Lauren's POV

Pregnant.

That word rang in my ears over and over again like a siren. My brain heard it, but my heart… my heart refused to believe it. It just sat there, frozen, as if accepting it would make it real.

I turned slowly, like my whole body had forgotten how to move. My eyes landed on Ethan. He wasn’t looking at me. He was staring at the floor like a boy caught stealing. My lips parted, and my voice came out so weak, I barely recognized it.

“Ethan… is it true?”

He didn't answer. Not right away.

I prayed – God, I actually prayed in that second that he would look up and say no. That Sofia was just playing a sick joke. That it was a lie. That he didn’t do this to me. To us. To our daughter.

But he didn’t even lift his head. He didn’t say a single word. His jaw clenched, his eyes flicked to the side like a coward, and in that second… I knew. He didn’t have to say anything. His silence hit harder than a slap.

It was true.

She wasn’t lying. Sofia the woman who once left him for money was actually pregnant with his child. And I...his wife who stood by him when he had nothing was standing there like a fool. Like a leftover.

Something inside me cracked. I could feel it. It started small, like a pinch in my chest, then it spread like fire across my whole body. My stomach twisted. My throat tightened. My legs felt weak. I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I just… broke quietly.

In a daze, I turned around and walked out of his office. I didn’t say goodbye. I didn’t wait for an explanation. I didn’t even look back.

Each step felt like dragging cement. My heels tapped against the marble floor, too loud in the silence. The hallway spun a little, but I didn’t slow down. I needed to get out. I needed to breathe. All I could hear was that one word pounding on my head.

“Ma’am?” Ethan’s secretary stood up as I passed by. Her face looked worried. Her eyes darted towards Ethan's door, then back at me. She probably heard everything. I could see it in her eyes. Pity.

“Are you alright?” she asked softly.

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My lips moved, but no word came out. My voice had gone missing. I just shook my head slightly and kept walking fast. I didn't want to fall apart right there in front of her. I thought maybe if I moved fast enough, none of this would be real.

I reached the elevator and pressed the button with a shaking hand. But after a second, I stepped away. I couldn’t just stand there. I couldn’t be still. I felt like I was going to explode.

Without thinking, I turned and pushed open the stairwell door. One step. Then another. I gripped the railing like it was the only thing holding me up.

Down. Down. Just keep going down.

I burst through the exit door and into the sunlight. The bright light hit me like a slap. I blinked hard, trying to adjust, but the world kept spinning. I reached into my bag for my car keys. My hands were shaking so much that I dropped them.

“No, no, no…” I whispered to myself as I knelt down and picked them up.

I stood there for a second. My car was just a few steps away, but I couldn’t move. My chest was too tight. My breathing too shallow. My body frozen.

I couldn’t drive. I couldn’t even stand up straight. So I walked.

I didn’t know where I was going. I just turned and walked away from the building. Away from Ethan. Away from the woman carrying his child. Away from the life I thought I had.

People passed me on the street. Cars honked. I didn’t see their faces. Didn’t hear their voices. Everything was muffled and distant.

I kept walking.

Her voice kept echoing in my head. “I’m pregnant.”

And him… the man who swore he’d love me forever. The man I gave up my whole career for, picking up extra shifts so he could build the company he dreamed of – Black Enterprise. The same man who kissed my belly when I was pregnant with Elena and whispered, “You’re my home.” He said nothing. Not even I’m sorry. Not even a lie to hold onto.

Just silence.

My feet hurt. My heels rubbed raw against my skin. My blouse clung to my back with sweat. But I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t.

I crossed the street without looking. Someone shouted, a car honked, but I didn’t care. I just needed to move, to keep my body busy so my mind wouldn’t catch up.

Because if I stopped, I’d have to think. And if I thought, I’d have to feel. And if I felt… I’d fall apart.

I reached a corner and leaned against a lamppost. My hand gripped the cold metal, trying to stay upright.

The world tilted.

My knees buckled a little. I blinked fast. Everything was spinning. My heart pounded in my ears. My stomach turned. I swallowed hard, but it didn’t help.

Then everything went black.

I don’t remember falling. Just that my body gave up. Gave in. But I didn’t hit the ground.

Someone caught me. Strong arms wrapped around me, lifting me gently.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re alright.”

The voice was deep.

My head rested against a chest. I could feel the warmth through his shirt. I wanted to ask who he was. I wanted to see his face.

But I couldn’t open my eyes. I was so tired.

“Stay with me,” he said softly.

I tried to speak, but my lips wouldn’t move. Everything felt heavy. My arms. My legs. Even my tears were stuck.

He carried me. I didn’t know where. I didn’t care.

I let myself go.

All I remember is the way he held me – like I still mattered. Like I wasn’t just someone left behind.