CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: THE SECRET SHE HADN’T SHARED
212 Words
Later that day, after the children had been dropped off at school, the house felt… still.
Too still.
Hailey stood in the kitchen, staring at nothing.
Thinking.
Her hand rested unconsciously on her stomach.
She had known for three days.
Three long, emotional days.
But she hadn’t told him yet.
Not because she didn’t want to.
But because…
This time felt different.
The first pregnancy had been filled with excitement—but also fear.
Now…
There was something deeper.
More real.
“Hailey?”
She turned.
Adrian stood there, watching her closely.
“You’ve been quiet lately,” he said.
She smiled faintly. “Just tired.”
He stepped closer.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
She laughed softly.
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“What’s going on?”
Her heart started racing.
Now.
“Adrian…” she began.
He waited.
Patient.
She took his hand.
Placed it gently over her stomach.
His expression shifted.
Confusion.
Then realization.
“Wait…”
She nodded.
His eyes widened slightly.
“Another…?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Then—
A slow smile spread across his face.
And for the second time in his life…
Adrian Cole looked completely undone.
TO BE CONTINUED
- Writer
