few more words, and then the call comes to an end. I sit in silence for a moment, reflecting on the conversation. My mother's concern mirrors the worries I've been harboring about my own health. Could it be that the changes I've noticed are a result of pregnancy?
As I stand up to get a glass of water, I suddenly feel sick to my stomach. I lurch forward and then it happens—I throw up, right there on the floor. I'm shocked and confused, wondering what could be causing this.
Feeling a sense of urgency, I reach for my phone and quickly dial Alexander's number. He answers on the first ring, his voice filled with concern. "Sophia, what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Struggling to catch my breath, I reply, "Alexander, something's not right. I just got really sick, and I don't know why."
His voice remains calm but urgent. "Do you have a pregnancy test with you? We need to check if that could be the cause."
My heart skips a beat as his words sink in. A pregnancy test? Could it be possible? I pause for a moment, then nod even though he can't see me. "Yes, I have one."
"Good," he says, his voice comforting yet focused. "Take the test right away and let me know the results. I'll be there as soon as I can."
Hanging up the phone, I feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety. I quickly retrieve the pregnancy test from the bathroom cabinet, my hands trembling as I follow the instructions. Minutes feel like hours as I wait for the result to appear.
Just as the test begins to show its answer, the sound of voices reaches my ears. I realize that my roommates, Tyler and Jake, are in the living room. Panic surges through me—I hadn't expected them to be there, and I don't want them to overhear my conversation with Alexander.
Frantically, I grab the test and rush to my room, closing the door behind me. I take a deep breath and finally look at the result. Positive. The small plus sign stares back at me, confirming my suspicions.
Before I can process the magnitude of this revelation, I hear a knock on my door, followed by Alexander's voice calling out, "Sophia, are you in there? I came as soon as I could."
My heart skips a beat as I realize that Alexander must have grown concerned when he didn't immediately hear from me. Without hesitation, I open the door, revealing a worried expression on his face.
He scans the room quickly, his eyes locking on the pregnancy test still clutched in my hand. His concern deepens, and he takes a step closer, his voice filled with urgency. "Sophia, what did the test say? Are you...?"
Before he can finish his sentence, my roommates, Tyler and Jake, who had followed Alexander to my room, exchange bewildered glances. They clearly catch sight of the pregnancy test in my hand, and their eyes widen in surprise.