Everything was still processing in Iris's mind when she heard Claire's concerned voice from outside the bathroom door. "Ms. Iris, are you alright? Is everything okay?"
Iris paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She realized she needed to respond, but her thoughts were a chaotic mix of emotions. The shock of the news felt overwhelming, and she struggled to find her voice.
"Uh, yeah, I'm fine," she called out, trying to keep her tone light despite the turmoil inside. "Just... give me a minute."
Claire's footsteps shifted outside the door, and Iris could sense her worry. "Take your time, but if you need anything, I'm right here."
Iris leaned against the sink, closing her eyes for a moment. She knew she had to face Claire and share the news, but she wasn't quite ready yet. Gathering her thoughts, she took another deep breath, reminding herself that she wasn't alone in this. Claire would be there to support her, no matter what.
Iris stepped out of the bathroom, feeling the weight of the moment as she approached Claire. The moment their eyes met, Claire's expression shifted from concern to shock.
Without a word, Iris handed Claire the pregnancy tests, her hands trembling slightly. Claire's eyes widened as she processed the situation, the reality of the situation dawning on her.
"You're..." Claire paused for a heartbeat, trying to find the right words. "Pregnant?"
Iris nodded, feeling a rush of emotions well up inside her. She sank onto the edge of her bed, burying her face in her hands. The enormity of the news felt suffocating, and she needed a moment to collect herself.
Claire stood there, her shock turning into empathy as she walked over and sat beside Iris. "Oh, Ms. Iris..." she said softly, placing a comforting hand on her back. "How are you feeling? Do you want to talk about it?"
Iris took a deep breath, feeling both grateful for Claire's presence and overwhelmed by everything. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice muffled. "It's just so much to process."
"I know I'm invading your personal life, but nobody knows— not even I could remember you being with someone else. So how did this happen?" Claire asked, her concern evident.
Iris took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling slowly as she prepared to answer. "Remember when I went to Ibiza?" she asked, glancing at Claire, who nodded attentively.
"That night, I met a man," Iris continued, her voice shaky but determined. "We had a one-night stand together. We didn't use a condom or any kind of protection."
Claire's jaw dropped in surprise, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Oh my God," she said softly, processing the weight of Iris's words.
"And we did it all night," Iris added, her heart racing as she recalled the intensity of that evening. The reality of what had happened began to settle in, and she felt a mixture of regret and vulnerability.
Claire turned to her, concern etched on her face. "Ms. Iris, have you thought about what this means? What do you want to do?"
Iris took a moment, her thoughts swirling as she considered Claire's question. "I honestly don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "This changes everything—my career, my life... I'm scared."
Claire nodded, her expression softening with understanding. "It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed. Have you thought about talking to someone? A doctor, maybe? They can help you understand your options."
Iris nodded slowly, the idea of consulting a professional lingering in her mind. "I guess I should. But part of me is still in shock. It feels surreal, like it's happening to someone else."
Claire leaned closer, her tone gentle but firm. "You're not alone in this. Whatever you decide, I'll be here to support you. You have options, and we can figure this out together."
Iris appreciated Claire's reassurance, feeling a small sense of comfort amid the chaos. "Thank you, Claire. It just feels like so much pressure, and I don't want to disappoint anyone."
"You won't disappoint anyone," Claire said, her voice steady. "You need to think about what's best for you. Your happiness and health come first."
Iris took another deep breath, feeling a little lighter with Claire's support. "You're right. I need to take this one step at a time." She looked out the window, the evening sky painted in soft hues, and let herself imagine the possibilities ahead.
YOU ARE READING
The Russian Billionaire's Secret Heir
Roman d'amourAfter their one-night stand, both were left unaware of each other's identities. A few weeks later, she discovered she was pregnant with the elusive Russian billionaire. Fearing the implications, she chose to hide the pregnancy and retreat from the p...
