Olivia's heart raced as she stepped into the venue, her hand clasped tightly around Emma's. The large hall was buzzing with excitement, flashing lights from cameras, and the murmur of the press eager for a glimpse of the power couple. But Olivia wasn't focused on the sea of reporters or the constant clicking of photographs. Her eyes were searching for the one person who mattered the most—Ethan.
Amidst the crowd, she spotted him. Ethan Pierce, the man she fell deeply in love with, walked through the throng of people with effortless grace. His gaze locked with hers, and as he approached, the world seemed to blur around them. Whispering softly so only she could hear, he said, "You look beautiful," before leaning in to kiss her cheek, not caring that they were surrounded by cameras and onlookers.
A small smile played on Olivia's lips, her heart warming at his touch. As they stood together, their chemistry was undeniable. Emma, seeing the moment between them, gave Olivia's hand a gentle squeeze before slipping away to join Alex. She was so overjoyed about Olivia's pregnancy that she didn't even notice Alex's nervous energy.
As Ethan and Olivia made their way deeper into the venue, greeting and mingling with the distinguished guests and business titans, Ethan couldn't help but notice the extra glow Olivia had today. Her white dress with golden accents made her look ethereal, almost like an angel, and he couldn't take his eyes off her.
"You're glowing," he remarked, handing her a glass of sparkling wine. But Olivia, instead of taking it, hesitated and subtly pushed it aside.
Ethan raised an eyebrow in confusion. She had personally selected this wine, intending to enjoy it during the evening. He thought it odd but let it go, assuming she might not be in the mood. Instead, he picked up a tray of appetizers and offered her one. But as soon as the smell reached her, Olivia's stomach turned. Her face went pale, and without a word, she rushed to the nearest washroom.
Concern filled Ethan's face as he watched her disappear. "What's going on?" he muttered, looking at Emma for answers. Emma quickly reassured him, brushing it off.
"She's probably just eaten something that didn't agree with her. It'll pass, don't worry," she said casually, trying to calm him down.
But Ethan, always the protective husband, frowned. "I should take her to the hospital, just in case. She's been acting strange all evening."
Emma had to think fast to dissuade him. "It's nothing, Ethan. I'm sure she'll be fine in a few minutes. No need for the hospital."
Seeing the peculiar exchange between Olivia and Emma, Alex, who had been observing quietly, suddenly put two and two together. His eyes brightened with realization. He tugged Emma aside and leaned in close, whispering, "Is she...?"
Emma's eyes widened, and she immediately slapped her hand over his mouth to silence him. "Shh! Yes, she's pregnant, but Olivia wants to surprise Ethan tonight," she admitted in a hushed tone. "So, not a word from you!"
Alex grinned from ear to ear, excited for his friend but understanding the gravity of keeping such a big secret under wraps. He nodded, promising to keep quiet.
As the evening unfolded, the event was grander than anyone had expected. Business elites from around the world filled the room, and the excitement for the Eva brand launch was palpable. Then, the much-anticipated moment arrived—Alexander Quinn, one of the industry's titans, made his entrance, marking the significance of the event.
Olivia ascended the stage, her presence commanding attention. As she began her speech, she thanked everyone for attending and supporting the launch of their new venture, Eva. She then turned to Ethan, her gaze soft and full of love.
"I want to take a moment to thank Ethan," she began, her voice steady but emotional. "For making this day so special, for always being by my side, and for believing in us. But today, we're not just celebrating the launch of Eva... we're celebrating something even bigger."
Ethan, who was watching from below, felt a flicker of confusion. His eyes locked with Olivia's, trying to understand what she was hinting at.
Her next words took the entire room by surprise. "We're also celebrating the arrival of a new member to our family," she said, her voice lifting with excitement. "Ethan… we're pregnant!"
A gasp rippled through the audience. Ethan stood frozen, his mind racing to process her words. "What?" he muttered under his breath, still in shock.
Olivia, her face glowing with joy, walked off the stage toward him. As she reached him, she smiled and handed him something small—a pregnancy test strip, delicately tied with a ribbon. Ethan stared at it, the truth finally sinking in.
The weight of the moment hit him like a tidal wave. His eyes filled with tears, and his hands shook as he held the strip. Tears of joy began streaming down his face as he realized what this meant—they were going to be parents.
Olivia, overwhelmed with emotion, wrapped her arms around him, and he pulled her close, burying his face in her hair. "Liv… I can't believe it," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "We're having a baby?"
She nodded, her eyes shining with happiness. "Yes, Ethan. We're going to be parents."
Ethan stood on the stage, still reeling from the news Olivia had just revealed. His hands trembled as he wiped away the tears, and the audience, sensing the gravity of the moment, waited in anticipation. He took a deep breath, his eyes locking with Olivia's from across the room. The love and gratitude he felt for her filled his heart, and he knew he had to speak from the soul.
"Wow…" he started, his voice a little shaky but steadying with each word. "I had this whole speech planned out for tonight, to talk about how Olivia and I dreamed of this merger and how it would be a symbol of the love we share, not just in our personal lives but in our careers too. I thought tonight was all about Eva—about this brand that Olivia and I built together."
He paused, looking out over the audience, then back at Olivia, who was glowing, her hand resting gently on her stomach. His voice softened with emotion as he continued.
"But Olivia… as she always does… has given me something far greater than any merger or business achievement. Tonight, she gave me the greatest news of my life." His voice cracked with emotion, and he smiled through his tears. "We're having a baby. We're starting a family."
The audience was silent, hanging onto his every word as Ethan took a deep breath, composing himself.
"Olivia, I've always admired your strength, your grace, your brilliance. You've been my partner in life, my greatest ally in this journey, and now… you're giving me the most precious gift of all. I didn't think I could love you more than I already do, but you've proven me wrong tonight."
His voice steadied as he began to speak with more confidence, his eyes glistening with happiness. "I've achieved a lot in my life. I've built businesses, closed deals, and faced challenges I never thought I could overcome. But nothing—and I mean nothing—compares to what we've created together. Not just this brand, not just Eva, but our life, our family."
The audience erupted in applause, some people wiping away their own tears as Ethan spoke from the heart.
"This moment, this merger, and this baby—this is what it's all about," Ethan continued, his voice growing stronger. "It's not just about business; it's about love, partnership, and the future. Olivia, you are my everything, and I can't wait to take on this new journey with you by my side."
He turned back to the audience, his expression resolute. "To all of you here tonight, thank you for being part of this moment with us. Eva is more than just a brand—it's a symbol of the love, collaboration, and future we all strive for. And tonight, we celebrate not just a business venture, but the beginning of a new chapter, both in our professional and personal lives. Here's to the future—to Eva, and to the family we are about to build together."
The room erupted in applause once more, but Ethan's focus remained on Olivia. He stepped down from the stage, walking directly to her. As he reached her, he cupped her face in his hands, kissing her tenderly as the crowd cheered, the weight of their future now clearer than ever.