His name was Nathaniel

109

Adaliya sat on the edge of the bathtub, staring at the pregnancy test on the counter.

Two pink lines.

Positive.

Her fingers trembled as she reached for the box, pulling out a second test, then a third. Each one confirmed the same result.

She was pregnant.

Despite the uncertainty that now clouded her emotions, she couldn't deny that her heart had leapt the moment she saw those lines. This was real. This was happening.

But Nathaniel's voice from their phone call echoed in her mind.
"That's not something to talk about over the phone."
"It's a serious conversation."

That wasn't the reaction of a man who was eager for fatherhood.

And now, sitting here with the confirmation in front of her, she wasn't sure how to feel anymore.

To be absolutely certain, she booked an appointment with her gynecologist the next morning.

The wait in the clinic had felt endless, but the moment the doctor finished her examination and turned to her with a warm smile, Adaliya's heart pounded in her chest.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Donovan. You're four weeks pregnant."

Four weeks.

The excitement she had felt before flickered uncertainly in her chest. This was what she had wanted, right? She had planned everything in her life carefully, and this was the natural next step. Right?

But now, after Nathaniel's reaction... was it?

The doctor continued talking, giving her guidelines for the first trimester, but Adaliya's thoughts were elsewhere.

Would Nathaniel be disappointed?

Would he resent this?

That evening, after leaving the clinic, Adaliya threw herself into preparing for Nathaniel's return.

His flight was due to land in just a few hours, and she had spent the entire day decorating the dining area with soft golden lights and elegant table settings, preparing his favorite dishes, and making sure everything was perfect.

She slipped into a flowy pink gown—soft, romantic, the kind of dress she knew Nathaniel loved on her. As she passed by the bedroom mirror, she caught sight of herself. Maybe he was right. Maybe she did look a little... different.

She ran her hands over her stomach, a small, unnoticeable bump forming where new life had begun to grow.

Finally, she took the small birthday gift box, placed the positive pregnancy test inside, and set it on the table among his other gifts.

It was time.

When the door finally opened, Nathaniel barely had time to drop his luggage before Adaliya was in his arms.

The moment their bodies collided, his hands were everywhere—cupping her face, pulling her closer, as their lips met in a deep, desperate kiss.

God, she had missed him.

And he had missed her too. The exhaustion from his trip melted away as he held her tightly, inhaling her familiar scent.

His lips moved to her temple. "I'm home."

Her chest ached. "Happy birthday, my love."

Nathaniel looked around, taking in the decorations, the perfectly set table, the dimly lit ambiance. He shook his head, grinning in disbelief.