Days passed in a blur, and I did my best to keep my distance from Alexander. I threw myself into work, attending meetings, reviewing documents, and pretending like I wasn't constantly thinking about him. It was easier in the office, surrounded by people, where I could hide behind professionalism. But even then, I felt his presence lingering like a shadow, always just at the edge of my awareness.
The retreat had ended without further incident. After our conversation in the garden, Alexander had kept his distance too. We exchanged pleasantries when necessary, but it was clear to both of us that things had shifted. It wasn't just about us anymore—it was about the consequences we couldn't escape.
Back in the city, the skyscrapers and noise of New York felt like a welcome distraction. The busy pace of life left little room for reflection, but I knew it was only a matter of time before everything caught up to me.
I hadn't spoken to Alexander since we returned, not beyond work-related matters, at least. But the tension between us still simmered beneath the surface, unspoken yet undeniable. Every time I caught his gaze during a meeting or brushed past him in the hallway, I was reminded of that night in Bali, of the secrets we were both carrying.
And then, just when I thought I could keep my head down and focus on work, my phone buzzed with a message that turned my world upside down.
We need to talk. It's important.
– Alexander
My stomach twisted as I stared at the screen. I knew this was coming—knew we couldn't avoid the inevitable conversation forever—but that didn't make it any easier to face.
I debated ignoring the message, pretending like I hadn't seen it, but deep down, I knew I had to confront this. Whatever "this" was. I just wasn't sure I was ready for what he had to say.
I took a deep breath and texted back.
Fine. Your office after work.
The hours seemed to drag on after that, each tick of the clock pulling me closer to the moment I was dreading. When the workday finally ended, I gathered my things, my heart racing with nerves. My hands trembled slightly as I shut down my computer and headed toward Alexander's office. I told myself I was prepared for whatever was coming, but the truth was, I had no idea what to expect.
His assistant greeted me with a smile, completely oblivious to the storm brewing beneath the surface. "Mr. Steele is expecting you," she said, motioning toward his office door.
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat as I stepped forward. The door clicked shut behind me, and suddenly, it was just me and Alexander, alone in the silence of his spacious office.
He stood by the window, his back to me as he gazed out at the city skyline. The setting sun cast a warm glow over the room, but there was nothing comforting about this moment. The tension was thick, almost suffocating.
"Jessie," he said without turning around. His voice was low, serious, and it sent a chill down my spine.
"Alexander." I kept my tone calm, though inside I felt anything but.
He finally turned to face me, his expression unreadable. There was a heaviness in his eyes that made my heart sink. Whatever he had to say, I knew it wasn't going to be easy.
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this," he began, his voice softer now. "I never wanted to make things complicated for you. But I can't ignore what's happening between us. I know it's wrong, but… it's real."
My heart pounded in my chest as I listened, torn between the part of me that wanted to deny everything and the part that knew exactly what he meant.
"I've been thinking," he continued, stepping closer. "About everything. My marriage. You. The baby."
I froze. The baby?
"What baby?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, though I had an awful feeling I already knew.
His gaze met mine, and in that moment, I saw the truth in his eyes before he even said it.
"You're pregnant, Jessie. I know."
The air seemed to leave the room as my mind raced, my body going numb with shock. I hadn't even processed the possibility yet—hadn't even allowed myself to think about it. But now, it was right in front of me, impossible to ignore.
"I… I'm not…" I stammered, but the words wouldn't come. The room spun as the weight of the revelation settled over me.
Alexander stepped forward, his hands reaching for mine, but I pulled away, shaking my head in disbelief.
"I'm not pregnant," I said firmly, though my voice wavered. "I don't know what you're talking about."
But even as I denied it, a part of me wondered. The missed period. The nausea. The exhaustion I'd been blaming on stress. Could it be?
He didn't argue. Instead, he looked at me with a quiet understanding, as if he had already accepted the truth I was still struggling to comprehend.
"Jessie," he said softly. "We need to talk about this. Whatever happens, we'll figure it out together."
But I couldn't think, couldn't breathe. I needed to get out of there, away from him and the suffocating reality that was crashing down around me.
"I need to go," I muttered, turning toward the door. "I can't… I can't do this right now."
"Jessie, wait," he called after me, but I didn't stop. I couldn't.
I bolted from the office, my heart racing as I made my way through the building, desperate for air. I didn't know where I was going or what I was going to do, but I knew I needed to get away from the truth.
As I stepped out into the cool evening air, I realized there was no running from this.
Whether I was ready or not, my life was about to change forever.