A Frozen Man's Sun

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I've long moved on from Lessandra. That was years ago. But even if the wound is closed, I can't deny there's still anger when I think about what she did. That's just human. Still, Eral isn't some bandage to cover old scars. She's... something else. I don't even know what. Part of me says I owe her, because she gave me her first. Because in a way, she was also my first.

It's been three weeks since she declared us "official." Things have been going well, if you could call it that. Eral nags a lot, though. She says I only act like a boyfriend when we're kissing, never outside of it. Even after becoming a couple, I never changed. Why should I? I'm better as I am now.

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Week One

She started staying over more often. Sometimes, she wouldn't even ask. She'd just show up at my door with that sly grin of hers and crawl into my bed like she owned it.

"You're so cold," she muttered one night, pressing herself against my back.

"That's my name," I replied flatly, trying to push the pillow between us.

But she only hugged my arm tighter. "I don't care. I'll melt you eventually."

Annoying, clingy... and yet, I didn't stop her.

A few days later, I caught her in the kitchen trying to cook pasta. The noodles clumped together, and she lost her temper, slamming the spatula into the sink.

"These damn noodles are just like you—stubborn!"

I raised a brow from where I leaned against the counter. "You're fighting with boiled flour?"

Her glare could've burned me alive, but then she laughed, shaking her head. "Okay, fine. I'm just... a little emotional today."

Mood swings. I noticed. I just didn't comment.

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Week Two

She kept arriving late to shoots. Reina would roll her eyes while adjusting the lights and whisper, "She says it's morning sickness again."

Morning sickness? At first, I brushed it off. But when Eral showed up looking pale, clutching her water bottle, I couldn't ignore it. During one session, she had to excuse herself and sit down mid-shoot, her face drained of color.

"You okay?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"I'm fine," she insisted, forcing a smile as if that would convince me.

I didn't buy it, but I let her go on.

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Week Three

It became more obvious. We were at a ramen place one evening, and she barely touched her food. She kept stirring the broth with her chopsticks, her face twisting.

"You're not eating?" I asked, halfway through my bowl.

"The smell makes me sick," she whispered, pushing it away.

That was odd. Eral never turned down food before.

"You sick?"

"No," she said quickly, too quickly. Her eyes darted away.

I frowned but didn't press. I paid the bill, drove her home, and pretended I hadn't noticed her pressing a hand against her stomach the whole ride.

We kept kissing anyway. Kept touching. Reckless. And deep down, I knew what we were playing with. I just didn't expect it to catch up to us so soon.

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So when, during a shoot at the studio, her camera slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor, I already knew something was off. She rushed out, pale as paper, and locked herself in the washroom.

I followed, hearing the sound of her retching from the other side of the door.

"Eral? Is something wrong?" My voice was flat, but my hand tightened into a fist. She didn't answer. Only more vomiting. I sighed and knocked again, softer this time. "Eral? Baby?"

The door creaked open. She stood there, eyes red and cheeks wet with tears. Without thinking, I pulled her into my arms. She trembled against me, and I rubbed her back slowly.

"Are you sick?" I asked.

She shook her head, voice breaking. "I... I think I'm pregnant, Ice."

My body froze. She pulled away, staring up at me with those hazel brown eyes that always seemed to challenge my own sapphire gaze.

"Are you sure?" My voice came out lower than I expected.

"I have a feeling..."

I bit my lip, grounding myself. "We'll finish this photoshoot. Then I'll buy you a test to confirm, okay?"

She nodded, wiping her tears.

"Can you keep going?" I asked. She nodded again.

We went back. She picked up her camera and shot me like nothing had happened, though her hands shook. I let her.

An hour later, the shoot wrapped up. We packed the equipment, then I drove straight to the nearest pharmacy.

"Wait here," I told her, stepping out of the car.

Inside, the cashier—a woman—smiled too sweetly. "What do you need, sir?"

"Three pregnancy tests."

Her eyes widened. "Are you married?"

I scowled. "Just give me what I asked for."

She flushed with embarrassment and quickly fetched them. I paid, walked out, and handed the bag to Eral. "Three, to be sure."

She nodded. "Thank you."

"I'll drive you home," I said, starting the engine. "I'll stay with you tonight."

Her lips quirked into a small, nervous smile. "Okay."

During the ride, her hands were cold. I reached out and held one. "Don't worry, Eral. If you're pregnant, I'll take responsibility. I'll be the father of our child. I won't run away from this."

"You'll marry me?" she whispered.

I clenched my jaw. "If I have to."

Her smile faltered. She turned her face toward the window. I gripped the wheel tighter, but said nothing.

At her place, she disappeared into the bathroom with the three tests. I sat outside the door, every tick of the clock pounding in my skull. My chest felt like it was caving in. The result would change everything—my future, my family, hers.

Ten minutes crawled by. Then the sound of crying broke through the silence.

"Eral?" I knocked quickly. "What's wrong?"

No answer. Just sobs.

"I'm coming in." I twisted the knob and pushed the door open. She sat on the floor, holding the three sticks out with trembling hands. Two red lines on each. All positive.

For the first time in years, my mind went blank. She was pregnant. Eral was carrying my child.

She wiped her tears and forced herself to speak. "You don't have to marry me, Ice. If that's what you're thinking. Just... support the baby financially. That's enough."

"I don't want our child to be a bastard," I said.

Her lips trembled. "So you'll marry me? I can't marry a man who doesn't love me back, Ice. I can't marry a man who has never even said those words to me." Tears streamed again. "You've never said it."

"It's all too fast, Eral. Let me adjust." I exhaled sharply, meeting her gaze. "I like you. I like you, and I know that with time, like can turn into love. Just... wait."

I pulled her against me, hugging her tight.

She buried her face in my chest, whispering, "I love you, Ice. I always have."

"I know," I murmured, my hand brushing through her hair.