CHAPTER 5; THE QUESTION HE DIDN’T ASK
895 Words
Emma sat on the edge of the bed in Richard’s mansion. Her fingers were wrapped around her phone, screen still lit. She had opened Jake’s contact three times already. Not to message him. Just to look.
He hadn’t texted.
Not last night. Not this morning.
They were all back now—home from the hospital. Her mother had been brought straight to the master bedroom upstairs, with private nurses and medical staff arranged the moment the doctor said she was stable. Richard spared no cost. Alessia had insisted on staying too, and no one had the strength to argue with her.
Elena was locked in her room. Richard barely came out of his study. Emma stayed in her old guest room, away from everyone. It was quiet, but not peaceful.
She hadn’t slept.
Her head hurt. Her chest felt heavy. The memory of last night wouldn’t leave her.
She got up slowly, washed her face, and put on soft clothes. Loose enough to hide her stomach. Then she walked downstairs.
The kitchen was silent. A few staff members moved quietly, avoiding eye contact. Emma made tea herself. Her hands trembled as she poured it, but she steadied them. She sat by the window, not drinking, just holding the cup.
She heard steps.
Jake.
He walked into the kitchen, calm but quiet. His eyes looked like he hadn’t slept either.
“Morning,” he said.
Emma gave a small nod. “Morning.”
He opened the fridge. Closed it again without taking anything.
The silence sat between them.
Jake stood across from her. “You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“You left fast last night.”
“I was tired.”
He didn’t answer. Just watched her for a moment longer.
“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” he said. “When I touched you.”
“It’s fine.”
“You looked... surprised.”
She looked down at her tea. “I was just caught off guard.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
Jake nodded once, but his eyes lingered a bit too long. Emma stood up.
“I should check on Mum.”
“She’s still resting,” he said. “The nurse said she hasn’t woken up yet.”
Emma stopped for half a second, then nodded. “Alright.”
She moved to walk past him.
“Emma,” Jake said.
She turned halfway.
He looked like he wanted to ask something. His eyes were searching hers.
But he didn’t say it. “Nothing. Never mind.”
Emma gave a small nod and walked away without a word.
—
Upstairs, she slipped into her room. She didn’t want to go into her mother’s room just yet. She needed a moment.
She sat on the edge of the bed and reached for her bag. Her fingers found the vitamin bottle quickly. She took one. Then zipped the bag closed again and tucked it behind the chair.
The label on the bottle was clear: prenatal.
A knock came.
“Yeah?”
Diana stepped in. “Hey.”
Emma stood, relieved. “You came.”
“Of course,” Diana said, walking over with a small bag. “Brought fruit. Figured you haven’t eaten anything normal in days.”
Emma laughed a little. “I haven’t.”
Diana handed her the fruit. Emma picked out an apple and sat again.
“You alright?” Diana asked.
Emma shrugged.
“Did you tell him?”
“No.”
Diana sat down beside her. “Do you think he knows?”
Emma hesitated. “I think he suspects.”
“He’s been quiet,” Diana said. “That’s not good.”
Emma nodded. “I know.”
“You can’t keep this hidden for long, Em. You’re already changing.”
Emma looked at her stomach. “I feel it too.”
“Then tell him.”
Emma shook her head. “I will. But not yet.”
Diana sighed. “You’re running out of time.”
Emma didn’t answer.
—
Later that day, Emma went to check on her mum. The nurse said she’d woken up briefly but had gone back to sleep. Emma sat beside her for a few minutes, holding her hand, brushing her hair gently. Her mother didn’t speak. Just breathed deeply, lost in whatever world her mind had gone to.
Emma kissed her forehead. “I’m here, Mama.”
She stepped out after a while to stretch her legs. Left her phone and handbag upstairs in her room. Just wanted to breathe fresh air.
She didn’t think much of it.
Jake didn’t mean to look. He hadn’t planned it.
But as he passed her door, he noticed the bag behind the chair. The zipper wasn’t fully closed. Something white stuck out.
He stepped inside slowly, just far enough to see.
A small bottle.
He didn’t touch it.
But the label was facing up.
Prenatal vitamins.
He stared at it.
Everything stopped.
He stepped back, closed the door, and leaned against the wall outside.
His mind was racing.
He saw the moment again in his head—when she flinched after his hand brushed her. The way her arms wrapped around her stomach. The way she avoided every question this morning. The fear in her voice.
She was pregnant.
Emma was pregnant.
And she hadn’t told anyone.
Not even him.
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