---
---
The sterile, fluorescent lights of the diagnostics clinic flickered softly above Dominic as he handed over the sealed envelope for testing. "No names," he muttered again, watching the technician nod with clinical detachment.
"Rush it," Dominic added, his voice low and dangerous. "And don't notify anyone but me. No paper trail. No leaks."
The technician gave a professional nod. "We'll contact you directly with the results, sir. But it may take a few weeks due to international cross-checking. Genetic matches that require advanced parental testing usually span over twenty-eight business days."
Dominic clenched his jaw. "Just make sure it's accurate."
As he left the clinic, the winter wind sliced across his face. He walked with the weight of guilt and silence pressing into his shoulders. Every hour waiting for that test result felt like walking a tightrope above a bed of knives. Juliana had him in a corner—her threats still echoing in his ears.
"If you tell her, I'll ruin her. I'll leak everything—photos, timelines, rumors. The press will eat it up."
He hadn't told Aurora. Couldn't. Not until he was sure. The idea of watching her crumble under another betrayal—especially one she didn't deserve—was unbearable.
---
One month later
Aurora paced around her penthouse in her soft cotton robe, her fingertips wrapped tightly around a half-empty coffee mug. The early morning sun slanted through the windows, casting golden streaks across the marble floor. Her gaze flicked to the clock. 8:42 a.m.
Still no sign.
Her phone buzzed.
Maya: "You okay? You've missed two brunches. Not like you, babe."
Aurora stared at the screen, her thoughts drifting elsewhere. Her back pressed against the kitchen counter, and for the first time in a while, the confident sparkle in her eyes faded into uncertainty.
She hadn't told anyone yet—not even Maya. But it had been six weeks.
Her period hadn't come.
Her cycles were never perfect, but this long? She couldn't ignore the knot forming in her stomach.
She glanced at the calendar on her fridge, where she had circled a few dates in pink. She ran her finger over them, silent.
A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Coming," she called out, setting the mug down.
When she opened the door, Dominic stood there—tall, composed, and tired. His eyes flicked across her face, reading it like a language he knew but couldn't fully speak anymore.
"You're busy," he said quietly, noticing the documents scattered behind her.
Aurora stepped aside. "Just prepping for the Zurich expansion. Come in."
He did, eyes lingering on her a little longer than usual. She looked… softer today. More tired. More distant. And yet, achingly beautiful.
"I wanted to check on you," he said, his voice low. "I know the last few weeks have been crazy."
Aurora gave him a faint smile, nodding. "Yeah… and you've seemed distracted too."
He blinked. "I'm sorry. I've just had some... things to deal with. Business. Family stuff."
She didn't question it. Her trust in him—despite his emotional walls—remained rooted. But something unspoken hung in the air between them. A quiet storm.
"I've missed you," she admitted.
His eyes softened.
"I've missed you too."
He reached for her hand gently, fingers curling over hers. She leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. His heartbeat was steady, warm.
"I've been thinking about what I asked you," she whispered after a moment. "The proposal."
Dominic stiffened slightly, then eased his hand to her back.
"Aurora—" he began.
"You don't have to answer now," she said quickly. "I know it was impulsive. I just—"
He stopped her with a kiss. Slow. Lingering. A kiss that said don't say sorry for loving me.
"I'm not saying no," he said softly against her lips. "I'm just… asking for time."
She nodded slowly, though her heart tugged in hesitation.
"Time," she echoed. "Okay."
But inside, the unease lingered.
---
Later that night, Dominic stood alone on his balcony, staring out over the dark skyline. He pulled out his phone and opened the last message from the clinic.
Status: Pending – Estimated Results: 2-4 Weeks Remaining
His grip tightened.
Juliana had called him earlier, demanding an update, smug and suggestive as always. He'd played along, feeding her just enough compliance to keep her satisfied. Dinner dates staged for gossip columns. A few hand-holding moments photographed by "accident."
All while he gathered evidence—real, clean, undeniable.
She thought she had him trapped.
But what she didn't know was: he was laying the trap for her.
---
The next morning, Aurora stood in the bathroom staring at the unopened pregnancy test box sitting beside the sink. Her fingers trembled.
She'd picked it up the night before. No reason not to take it. But she hadn't found the courage yet.
What if it was positive?
What if it changed everything?
And yet... what if it was the best thing to ever happen to her?
She touched her belly gently, her eyes softening. Dominic would be a good father... right?
She didn't take the test. Not today.
She needed to be sure—about herself, about them. About everything.
---
Across the city, Juliana lounged by the pool, phone in hand. Her assistant approached. "You wanted the media reach update?"
She waved lazily. "Later. Did the photos from Friday leak?"
"Yes. And the bloggers are already speculating a rekindled romance."
Juliana smiled. "Perfect. Let them keep guessing."
She still had the upper hand.
But what she didn't know—what none of them knew—was that truth was silently brewing, like a storm that would sweep away every lie.
---