I confirmed it. I was actually pregnant.
A rush of disbelief and joy made me press a hand to my mouth, stifling a laugh. I tiptoed back toward the living room, careful not to alert Alex. He was curled up on the couch, engrossed in a storybook, utterly unaware of the tiny life growing inside me.
I paused in the kitchen, reaching for coffee and froze. Coffee was off-limits now. My mind raced and I quickly brewed a strong black tea instead, inhaling its warm aroma before heading back to my room.
Sipping slowly, I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. Ten months from now, I’d receive $40,000, enough to change my life and Alex’s for good. My heart fluttered at the thought.
At the vanity mirror, I studied myself carefully. “I hope I don’t look pregnant yet,” I whispered, tracin
