A few weeks had passed since the truth about the father of Lara's child had been revealed. Time seemed to move in slow motion, with every day blurring into the next. The reality of her pregnancy weighed heavily on her, and she had yet to fully process everything that Ethan had told her.
Now, at nearly four months pregnant, Lara's body was beginning to show the changes of pregnancy. She noticed it most when she looked in the mirror, seeing the subtle changes in her shape. Her stomach was still small, but there was a gentle curve that hadn't been there before. It was both exciting and frightening at the same time.
But what weighed even more heavily on her was the uncertainty surrounding her pregnancy. She still had so many questions, questions that Ethan seemed reluctant to answer.
Lara sat at her desk, absentmindedly tapping her pen against her notebook, staring at the screen in front of her. She had been trying to focus on work, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the conversations she'd had with Ethan in the past few weeks.
"The child you're carrying is mine..." His words echoed in her mind, but they didn't bring comfort. Instead, they added to the confusion and fear that had been building inside her.
She knew that Ethan had his reasons for keeping the truth from her. He had been trying to protect her, but his actions only seemed to distance him further from her. She still didn't know who the mysterious people were that had been watching her, or what their intentions were.
And more than anything, she didn't know how to navigate her growing feelings for him. She had never expected any of this—especially not the way he had made her feel. There were moments when she caught herself thinking about him more than she should, but she quickly pushed those thoughts away. He was the father of her child, but that didn't mean they had a future together.
"Lara," a voice interrupted her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. She looked up to see Kara, the new girl from the finance department, standing at the edge of her cubicle. "You're lost in thought. Is everything okay?"
Lara smiled weakly, trying to hide the turmoil inside. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking."
Kara raised an eyebrow, stepping inside the cubicle. "You've been distant lately. You don't have to tell me what's going on, but if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."
Lara hesitated for a moment, unsure whether she should open up to Kara. She had only known the woman for a few weeks, but there was something about her calm demeanor that made Lara feel like she could trust her.
"I don't know, Kara," Lara said softly, her voice betraying her uncertainty. "Everything feels... complicated. I feel like my life is changing in ways I don't understand."
Kara gave a small nod, as if she understood. "I can't imagine what you're going through, but sometimes talking about it helps. You don't have to carry it alone."
Lara appreciated her kindness, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was too much at stake. Too many secrets, too many unknowns.
"Well, thanks," Lara said with a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'll keep that in mind."
Kara lingered for a moment before turning to leave. As she walked away, Lara's phone buzzed on her desk. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the name on the screen. It was Ethan.
She hesitated before answering. There had been so much distance between them lately, so much uncertainty. What did he want now?
"Lara," Ethan's voice came through the phone, smooth and familiar. "Can we meet? I need to talk to you about something important."
Lara's heart pounded in her chest. She couldn't deny the pull she felt toward him, even though she knew things were complicated. "Where and when?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Meet me at the café near your office in an hour," Ethan replied. "I'll be waiting."
Lara didn't answer right away. She felt a knot form in her stomach at the thought of meeting him, but she couldn't refuse. Not when there were so many things left unsaid between them.
"I'll be there," she finally said, her voice barely a whisper before she hung up.
---
The café was quiet when Lara arrived, the soft hum of conversation filling the air. She spotted Ethan immediately, sitting at a corner table, his posture tense as he waited for her.
When he saw her approach, his face softened, but there was still a guarded look in his eyes. He stood up as she reached the table, pulling out the chair for her.
"Thanks," Lara said, sitting down. The air between them felt thick with unspoken words, and Lara wasn't sure how to break the silence.
Ethan sat down across from her, his gaze never leaving her face. "I know things have been difficult, and I haven't been as present as I should have been. I'm sorry."
Lara looked at him, trying to read his expression. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, but it was mixed with something else—something darker. What was he hiding?
"I've been thinking a lot," Ethan continued, his voice low. "I don't want you to feel alone in this. The situation we're in is dangerous, and I need you to trust me."
Lara nodded, her heart racing. "I want to trust you, but it's hard when you keep so many secrets from me. I don't know who to trust anymore."
Ethan's face softened. "I understand. But this isn't just about us. This is about your safety—and the safety of the child you're carrying."
Lara felt a chill run down her spine. Her safety. The child. It all felt too much, too fast.
"You're not alone in this," Ethan said gently, his voice reassuring but firm. "I'm here. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."
Lara looked at him, her heart heavy with uncertainty. She didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to believe that maybe—just maybe—she could trust him.