Mimi woke up before dawn, the room still dim in the first hints of light. Her body felt different—heavier, sluggish—and a sharp wave of nausea made her clutch the sheets. She had tried to ignore it at first, blaming it on stress, travel, or last night's wine. But deep down, she couldn't deny it any longer. Something was wrong. Something… undeniable.
She slipped quietly out of the room and stood by the balcony, the cool morning air hitting her flushed face. Her thoughts raced uncontrollably. Could it be…? No. It's impossible. We weren't supposed to—
Her hand unconsciously pressed against her stomach, and a shiver ran through her. The possibility she had been trying to suppress began to take shape in her mind. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think straight.
The sound of footsteps behind her made her heart jump. Rian appeared, his silhouette framed by the rising sun. His expression was unreadable, calm, but she could feel the intensity in his gaze.
"You're up early," he said softly, though there was an edge to his tone, as if he already sensed the turmoil inside her.
"I… couldn't sleep," Mimi murmured, turning to face him. Her voice was small, fragile. "The room… it feels too quiet."
He stepped closer, keeping a careful distance, his eyes scanning her face. "You look… tired. Are you okay?"
She wanted to tell him. She wanted to spill everything—confess the night, confess the fear, confess the possibility that was slowly crushing her from the inside. But the words caught in her throat. The contract, the threat, the impossible consequences—they all screamed at her to stay silent.
"I'm fine," she said again, but this time, it sounded hollow even to her own ears.
Rian's gaze softened, but he didn't push. Instead, he stayed by her side, a quiet presence that made her heart ache. She wanted to hate him for how much she longed for him, but she couldn't. Not when he was this close, not when the truth of that night—and its consequences—loomed like a shadow over both of them.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Mimi's body betrayed her with sudden waves of nausea, unexpected fatigue, and an aching that made her wonder if something was growing inside her. Every glance from Rian, every casual touch, made her stomach twist—not with desire, but with panic.
By nightfall, she found herself alone again, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The thought she had tried to deny was now impossible to ignore. She was pregnant.
The reality hit her like a physical blow. Her chest tightened, her hands trembled. She couldn't tell him—not yet. She couldn't risk losing him. And yet, the secret was eating her alive, pulling her toward a truth that was inevitable.
And somewhere, deep inside, a part of her wished he already knew. Wished he already cared.
But the rules of their contract loomed over them both, a silent threat that could erase everything if crossed.
And Mimi knew—soon or later—they would have to face it.