HIDDEN HEARTS

Episode6 THE LIE

The front door swung open before Ethan could reach it.

Claire stood on the threshold, rainwater dripping from her leather jacket, her smile sharp enough to draw blood. "Miss me?"

Ethan blocked the doorway, his voice a low warning. "You shouldn't be here."

Claire's gaze slid past him, taking in the disheveled living room—the scattered cards from their game, Lena's flushed face, the single blanket they'd shared. Her eyes darkened.

"Oh, I think I should." She shoved past Ethan, dropping the duffel bag with a thud. "Brought you idiots food and a first aid kit. You're welcome."

Lena crossed her arms. "The roads are closed."

"Not for me." Claire's smirk returned as she reached into her pocket. "Sheriff Donnelly is my uncle. "He let me through when I told him I was..." She paused dramatically, pulling out a small plastic stick. "Checking on the baby."

The pregnancy test clattered onto the coffee table.

POSITIVE.

The world tilted. Lena's vision tunneled on that single word as Ethan went rigid beside her.

Claire's voice dripped with false sympathy. "Guess we have more to talk about than just storm damage, baby daddy."

Ethan snatched up the test, his knuckles white. "This is bullshit."

"Is it?" Claire tilted her head, her nails tapping against the test. "Remember that night after Daniel's birthday party? When you begged me to take you back?"

Lena's stomach lurched. Three months ago. The same night, Ethan had come home drunk and stared at Lena's bedroom door for a full minute before walking away.

Ethan threw the test into the fireplace. "We used protection."

Claire laughed. "Since when do you trust condoms?" Her gaze flicked to Lena. "Oh wait." You wouldn't know about Ethan's little problem, would you?"

Lena's breath came too fast. This couldn't be happening. Not after last night. Not after—

Ethan grabbed Claire's arm. "Outside. Now."

Claire yanked free, but not before Lena saw the triumphant gleam in her eyes.

This was her plan all along.

As Ethan dragged Claire onto the rain-soaked porch, Lena numbly picked up the duffel bag—only for a folded piece of paper to slip out.

Ultrasound Image

Patient : Claire Mercer

Estimated Due Date: 6 months

The dates didn't add up.

Lena's head snapped up just as Claire's voice carried through the cracked door:

"—just sign the paternity papers and I'll disappear. Unless you want Lena to find out you slept with me the same week you kissed her—"

The slam of Ethan's fist against the wall shook the house.

Lena stumbled back, the ultrasound crumpling in her grip.

Some lines, once crossed, couldn't be uncrossed.

And some secrets weren't meant to stay buried.