Cecilia’s pov
As the end of the workday approached, I slipped into the restroom for a quick check.
I stared at myself in the mirror, frowning. This wasn’t like .
It was one day late, then two, now three.
Of course my mind started replaying the worst mories, especially Xavier’s desperate behavior before I left.
The way he tried to trap . How obsessed he was with the idea of getting pregnant.
I shook my head, hard.
"No," I whispered, hands gripping the sink. "Not happening."
It had to be stress.
Maggie was stalking , the Moonveil Ascendancy was a nightmare, and Zane... well, that was a disaster on its own.
No wonder my body was freaking out.
I left the bathroom, went straight to the break room, and poured a glass of water. I drank half before stopping, eyes fixed on the surface.
I couldn’t do this guessing ga. I needed answers.
Ten minutes later, I’d grabbed my purse and ordered a ride to the nearest pharmacy.
The whole way there, I kept telling myself I was overthinking.
The pharmacy was bright and too clean, slling like hand sanitizer and fake vanilla.
I made a beeline for the family planning aisle, grabbed the priciest pregnancy test they had (because if I was doing this, I wanted accuracy), and headed to the checkout.
"Cecilia? You okay?"
Tang’s voice behind nearly stopped my heart.
I fought the impulse to jump and turned slowly, trying to look casual.
"Just a little cold," I said, shifting to block the test with my hand. "Nothing serious."
I grabbed a few bottles of vitamin C and so cold dicine off the shelf, tossing them into my basket like they’d been the plan all along.
After I paid, I clutched the bag like it was sothing fragile.
"Let carry that for you," Tang said, reaching for it.
I pulled back without thinking.
"No, I’ve got it."
His eyes narrowed a little.
"You scared , you know. You disappeared without saying anything. If you needed sothing, I could’ve gone for you."
"Sorry," I muttered. "I forgot you were with ."
"You really don’t look good," Tang said, his voice softer now. "It’s almost the end of the day anyway. Let’s get you ho."
I nodded. I didn’t have the energy to argue.
"Okay."
In the car, I stared out the window, watching the city blur by.
I held the pharmacy bag tight in my lap, my fingers curled around it like it might explode.
Please, God, I begged silently.
Let this be nothing. Let it just be a late period.
--
By seven o’clock, Sebastian was back.
I played it well. Went straight to bed as soon as I got ho to make the "I’m sick" story believable.
Liam brought up so kind of herbal broth. Even Cassian stopped by to check on .
When Sebastian arrived, he ca straight to my room. His tall fra filled the doorway, making it feel smaller. He sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight.
"You looked fine when you ca to my office earlier," he said, voice low and concerned.
He pressed a hand to my forehead, then my neck, checking for a fever.
"What happened?"
"Sore throat," I said, making my voice raspy, like it hurt to talk.
"My sinuses are all ssed up too."
His brows pulled together. That little line between them deepened.
"Did you take anything for it?"
"Yeah, I’m fine," I said quickly, not wanting him to fuss.
"Probably caught a chill during lunch. Nothing serious."
His hand slid down and rested lightly on my stomach. Even through the fabric, his palm was warm.
He traced slow circles, gentle but steady.
"You’ve been feeling off a lot lately," he said softly.
His touch was tender, but his eyes had changed. They were darker now, sharper. He was watching too closely.
"You say it’s a cold," he murmured, voice dropping to almost a whisper.
"But I don’t sll anything sick on you."
He paused, nostrils flaring slightly.
"There’s sothing else. It’s... different."
I froze, then forced a laugh.
"What are you now, part bloodhound?" I teased, keeping my tone light.
"It’s just a cold, I swear."
He didn’t argue, but he didn’t look away either. His gaze stayed locked on mine, like he was waiting for to crack.
My heart thudded so hard I was sure he could hear it.
"Maybe it’s hormones," I said, adding a shrug for good asure.
"Could be my period ssing with things."
His expression changed again. It got darker, harder to read. He was figuring sothing out, but decided to drop it. For now.
"Get so rest," he said finally, standing up.
"I’ll have Liam bring you sothing to eat."
The second he left, I shot out of bed and rushed to the bathroom.
My hands were shaking so badly it took two tries to lock the door.
I ripped open the pregnancy test box, scanned the instructions three tis just to make sure I didn’t screw anything up.
My fingers trembled as I followed the steps. I set the test down and backed away like it might explode.
Three minutes.
Easily the longest three minutes of my life.
I paced the tiny room, catching glimpses of myself in the mirror. I looked pale, anxious, and I couldn’t stop biting my lip.
The buzz of my phone made jump
I drew a breath.
Lifted the test.
Two lines.
Clear. Unmistakable.
Positive.
My whole world tilted.
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