Chapter 5 The Confirmation

Olivia did not reply to the message.

She set her phone face down on the counter and pressed both palms against it, as if that could stop the world from moving forward. The bathroom felt too quiet, too small, every sound echoing in her head.

Positive.

The word repeated itself over and over.

She stared at the pregnancy test again, hoping ridiculously that it might have changed. It hadn't. The result was still there, bold and unyielding.

This was real.

Olivia closed her eyes and took a slow breath. Panic threatened to rise, sharp and overwhelming, but she forced it down. She had always handled problems the same way: acknowledge them, break them into parts, deal with them one step at a time.

Right now, step one was confirmation.

She needed to be sure.

The next morning, Olivia called in sick for the first time since she started working at Kane Enterprises. Her voice sounded strange to her own ears as she left the message with HR, calm and professional despite the storm inside her.

She dressed simply and left the apartment early, heading to a small clinic across town. The waiting room smelled faintly of antiseptic and lavender, a strange combination that made her stomach turn again.

She sat with her hands folded tightly in her lap, eyes fixed on the floor as other women came and went. Some looked anxious. Others looked excited.

Olivia felt neither.

She felt suspended, like everything was paused, waiting for someone else to decide what happened next.

"Ms. Carter?"

She stood immediately.

The nurse was kind, efficient, asking routine questions Olivia answered automatically. Dates. Symptoms. General health.

When the doctor finally came in, Olivia braced herself.

"The test is positive," the doctor said gently after reviewing the results. "You're approximately five weeks along."

The words settled heavily in the room.

Five weeks.

Olivia nodded, gripping the edge of the exam table. "Thank you."

The doctor offered pamphlets, advice, reassurance. Olivia listened, nodded again, and accepted everything handed to her, even though her mind felt far away.

When she left the clinic, the city felt louder than usual. Traffic roared. People hurried past, unaware that her entire life had just been divided into before and after.

She sat on a bench outside, phone in hand.

She still hadn't replied.

Another message buzzed in.

Alexander Kane: You weren't at the office today.

Her chest tightened.

He had noticed.

Of course he had.

She typed, deleted, typed again.

Olivia Carter: I wasn't feeling well. I'll be back tomorrow.

The reply came almost immediately.

Alexander Kane: Take the day if you need it.

Simple. Controlled. Kind.

It made everything harder.

That evening, Olivia tried to eat dinner but managed only a few bites. The nausea returned, persistent and cruel. She pressed a hand to her stomach again, the gesture instinctive now.

There was no more denial.

She was pregnant.

And there was only one man who could be responsible.

She barely slept.

The next morning, she stood in front of her mirror longer than usual, studying her reflection. Nothing looked different. No visible signs. No proof of the truth growing inside her.

Not yet.

She dressed carefully, choosing something professional and neutral. Armor, as always.

At the office, she kept her head down, avoiding unnecessary interactions. Rachel gave her a curious look but didn't press.

Alexander didn't call her into his office immediately.

That made the wait worse.

Hours passed. Every time her phone buzzed, her heart jumped. Every time footsteps neared her desk, her muscles tensed.

Finally, just after noon, the message came.

Alexander Kane: Come to my office.

Her fingers trembled as she stood.

She knocked once and stepped inside.

Alexander was seated behind his desk, reviewing documents. He looked up immediately.

"Sit," he said.

She did.

"You don't look well," he said plainly.

"I'm fine," she replied automatically.

He set the papers aside. "You're lying."

The directness caught her off guard.

"I'm just tired," she said more quietly.

He leaned back slightly, studying her face. "You've been distracted. Yesterday and today."

She swallowed. This was it. Or close to it.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

Yes.

Everything.

She opened her mouth-and closed it again.

Not yet.

"I have something personal to take care of," she said carefully.

His expression sharpened. "Is it affecting your work?"

"No," she said immediately. "It won't."

He held her gaze, searching. After a moment, he nodded.

"Very well. If you need time, take it."

"Thank you."

She stood to leave.

"Olivia."

She stopped.

He hesitated, then spoke more quietly. "If someone is causing this... stress, I need to know."

Her heart pounded painfully.

"No one is," she said.

She left before he could say anything else.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Olivia completed her tasks, attended meetings, smiled when required. Inside, her thoughts raced.

How do you tell your boss he's the father of your child?

How do you do that without losing everything?

That night, she sat on her couch, phone in hand, scrolling through messages she hadn't sent. Words failed her.

She needed to think. She needed to prepare.

She needed courage.

Her phone buzzed again.

Alexander Kane: We need to talk.

Her breath caught.

Olivia Carter: About work?

There was a pause.

Then:

Alexander Kane: About you.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

This was happening.

Her fingers hovered over the screen.

There was no more running.