Chapter 3 Life on the margins

The next morning, Raina stood in front of the mirror in Linda's bathroom, one hand resting flat against her still-flat stomach. She'd barely slept, the test stick still lying on the counter like an accusation she couldn't refute.

Pregnant.

It wasn't supposed to happen-not like this. Not after betrayal. Not after a night that was meant to be erased.

A dozen thoughts swirled through her head: abortion, adoption, solo motherhood. Each one carried its own storm. But when she imagined her life moving forward without this child, a flicker of panic replaced her fatigue.

She didn't want to erase the baby.

She just didn't know how to begin.

---

Later That Day – Clinic Visit

Linda sat beside her in the waiting room, flipping through an old magazine but not actually reading. Raina was too numb to talk. She filled out the forms in silence, her handwriting slightly shaky. Confirmed. Estimated due date. Emergency contact.

The nurse called her name, and Linda squeezed her hand before she stood.

An ultrasound was scheduled.

Raina lay on the table, cold gel smeared across her abdomen. The screen flickered, then bloomed with a grainy shape. A pulsing flick.

"There it is," the technician murmured. "Heartbeat. Seven weeks, three days."

Raina blinked back tears, her throat thick.

It was real.

---

One Week Later – A New Chapter Begins

Raina secured a short-term consulting contract with a boutique PR firm in a new city-an opportunity that allowed her to quietly relocate and rebuild without Marcus's shadow or Glory's betrayal haunting her every turn.

Linda helped her move. Sharon drove in from Indianapolis to surprise her and stayed the weekend. They unpacked boxes, ordered Thai food, and drank sparkling cider in place of wine. Raina didn't tell them everything yet-not about Aiden, not about the night-but the shift in her was unmistakable.

She was choosing this baby. And that meant building something stronger than what she had before.

---

Three Weeks Later – First Day on the New Job

The office was modern, with minimalist furniture and clean glass walls. Raina took a steadying breath as she stepped into the lobby. She wore a navy sheath dress that hugged her gently but still concealed the slow curve beginning to emerge at her waist.

"Raina Cole?" the receptionist asked. "Mr. Blake is ready for the kickoff meeting. You're in Conference Room 3C."

Raina smiled, nodded, and followed the hallway signs. She reviewed the briefing in her head-Blake Innovations, a rapidly growing tech company launching a new line of consumer data tools. Her team was responsible for a full rebrand and rollout strategy.

She opened the door to the conference room, calm and prepared.

And froze.

At the head of the table stood the man she'd tried to forget.

Adrian smith

He wore a tailored charcoal suit and a subtle smirk that didn't reach his eyes.

The nameplate in front of him read: Adrian Blake, CEO.

Raina's stomach twisted. Her hand instinctively moved toward her abdomen, then quickly fell.

Adrian looked up-saw her.

And for a split second, something flickered behind his eyes.

Recognition.

But his face gave nothing away.

"Ms. Cole," he said smoothly. "Welcome aboard."

---

Raina sees Adrian smith-now Adrian Blake-for the first time since their night together. This section deepens the emotional stakes and establishes the beginning of their strained, high-stakes dynamic:

---

The world narrowed to a pinpoint as Raina stared at him-Adrian Blake. CEO. Collected. A man in command of a room full of executives and eager associates. Not the quietly damaged stranger from a dark bar who had kissed her like he was drowning.

Her body went rigid. The air around her thinned.

Adrian's gaze held hers, unreadable. Then, with infuriating ease, he turned his attention to the rest of the room.

"Let's begin," he said.

No flicker of surprise. No stumble. Not a single damn crack.

Raina slid into the chair furthest from him and flipped open her notepad, pretending not to see the way Linda, seated next to her, cast her a confused glance. The meeting went on-strategic goals, campaign vision, brand tone. Adrian spoke confidently, with the calm charisma of a man used to being listened to.

But Raina barely heard a word.

Her thoughts were a tangle of questions and fury.

Why hadn't he told her who he was?

Why had he vanished without a word?

And how the hell was she supposed to work with him now-while carrying his child?

She focused on breathing.

One breath at a time.

---

After the Meeting – Empty Hallway

As the room emptied, Adrian moved toward her with deliberate calm, adjusting the cuff of his watch like he had all the time in the world. Linda lingered by the door, but Raina shook her head. "Give me a second."

Adrian waited until they were alone, then spoke quietly. "I didn't expect to see you again."

Her laugh was sharp. "No? I thought CEOs did their homework."

He didn't flinch. "You used a different last name on your freelance work."

She folded her arms. "And you used a different everything."

His jaw tightened slightly. "I never lied."

"You never told me the truth," she snapped. "You disappeared. No last name. No number. Not even a note."

"I thought that was what you wanted," he said evenly. "No strings. No questions."

"It's not that simple."

Something flickered in his eyes-something colder. "I don't do 'simple,' Raina."

She took a step closer, her voice low. "Well, now you do. Because whether you like it or not, we're in this project and this mess together."

He gave her a long look. "What mess?"

Her hand twitched-she almost said it. Almost told him.

But not yet.

Not like this.

Instead, she said, "You should've stayed gone."

She turned and walked away, heart pounding, pulse skimming fire down her spine.

Adrian watched her go, the expression on his face unreadable.

But the tension between them had ignited something dangerous.

And neither of them could walk away unscathed.

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