It was a crisp afternoon, the kind that made the streets of the city feel fresh and alive. Claire was wandering through the mall, trying to keep her mind busy and distracted. Her hands were gently cradling her baby bump, as she had gotten used to doing when she was out in public. It was a comforting habit, one that made her feel more connected to the little life growing inside her.
She was on her way to the coffee shop when it happened.
Out of nowhere, someone bumped into her. Claire stumbled slightly, barely keeping her balance, but she quickly steadied herself, her hand instinctively reaching for the railing near the escalator. She looked up to find a well-dressed woman, looking equally startled, standing in front of her.
"Sorry about that," the woman said, her voice smooth but apologetic. Claire recognized her instantly—Evelyn Harrington, Grayson Westwood's fiancée. Claire's heart skipped a beat, but she did her best to mask the surprise, pulling herself together with a polite smile.
"It's okay," Claire replied, her voice steady even as her mind raced. She couldn't believe the universe had thrown them together like this.
Evelyn’s eyes flickered over Claire, her gaze lingering slightly longer than necessary on her rounded belly. Claire’s stomach tightened, but she forced herself to stay calm, reminding herself that no one knew the truth. No one knew who the father was.
"You’re... expecting?" Evelyn asked, her voice warm, but there was a faint curiosity in her eyes.
Claire felt a pang of discomfort but smiled again, nodding. "Yes, I am. I'm due in a few months."
"How wonderful," Evelyn said with a soft, almost wistful smile. "You look radiant." There was something in her voice, something that sounded almost too genuine. Claire couldn’t quite place it, but it was a little unsettling.
"Thank you," Claire replied quickly, trying not to let her guard slip. She had to keep her composure—Evelyn had no idea who she was, and Claire intended to keep it that way. The last thing she needed was for Grayson’s fiancée to suspect anything.
"You must be excited," Evelyn continued, her eyes never leaving Claire’s bump. "I imagine it’s a big change."
"Yeah, it’s been a big change," Claire said, the words feeling heavier than she meant. She looked down at her belly, as if it would somehow give her strength. "But I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a bit overwhelming, but I’m ready."
Evelyn nodded, her smile softening as she tilted her head. "I can’t imagine. Life must be very different now. It’s funny, how quickly things can change."
Claire felt a sudden weight in the air, as if Evelyn’s words weren’t just meant for polite conversation. Claire glanced up at her, sensing something unspoken. The tension between them was palpable.
"Well," Claire said, breaking the silence, her voice a little shaky despite her best efforts. "It was nice meeting you."
Evelyn smiled, though there was something in her eyes that made Claire pause. "It was nice meeting you, too. Take care of yourself... and the little one." She gave Claire a final, lingering look before turning to leave, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Claire stood there for a moment, watching Evelyn disappear into the crowd, her heart racing. She let out a slow breath, trying to regain her calm. The encounter had left her rattled, though she knew she had managed to keep her secret for now.
But what if Evelyn had suspected something? What if Grayson’s fiancée had picked up on more than she let on?
Claire pressed her hand to her belly once more, feeling the baby’s soft movements. No matter what, she would protect her little one—whether Grayson ever knew the truth or not.
As Evelyn walks away, Claire watches her go, her heart pounding. She didn’t know if Evelyn suspected anything, but for now, she had survived the encounter.
For a moment, it felt as though the world had paused around her. Evelyn’s lingering gaze before she left made Claire feeling unsettled, but she quickly brushed off the feeling, reminding herself that it was probably just a fleeting interaction.
But as she stood there, trying to regain her composure, the soft rustle of footsteps approaching snapped her out of her thoughts.
She turned her head slightly, not expecting to see anyone else. And then—there he was. Grayson Westwood, the father of her baby, is walking toward Evelyn. Claire’s breath caught in her throat as she watched them approach each other. Grayson didn’t notice her, and at that moment, she felt a wave of relief. She couldn’t bear for him to see her like this, pregnant and alone, especially not in front of Evelyn.
But what happened next completely caught Claire off guard.
Grayson and Evelyn stopped in front of each other, smiling with a familiarity that made Claire’s chest tighten. Evelyn stood on her tiptoes, her hands resting lightly on Grayson’s chest, and Grayson leaned down to kiss her—just a brief, soft kiss. Claire felt her heart twist as she watched it, an involuntary pang of longing and sorrow surging through her.
They broke apart almost instantly, smiling at each other, as though the kiss was nothing more than a daily exchange of affection. Evelyn’s hand lingered on Grayson’s arm, her fingers tracing his sleeve, and Claire could see the way they interacted—the ease between them, the way they fit together so naturally.
Grayson smiled at Evelyn, his hand gently resting on her back as they turned to walk away, hand in hand, toward the mall’s exit.
She held her breath, listening to the sound of Grayson and Evelyn’s footsteps growing quieter as they passed by, their voices fading into the distance.
The minutes seemed to stretch into eternity before Claire finally allowed herself to release the breath she had been holding. She leaned against the rack, her pulse still racing. Her heart ached—not just from the sudden shock of the kiss she had witnessed, but from the realization of how much she still cared, even after everything that had happened.
It felt like the world was spinning, and for a moment, Claire could almost hear the echoes of her past with Grayson—the laughter, the promises, the life they had planned. But that is gone now. He was with Evelyn, and she was carrying their child. It was a truth she had to accept, even if it felt impossible sometimes...