His name was Nathaniel

108

Marriage had changed many things for Nathaniel and Adaliya, but one thing remained constant—their devotion to each other. The years after their wedding were filled with laughter, adventure, and challenges, all of which they faced together.

Their honeymoon had been nothing short of phenomenal. They had traveled across multiple destinations, indulging in extravagant getaways and spontaneous adventures. From the crystal-clear waters of Bora Bora to the historic streets of Rome, they had taken their time enjoying the honeymoon phase of their marriage. One of the funniest moments had been in Greece, when Adaliya, determined to try driving a scooter for the first time, had ended up nearly crashing into a fruit stand—only for Nathaniel to catch her just in time. He still teased her about it to this day.

Adjusting to married life came with its quirks. Nathaniel, for all his poise in the corporate world, had a frustrating habit of leaving his expensive suits draped over furniture instead of hanging them up, while Adaliya, despite being an organized planner, had a weakness for over-ordering groceries and filling their fridge to the brim. Their playful arguments over these small things became a daily routine, always ending with laughter or a stolen kiss.

Two years into their marriage, their lives had evolved into a balance of work, travel, and enjoying each other's company. Nathaniel, now 29 years old, had fully embraced his role as the CEO of Donovan Enterprises, expanding the company's reach globally. His business acumen had turned the company into a powerhouse of innovation and success. The media often called him one of the most influential young CEOs of the decade.

Adaliya, on the other hand, had built an impressive career of her own. After completing her degree in business and marketing, she had worked her way up in the industry. Now, she was a highly sought-after marketing strategist, working with prestigious brands and helping businesses develop impactful campaigns. She thrived in her field, proving to anyone who doubted her that she was more than just "Nathaniel Donovan's wife." She had made a name for herself on her own terms.

Despite their success, they still made time for each other. They had traveled to countless places, made new homes in different cities, and never lost the spark in their relationship.

But now, something new had entered Adaliya's mind—something she never thought she'd be thinking about so soon.

A Possible Pregnancy

Lately, she had felt... different. The fatigue, the slight nausea in the mornings, the way her emotions seemed to shift more than usual. At first, she had chalked it up to stress, but the longer it persisted, the more she suspected the truth.

She might be pregnant.

The thought didn't scare her the way it once would have. In fact, it made her feel... happy.

She had accomplished everything she dreamed of—a fulfilling career, financial independence, a stable and loving marriage. She had the freedom to make this decision on her own terms, and it felt like the right time.

Still, she kept it to herself.

Her mother was the only person she told.

Her mother had been ecstatic, already envisioning herself as a grandmother, asking a million questions about when she planned to tell Nathaniel.

"Not yet," Adaliya had said, laughing at her mother's excitement. "I want to see how he feels about it first. I just... want to be sure."

Her mother understood but reminded her, "Nathaniel loves you. Whatever happens, you won't go through this alone."

Nathaniel was away on a business trip overseas, scheduled to return a day before his birthday. That night, missing him more than usual, she decided to call him.

When he picked up, his voice was deep and tired, laced with exhaustion.

"You sound drained," she noted.

"Long day," he admitted. "Meetings ran longer than expected."

She smiled softly. "I can't wait for you to come home."

"I can't wait either."

There was a comfortable silence between them before Adaliya hesitated, then asked, "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Of course my love."

She kept her tone casual, not wanting to give anything away. "I was just thinking about the future... and I wanted to know how you feel about having children soon."

The silence that followed was not what she expected.

She had thought he might be surprised, maybe even taken aback, but not this—not the kind of pause that felt like a wall going up.

When he finally spoke, his voice was measured, almost hesitant.

"That's not something to talk about over the phone."

Adaliya felt her stomach drop.

"Why not?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light.

"Because it's a serious conversation," he said shortly. "We should talk about it in person."

The dismissal stung more than she wanted to admit.

She had imagined so many ways he might react—shocked, excited, even nervous—but not this.

Not like it was something he didn't want to discuss at all.

She forced a small laugh. "Right. Okay."

Nathaniel exhaled. "Adaliya, I—"

"I should let you rest," she cut him off before he could say anything else. "We'll talk when you're back."

Before he could respond, she ended the call.

She stared at her phone, a sinking feeling settling in her chest.

So that was his reaction?

Maybe she had misread everything. Maybe she had assumed too much.

And maybe this wasn't the right time to tell him after all.