Hello My Fake Fiancé (Book 1 Hello Series)

HMFF10-Monster-in-Law

Chapter 10...Monster-in-Law

Danielle

I wake up and stretch, finding myself alone in bed. Dawson must have left early for work, though his scent still lingers faintly on the sheets.

I drag myself to the bathroom, determined to shake off the heaviness of sleep. As I step into the shower, the hot water hits my skin, and I close my eyes, letting it wash over me. The tension in my body starts to melt away, at least for the moment.

But my mind doesn't stay quiet for long. I can't stop thinking about Dawson with Bryson last month. He was so good with him, so patient and warm. Watching him scoop up my squirmy nephew like he'd been doing it all his life caught me completely off guard. Bryson adored him, clinging to him like they were old friends. Dawson even told Abby that we'd babysit anytime she needed. "Why hire a sitter when you have two people who need the practice?" he'd said, grinning at me.

Sometimes I feel like he's using my own adorable nephew against me.

As I step out of the shower, I catch my reflection in the mirror—and freeze.

I have a bump.

It's not big, but it's there. A little curve in my abdomen, impossible to miss now that I'm noticing it. I run my hand over it, my heart pounding. Fourteen weeks. Should I already be showing this much?

Panic bubbles in my chest as I rummage through my closet. None of my clothes fit the way they're supposed to. I finally settle on a pair of blue jeans, a tank top, and a cardigan, hoping the layers will hide it. But when I catch my reflection again, the cardigan does nothing. The bump is still there, as obvious as the chaos in my life.

I give up and head to work, praying no one will notice.

I'm sitting at my desk during library time, enjoying the rare peace and quiet, when the universe decides I don't deserve it. And I'll give you one guess as to who interrupts me.

"Danielle?"

I turn around to see none other than Suzie, beaming from ear to ear.

"Yes, Suzie?" I ask, forcing a polite smile as I stand to prepare the work I'll hand out to my students.

"Danielle, you're glowing!" she squeals, practically bouncing in place.

I laugh nervously. "I don't really consider the sweat running down my face as glowing," I say, trying to brush her off. "What are you smiling about?"

"I was right," Suzie says, her grin widening.

"Right about what?" I ask, already dreading the answer.

"You're pregnant!" she declares, her voice echoing across the room.

I flush instantly, my face heating as I freeze in place. My carefully kept secret is teetering on the edge of exposure.

"Are you crazy?" I laugh, trying to sound casual as I walk toward the library to collect my students. But Suzie, of course, follows me like a bloodhound on a scent.

"Danielle, your baby bump is showing!" she exclaims, loud enough for every teacher in the vicinity to hear.

I feel the stares immediately—every pair of eyes snapping to my stomach. The whispers start almost instantly.

"When are you due?"

"Does your fiancé know?"

"Do you know what you're having yet?"