Chapter 44. Beneath the Water's Warmth

Lottie POV

Walking back into Knox's room, memories of our nights here flooded my mind. Back then, his room was cluttered with gym equipment but otherwise clean—a reflection of his disciplined yet laid-back nature. But now, as I stepped inside, I was met with a scene that made my stomach churn.

Beer bottles littered every surface, empty and half-full cans were scattered across the floor, and dirty clothes formed haphazard piles in every corner. Damp, mouldy towels hung over the back of chairs, and the stale stench of days-old food mingled with the sour scent of spilt alcohol assaulted my heightened senses.

I tried not to let my disgust show, but it was hard to hide my reaction completely. Pregnancy had made my sense of smell more acute, and the overwhelming odours were almost too much to bear. Knox turned to look at me, a flicker of shame crossing his face as he noticed my expression.

"Connie, no good at cleaning?" I teased gently, attempting to lighten the