Alina's Pov I sprinted down the pristine hallway, my footsteps echoing against the marble floors of the otherwise silent office building. The modern glass walls and sleek metal fixtures, so sterile and orderly, contrasted starkly with the chaos roiling inside me. My heart pounded not just from exertion but from the memory of that kiss—Theodore's lips on mine, hot and demanding, pushing me toward a pleasure I couldn't afford. Not from him. "Alina, wait!" His voice, deep and insistent, reverberated through the empty space, slicing through the stillness. I didn't dare look back. I couldn't face him, not after what had almost happened. My cheeks burned with the memory, my body still humming with the remnants of our encounter. I veered around a corner, the conference rooms blurring in my peripheral vision. The office's beauty, its floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a panoramic city view, felt like a cruel mockery. It had seen everything—the way his gaze softened before he kissed me,

Alina's Pov Theodore shook his head, his expression gentle. "It's alright. Don't worry." His calm, reassuring tone helped soothe my panic. Theodore moved to a nearby cabinet, pulling out a large folder. He handed it to me, along with his jacket. "Here, use this to cover up." I gratefully took the items and used the jacket to cover the stain, then stood up, the folder clutched tightly in my hands. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. He nodded. "Let's get you out of here." We walked out together, Theodore following behind me, shielding me from any lingering eyes. Once in the hallway, he guided me to a side corridor and then led me up to his office until we reached the bathroom that I had never really seen before. "You should go in," he said, his voice still low and kind. "I’ll be back in a minute." I nodded, overwhelmed by his understanding. "Thank you, Theodore. I really appreciate it." He gave me a small, encouraging smile. "It's no problem, Alina. Take

Alina's Pov “How are you feeling now?” Theodore asked, joining Asher and me at the breakfast table. It was my fourth day of the cycle, so the pain had thankfully subsided. After the first agonizing day, the weekend had arrived just in time to save my sanity. I dreaded to think how cranky I would have been if I’d had to work through it.Asher was perched on my lap, eagerly accepting bites of fruit I fed him. “I'm alright,” I replied, trying to sound as normal as possible.Theodore didn’t respond immediately, prompting me to look up and face him. His intense gaze, fixed on me and Asher, made my stomach flutter with unease. There was a strange mix of desperation and regret in his eyes. He seemed lost in his thoughts, watching the way I fed Asher. When he realized I was observing him, he quickly cleared his throat and coughed awkwardly.“That's good to hear,” he finally said.“Morning, Daddy!” Asher chirped, his mouth full of a large chunk of apple.“Morning, buddy. Did you sleep well la

Theodore's Pov From across the hall, I saw Elliot approach Alina with that familiar, easy grin plastered on his face. He extended a hand to her, and she hesitated for a moment before accepting. My stomach churned as I watched them step onto the dance floor. The band struck up a jolly tune, and they began to move together, their steps light and carefree. Asher was busy playing nearby, completely oblivious to the tension building within me.I tried to focus on Mr. Robinson's words, nodding and responding appropriately, but my attention was elsewhere. Alina was laughing now, her head thrown back in that way that always made my heart skip a beat. Elliot spun her around, his hand resting on her waist, and I felt a surge of jealousy so strong it almost made me see red.The music shifted, the lively tempo giving way to a slower, more intimate melody. Couples drifted onto the dance floor, swaying in each other's arms. I watched as Elliot pulled Alina closer, their bodies moving in sync. It w

Author's Pov Alina sat cross-legged on her bed, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm light over the photo album spread out before her. She traced a finger over the images of Asher, her heart swelling with a mixture of pride and sorrow. How could it be that four years had flown by so quickly? It felt like just yesterday that she and Thea had gone for that first ultrasound, the tiny flicker of a heartbeat promising so much joy and change. Her eyes lingered on a photo of Asher as a baby, his cherubic face alight with laughter as he played on a picnic blanket. She remembered that day vividly, the scent of fresh grass, Thea’s laughter echoing through the park, and the sheer happiness that had enveloped her. But now, her baby was growing up, transforming into the little gentleman she had always hoped he would be. A tear slipped down her cheek as she marveled at the swift passage of time, feeling a pang of sadness at how fleeting those early years had been.Lost in her reverie, she did