I Love You, Baby

Chapter One

The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting soft golden rays across the small, cluttered bedroom. Ivy sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the test in her trembling hands. The stark, unmistakable result stared back at her, confirming what she had feared and hoped to deny. Pregnant.

Her heart raced as memories flooded her mind, scenes filled with laughter, stolen glances, and whispered promises. And then there was Rafe Cameron—all bright blue eyes and a smile that was equal parts charm and danger. They had hooked up at one of those wild beach parties just weeks ago. It wasn't the first time. Their relationship had always been a chaotic mix of passion, secrecy, and the thrill of forbidden desire. But now, everything has changed.

She bit her lower lip, the taste of salt still lingering as if she'd just stepped out of the crashing waves. How would Rafe react? He was unpredictable at best, the kind of guy who could turn from sweet to stormy in an instant. A part of her wanted to rush to him, to see if he'd cradle her face with those warm, calloused hands and tell her they'd figure it out. But the other part, the more rational part, knew that Rafe's world was complicated—tangled up with family pressures, old grudges, and an endless chase for power.

She felt a kick of nervous energy and reached for her phone, fingers hovering over his name. The contact stared back at her, as if daring her to press call. She imagined his reaction—the disbelief, the darkening of those sharp eyes, maybe even the way his jaw would set tight as he processed the news. She wasn't naïve; she knew Rafe had his demons, but she also knew there was more to him than the reckless boy everyone saw. There were moments when he'd opened up, shared pieces of himself he didn't let anyone else see.

The room felt smaller suddenly, the air heavier. She stood up, pacing the floor. She needed to decide. She needed to face this reality, not just for herself but for the life growing inside her. Maybe Rafe would surprise her; maybe he wouldn't. But no matter what, this was her journey to navigate—and it was only just beginning.

She stood at the edge of the pier, the familiar scent of salt and seaweed wrapping around her like an old friend. The sun was setting, casting the water in hues of orange and gold, as if nature itself was holding its breath, waiting for what was to come. Her heart thudded in her chest, each beat louder than the last. She glanced down at her hands, fingers clasped so tightly together that her knuckles were white.

A car door slammed behind her, and she knew it was him. Rafe's footsteps, heavy and determined, approached with a rhythm that matched her pulse. When she turned around, his face was a mix of confusion and worry, his blue eyes searching hers for answers she wasn't sure how to give.

"Hey," he said, voice low and edged with an uncertainty she'd rarely heard from him.

"Hey," she replied, taking a shaky breath. The silence stretched between them, thick and uncomfortable. She could feel the weight of his stare, the way it pressed on her until she had no choice but to speak. "Rafe, I need to tell you something."

He shifted, his jaw tightening as if bracing for a blow. "Okay," he said, but the word was more of a question, a plea for her to just spit it out.

"I'm pregnant." The words left her lips, and for a moment, it felt like the world had stopped spinning. She watched as the realization washed over him—his eyes widening, mouth parting slightly. It was as if she could see the thoughts racing behind his eyes, each one hitting him like a wave.

Rafe took a step back, running a hand through his hair as he looked away, staring at the horizon with a hard set to his jaw. The silence that followed was deafening, and she felt the sharp sting of tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself for whatever came next.