LOGINThe line went completely silent on the other end.Then Theon's voice came through, cautious and measured. "Roman, calm down. It might just be stimulation from the drugs. They can create illusions like that once in a while."Roman's breathing was still uneven. He pressed his palm against his forehead."I'm sure you're perfectly fine," Theon continued. "Have you noticed anything else? Any other odd symptoms?"Roman thought for a moment. His hand was still trembling slightly. "No. Just the... the fragments. Voices. Some images I can't place.""That's normal for the medication you're on. The chemicals in your system sometimes react unpredictably. But it doesn't mean anything is wrong."Roman closed his eyes. He forced himself to take a slow breath. "What about Evelyn?"Theon went quiet for a moment. "Her emotions could be stimulated by postpartum hormones. It's common. She might feel down, agitated, stressed out, or anxious. Her body is adjusting after childbirth."Roman's jaw tightened.
Roman's expression flickered—a shadow passing over his eyes. He quickly masked it with a smile, but Evelyn caught it."What are you saying?" He twirled her gently. "You know everything about me.""Roman."He was about to twirl her again, but she held on, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders."Roman, I need you to listen to me."His hand, which had been resting comfortably against her waist, stilled. Roman closed his eyes for a brief moment. He swallowed the lump forming in his throat when he opened his eyes and saw her serious expression.Evelyn nodded, seeing he was finally allowing her to talk."Okay…" She cleared her throat. "Why do you… act like everything is fine? You act like everything is perfect, but I know it's not."Roman's brows furrowed. He let out a short laugh to lighten the mood. "Everything is fine. You're just overthinking.""No!" Evelyn's voice rose. Realizing her loud tone, she turned quickly toward the crib. The baby stirred faintly, then settled.She took
Lena and Theon stood frozen as the door slammed shut in their faces. Lena blinked at the door. "Did I just— did I just get… kicked out?" Before she could process the betrayal, the door swung open again. Evelyn's face appeared, holding out a small plate. "Here. Mrs. Chen made these. I saved you some." Lena stared at the slice of cake. Then at Evelyn. The door shut again. Lena let out a long scoff. "I can't believe I'm being abandoned by my own friend." She grabbed the rubber fork and stabbed a piece of cake, shoving it into her mouth with annoyed determination. Then she felt a heated gaze on her. She turned. Theon was staring at her. Intensely. Lena glanced at the cake. "Do you want some?" He shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. She sighed. "Why are you being so quiet? I noticed it." Theon's smile faded. He turned fully to face her. His expression shifted into something serious. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice dropping. Theon let out a deep sigh.
Theon didn't let go. His hands stayed cupping her face, gently pulling her back. “I don’t want to walk away again." His voice cracked. "I've tried and it’s not working." Lena's shoulders shook. "Theon…" "Just this once." His voice broke. "Let me be the one you lean on." Another tear slipped down her cheek. He caught it with his thumb. "I'm not asking you to choose me now," he whispered. "Nor am I asking you to forget him." He swallowed hard. "I'm just asking you to let someone be there for you." Lena stared at him as snow fell around them. "Why?" she whispered. "Why do you keep doing this?" Theon let out a shaky breath. "Because I can't stop." His forehead pressed against hers. “Because even when I try to hate you for making me feel this way… I can't." His eyes closed. “Because it's you, Lena. It's always been you." Lena's hands lifted slowly. They rested against his chest. "I'm scared," she admitted. "I'm so scared." "Of what?" "Of trusting and losing myself again.” Th
Lena was frozen in place.Mrs. Adler turned to stare at him, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.The crowd immediately fell silent.Theon’s grip tightened around her wrist. His sharp gaze swept across the onlookers.“Nothing to see here,” he said coldly. “Move along.”No one moved.His expression darkened. “I said move.”The authority in his voice finally snapped the crowd out of their shock. They began dispersing, muttering among themselves.“Isn’t he a doctor?”“He looks too young.”“He’s wearing a white coat. He must be.”Mrs. Adler finally recovered from her stunned state. She tried to yank her arm free.“What do you think you’re doing?” she snapped. “Is this how you treat your aunt?”Theon’s gaze remained icy. “If you continue causing a disturbance, I’ll have security escort you out of this hospital.”Mrs. Adler scoffed. “It’s bad enough that you’re a spoiled, arrogant brat. Now you’re meddling in my family affairs?”“You attacked a patient inside this hospital.”His voice turne
The woman who crouched slightly with a pale face stiffened and finally raised her head.Lena's suspicion was confirmed. It was indeed Stacy.One hand still protectively covered her stomach. The other clutched medical documents against her chest.For a moment neither of them spoke.Lena's eyes drifted downward. Toward the visible curve beneath Stacy's coat.A pregnant belly.Her blood ran cold.The hospital noises and the crowd faded. Everything blurred except the woman standing before her, and the memory of the divorce papers Rhys refused to sign.Stacy's face turned white. "L-Lena…"Lena's fingers trembled. Her gaze remained fixed on Stacy's stomach.A thousand thoughts crashed into her mind. A thousand possibilities and explanations. Yet only one remained. One terrifying possibility that refused to leave."Stacy..." Her voice came out barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here?"Stacy's lips parted, but no words came.The color drained from Lena's face.Suddenly she wasn’t sur
Evelyn sat on the edge of the wooden dock, her legs dangling just above the glassy surface of the lake. Her camera hung from her neck, resting against her chest, her hat shielding her eyes from the gentle afternoon sun. The conversation with Lena replayed in her mindAfter the abrupt end to their fi
Her stomach betrayed her.A low, unmistakable growl cut through the silence between them.Evelyn froze.Heat flooded her cheeks. She squeezed her eyes shut, mortified. “Oh my God,” she muttered into the pillow.For half a second, Roman simply stared, then his lips curved into a slow, delighted smil
Evelyn’s fingers fumbled at the buttons of Roman’s shirt, her hands betraying her nerves no matter how hard she tried to steady them.Roman watched her quietly, his gaze heavy and unblinking.“Always so flustered,” he murmured, a smirk tugging at his lips as he caught her wrist mid-motion.Evelyn fr
Roman only finally let Evelyn go after she agreed to pack his underwear for the trip.And worse—he stood there and watched her do it.By the time she was done, Evelyn was certain her skin would start bleeding from how hard her cheeks had been burning all day. Roman hadn’t stopped teasing her, his e







