A Fragile Promise

Chapter 6. Misunderstood Intentions

Felix sat at his desk, papers scattered across it, but his mind wasn't on the work before him. He couldn’t stop thinking about Althea—about the way she had pulled away from him in the past few days. She had been quieter than usual, her once bright eyes clouded with doubt, and it was eating him up inside.

He had spent so many hours at the office recently, pushing himself to stay busy, but in the back of his mind, there was always a nagging worry. It wasn't just the strain on their relationship; it was the reason why things had been strained in the first place. Althea’s pregnancy.

Felix ran a hand over his face, trying to push away the memory of the doctor’s words. "Given her medical history, it may not be the best decision for her to carry a child to term. It could be dangerous."

The words still echoed in his head, a constant reminder of the looming threat to the woman he loved—and to the child they were expecting. He hadn’t known how to approach the conversation with Althea. He didn’t want to be the one to discourage her dreams of becoming a mother, but the more he thought about it, the more he couldn’t shake the fear. The doctor had been clear: her health was at risk.

Althea had been so hopeful, so excited when she told him about the pregnancy. But Felix hadn’t been able to share in her joy, not fully. His mind had been consumed with worry, his heart heavy with the knowledge that her health might not hold up through the pregnancy.

The guilt of it gnawed at him. Althea deserved so much more than the weight of his concerns. She deserved a husband who was present, supportive, and enthusiastic about their growing family. But instead, Felix had become distant, unable to bring himself to share his fear with her. He didn’t want to be the one to take away her happiness, and so he had buried his anxieties, trying to focus on his work instead. But it had backfired. Althea had sensed his withdrawal, and now she was slipping away from him.

Felix stood up from his desk, his gaze wandering to the window. He could feel the distance between them more acutely now, and it was killing him. The more he pulled away to protect himself, the more he saw Althea retreating into herself, her bright spark dimming.

He knew he had to face her, to speak the words he had been avoiding. The truth was, he had been afraid—afraid of telling her the one thing that could ruin everything.

That fear had kept him from being the partner she deserved, and now, he had to fix it. He couldn’t continue hiding behind his own anxieties. He needed to show Althea that he was with her, that they were in this together, even if the road ahead was uncertain.

With a deep breath, he grabbed his coat and headed out, determined to make things right.

---

Felix arrived home to find Althea sitting alone in the living room, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She looked exhausted, her eyes distant. She didn’t even look up when he entered.

“Althea,” Felix called softly, his voice tentative.

She glanced up, but her eyes quickly shifted away, as if she were unsure whether she should acknowledge him. Felix’s heart sank at the sight. This wasn’t the woman he had fallen in love with. She was withdrawn, distant—a shell of the vibrant woman he knew.

“Hey,” he said again, his voice more gentle now as he took a step closer.

Althea’s lips parted, but she didn’t respond immediately. Felix could see the weight of everything that had happened in the past few days pressing down on her. She was silent for a long moment, and when she finally spoke, her voice was small.

“I don’t know what’s happening, Felix,” she whispered. “I feel like you’re so far away. Like you’re… shutting me out.”

Felix felt his chest tighten. She was right. He had been distant, but it wasn’t because he didn’t love her. It was because he loved her so much that he couldn’t bear to put her in harm’s way. But he had to let her in. He had to tell her the truth, no matter how hard it was.

He sat down beside her, his hand gently resting on hers. “I’ve been thinking a lot about everything… especially the pregnancy.”

Althea shifted uncomfortably, pulling her hand away slightly. “What do you mean?”

Felix took a deep breath, struggling to find the words. “I’m… I’m scared, Althea. Scared for your health. The doctor told me that you shouldn’t be having a baby with your condition. That it could put you at serious risk.”

The words felt like a weight pressing down on his chest. Althea’s eyes widened in shock, and for a brief moment, he saw the flicker of hurt flash across her face.

“You’re scared?” she repeated, her voice trembling. “Because I might not be able to carry this baby? Felix, I—” She stopped herself, taking a shaky breath. “I thought we were in this together. That we’d figure it out. That we could handle whatever comes.”

Felix reached out to her again, but she pulled back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel like I didn’t want this. I’ve been trying to protect you from the truth, but I’m terrified. I don’t want to lose you, Althea. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you.”

Tears welled up in Althea’s eyes, but she didn’t look away. Felix’s heart broke seeing her so hurt.

“Felix…” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’m scared too. But I need you with me. I need you to help me through this. If we’re going to have a baby, I need to know you’re here, that you’re not going to pull away from me.”

Felix’s chest tightened with guilt. He had been so focused on his own fears that he had failed to see how much she needed him. He hadn’t realized that his distance was just as damaging as the fear he had been carrying inside.

“I’m here, Althea,” he said softly, his voice filled with regret. “I’m so sorry for making you feel alone in this. You’re not alone. I’m not going anywhere.”

She met his gaze then, her eyes filled with pain but also a glimmer of hope. “Promise me, Felix. Promise me that we’ll face this together, no matter what happens.”

Felix nodded, his heart aching with love for her. “I promise. I’ll be here. Always."