Three months later.
The hospital smelled of antiseptic and quiet fear.
Ananya sat on the edge of the bed, her hands gripping the test report tightly.
Her mind was blank.
"Mrs. Roy," the doctor said gently, "you're pregnant."
The words echoed in her ears.
Pregnant.
She blinked slowly.
As if she hadn't heard correctly.
"I… what?"
The doctor smiled softly."You're going to be a mother."
A tear slid down Ananya's cheek.
A strange mix of emotions flooded her heart.
Shock.
Fear.
And something else…
Love.
Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach.
Aarav's child.
For a moment, she imagined telling him.
Imagined his reaction.
Would he smile?
Or would he doubt her again?
Her fingers clenched.
"No…" she whispered.
"He must never know."
Because she remembered his words too clearly—
"Loved me? Or my money?"
She closed her eyes, tears falling freely now.
"I won't let my child grow up where love is questioned."
And in that moment—
She made a decision that would change all their lives forever.