“…run that part again.” The TV volume went up.Emma stood in the living room, remote in hand, frozen halfway between sitting and standing. The business channel logo sat quietly at the corner of the screen while a well-dressed news anchor smiled like nothing in the world was wrong.“…sources confirm that Titan Global’s remaining assets have been absorbed by Ethan Blake’s investment group, marking what many are calling one of the fastest power shifts in recent corporate history.”The clip switched and Ethan appeared on the screen, in a dark suit, looking calm and confident. He looked like someone who had slept well.“We’re not celebrating,” he said smoothly. “This is about stability. The market needs reassurance right now.”The anchor nodded too eagerly. “And your partner in this restructuring? Tara Harper.”Emma’s fingers tightened around the remote. The screen changed again and showed Tara. She stood beside Ethan, smiling like she had been waiting for this her whole life.“We’re just

Emma stepped out of the clinic slowly, one hand holding her bag, the other holding the folded scan paper. The air outside felt too stuffy and the sun felt too bright.She paused near the steps, took a breath, and looked down at the paper in her hand.Her baby.She hadn’t smiled during the scan. She hadn’t cried either, she had just stared at the ceiling while the doctor spoke softly. Everything felt distant and quiet.“Just get home,” she whispered to herself.“Emma?”Her body stiffened. She knew that voice. She turned slowly.Tara stood a few steps away, dressed sharply as always. Ethan was beside her, hands in his pockets, eyes unreadable. They both looked surprised, then Tara’s eyes dropped to the paper and her lips curled.“Well,” Tara said slowly, walking closer. “Isn’t this… interesting.”Emma tightened her grip. “Move.”Tara laughed lightly. “Why? We’re just saying hello.”Ethan didn’t say a word, he just watched. Emma stepped to the side, trying to pass them but Tara blocked h

Emma sat on the couch with her legs pulled up, her chin resting on her knees. Her arms were wrapped loosely around herself, like she was afraid she might fall apart if she let go. She wasn’t crying, she hadn’t cried since yesterday afternoon, when her chest hurt so badly she thought she might choke on it.Now her eyes felt dry and empty like she had already given everything she had.Margaret sat beside her, knitting slowly. The needles clicked together in a steady rhythm, soft but constant. It was the kind of sound that usually felt comforting. Today, it just filled the silence so it wouldn’t feel too loud.Victoria stood by the window with her arms folded, staring out at the garden. The flowers were blooming brightly, like nothing in the world had gone wrong. She watched them without really seeing them.George sat across from Emma on the low chair, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. His hands were clasped together so tightly his knuckles looked pale, he hadn’t moved in

Emma lay on the couch with one arm tucked behind her head and the other resting on her stomach. The baby bump was no longer something she could ignore. It curved gently under her shirt, small but firm, like it had claimed its place.She stared at the ceiling, counting nothing. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She didn’t move and it buzzed again.She sighed and turned her head slowly. The screen lit up with a name.Mia.Emma closed her eyes. “Please,” she murmured. “Not today.”The phone kept vibrating until she couldn’t ignore it anymore.“Okay,” she said quietly, pushing herself up. Her body felt heavy, like gravity had doubled overnight. She reached for the phone and answered without checking her tone.“Mia, I really don’t have the energy—”“Emma,” Mia cut in. “You need to turn on the news now.”Emma frowned. “I’m not doing this today.”“This isn’t gossip,” Mia said quickly. “This is serious.”Emma leaned back into the couch. “Everything has been serious for months.”“I know,”

Emma stayed frozen in her chair, her fingers gripping the edge of the table like it was the only solid thing left in the world. Liam was there, standing and breathing. He was real.No one said his name. They didn’t need to. One of the men at the table stood up first. Slowly and respectfully. “Sir,” he said, his voice careful.Another followed immediately, then another. All of them rose to their feet. Liam didn’t look at Emma, not once.He walked past her chair like she wasn’t there. The air shifted when he moved like everyone suddenly remembered who they were dealing with.He took the seat at the center of the table. No one sat until he did.Emma’s heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears. She tried to breathe normally. She failed. Her chest felt tight, like it was caving in on itself.Liam folded his hands on the table, calm and controlled. His face gave nothing away. “Sit,” he said.They all sat.Emma remained still for half a second too long. Then she forced herself