Chapter Three
714 Words
Ava swallowed.
Was she ready to know?
Or was she more afraid of what it would mean?
Because if she were carrying his child…
Would it bring them closer?
Or trap her in a marriage that already felt like it was slipping through her fingers?
No.
She shook her head slightly.
There was no probability.
Ava unfolded the hospital report confirming her stomach condition and scanned through it again.
“I’m just tired,” she murmured.
Stress. Skipped meals. Late nights.
That had to be it.
She tucked the pregnancy test back carefully and stood.
A quick refresh.
Then she went to the kitchen to make dinner.
Dinner was nearly ready when her phone buzzed.
A message from Clara:
“You’re shining! Don’t forget—a little post-promotion celebration this weekend. You deserve it!”
Ava smiled faintly.
The promotion still felt distant.
Unreal.
Marketing Manager.
The words echoed in her mind.
Someone was proud of her.
Someone noticed.
She set the table for one.
Not because she was hungry.
But because the routine grounded her.
Something she could still control.
Dinner was quiet.
Comforting in its own way.
She ate slowly, then took her medication with a sip of water.
The dull ache in her stomach remained.
Manageable.
For now.
Her phone buzzed again.
Talia.
Ava answered immediately.
“Ava! Finally! How are you? Living your best life yet?”
Talia’s voice carried its usual brightness.
Ava smiled.
“I’m fine. Just finished dinner.”
“Hmm… you sound too calm. What’s going on?”
Ava hesitated.
“I got promoted.”
A beat.
Then—
“What?! Ava, that’s huge! Tell me everything!”
Ava laughed softly and told her about the day.
The meeting.
The small celebration.
Clara’s excitement.
“I’m so proud of you!” Talia said. “You worked for this.”
“Thanks, T,” Ava replied quietly. “I needed that.”
Talia’s tone shifted slightly.
“What’s wrong?”
Ava exhaled.
“Ethan’s just… distant.”
A pause.
“Sometimes it feels like I’m talking to a stranger.”
Talia clicked her tongue lightly.
“Men. Complicated creatures.”
Ava smiled faintly.
“Maybe.”
Then Talia asked, “How’s your mom?”
Ava softened.
“She’s good. I send her what she needs. She checks on me all the time.”
There was warmth in her voice now.
“I don’t see her often, but… it’s enough.”
She paused.
“I should visit soon.”
“Must be nice,” Talia said lightly. “My mom and I aren’t exactly getting along these days.”
Ava frowned slightly.
“I’m sure it’ll get better.”
“Hopefully,” Talia replied.
The conversation drifted.
Work stories.
Travel chaos.
Small laughter that filled the quiet space around Ava.
“Alright,” Talia said eventually, “I’ve got a meeting soon. But listen—don’t forget you’re doing amazing. Even if some people don’t act like it.”
Ava smiled.
“I won’t forget.”
“Good. Call me if anything crazy happens. Night, boss lady.”
“Goodnight, T.”
The call ended.
The apartment fell quiet again.
But this time, the silence felt softer.
Ava moved to the bedroom, straightened the sheets, and lay down.
The comforter wrapped around her.
Giving her warmth and safety.
Her thoughts drifted.
Work.
Laughter.
Small victories.
Sleep came slowly.
Sometime later, she stirred.
A faint glow lit the room.
Ethan.
Ava kept her eyes closed, breathing evenly.
He moved quietly, almost like he didn’t want to be noticed.
A phone in his hand lit up briefly.
A notification.
Her heart skipped.
She remained still.
Watching without looking.
He paused near the dresser.
For a moment, something about him felt… off.
Not different.
Just distant in a way she couldn’t name.
Was it work?
Or something else?
Ava turned slightly, facing the pillow.
Pretending.
Listening.
A moment later, the door opened.
Then closed.
Silence returned.
Ava exhaled slowly.
Her chest felt tight.
The calm she had felt earlier—fragile.
Uncertain.
Something was shifting.
She couldn’t see it yet.
But she could feel it.
Sleep returned eventually.
And somewhere in the quiet of the night, a single thought lingered—
Tomorrow might bring answers.
Whether she was ready or not.
- Writer
