The One Night Stand Turns Out To Be My Professor

167

167

Sophia’s POV

The tension in the room felt thick, almost suffocating, as I sat with my parents again a few days after breaking the news. It was the first time I had visited since telling them I was pregnant and getting married, and even though they had said they’d support me, I could still see that they were uncertain and they definitely thought I was rushing into this.

My mom was stirring a pot of soup at the stove, the wooden spoon moving in slow circles as if she was lost in thought. My dad was sitting at the kitchen table, flipping through the local newspaper, though I could tell he wasn’t really reading it. His eyes kept darting up to glance at me, like he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

“So,” I said, trying to break the silence, “I was thinking about having a small ceremony. Nothing big. Just us and maybe a couple of close friends.”

My mom turned to look at me, her expression carefully neutral. “A small ceremony sounds nice,” she said, her voice a little too calm. “But are you sure that’s what you want? I always imagined you’d have a big wedding… something grand, with all your family there.”

“I know, Mom,” I said, forcing a smile. “But I think with everything going on, keeping it small just feels… right. Less stressful.”

She nodded, turning back to the stove. “Less stressful, sure.” She didn’t sound convinced, but at least she wasn’t arguing.

My dad cleared his throat, folding the newspaper and setting it aside. “So, about Ian,” he started, his voice careful. “What kind of man is he? I mean, we haven’t met him properly, and now… well, you’re having his child. We just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into.”

I could feel the weight of the question. They still didn’t know the half of it. And they couldn’t. Not yet.

“He’s… great,” I said, trying to sound confident. “He’s really supportive and responsible. He’s been by my side through everything. I know this seems fast, but I love him, Dad.”

My dad leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “But you’re still not telling us everything, are you?”

My heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”

He gave me a long, hard look, the kind that told me he wasn’t buying my nonchalant attitude. “Sophia, we may be old, but we’re not stupid. There’s something you’re keeping from us. You’ve barely talked about Ian in the past, and now you’re getting married and having his baby? And every time we ask about him, you get cagey.”

My mom turned off the stove and joined us at the table, her face soft but worried. “Sweetheart, we’re not trying to pressure you, but we can tell there’s more to the story.”

I stared down at my hands, feeling very guilty for hiding things from them. They were right—I was keeping things from them. Huge things. But how could I possibly explain any of it? How could I sit here and tell them that Ian wasn’t just a man, but a vampire king? That I was part of a world they’d never understand, where danger lurked around every corner? That their grandchild would be part of that world too?

“I’m not… ready to talk about everything yet,” I said slowly, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I promise, when the time is right, I will.”

My mom reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “We just want to make sure you’re safe, Sophia. That’s all.”

“I know,” I said, trying to keep the guilt out of my voice. “And I appreciate it. I really do. But right now, I just need you to trust me. Trust that I’m making the right choices.”