Chapter 7 : I stared at the two pink lines on the test , my chest tight with emotions I couldnt name .
A part of me wanted to smile because it was our child mine and Jaysons .
But that part was small , fragile , buned under a mountain of guilt , anger , and regret It felt wrong to have this baby .

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But it felt even worse to think of not having it So , I did what I knew best 1 buried it .
Shoved the test to the back of the drawer , buried the truth deep within me , and focused on the only thing I had control over work .
At the research facility , whispers trailed me like shadows , clinging to the sterile white walls and polished glass panels .
They didnt even try to hide it .
The clicks of my heels echoed down the hall , but their voices sliced through the sound like knives .
!! Thats her the fiancée of Johan The one from the news .
Must be nice having connections No wonder shes leading the project .
Its not her qualifications its the ring on her finger ? Probably slept her way to the top I clenched my jaw , keeping my gaze fixed ahead .
Pretending not to hear was easier than acknowledging the sting of every word .
But they landed anyway , sharp and imitating , like tiny splinters embedding themselves under my skin .
The engagement had gone public faster than I expected Johans announcement had been bold , plastered across every news outlet with photos of us together his arm wrapped around me , that arrogant smirk on his face while I forced a polite smile .
The headlines screamed .
Billionaire Heir Johan Declares Engagement to Research Lead Anastacia Gray X And with it , the assumptions began They didnt know me.X They didnt know how hard Id worked , the years Id spent buried in textbooks , labs , and late nights just to be here .
They didnt know the sleepless nights , the sacrifices , the dreams Id built from scratch Learned this .
But none of that mattered now .
All they saw was the diamond on my finger and the man who put it there .
Then one afternoon , as I struggled to steady my breathing , the door creaked open .
Johan leaned casually against the doorframe , his signature smirk in place , like nothing in the world could touch him But this time , his eyes werent filled with amusement .
They were sharp .
I knew that look .
Without saying a word to me he pushed off the doorframe , striding into the open office space .
Conversations fell into awkward silence as he stopped right in the middle of the room , his presence commanding attention .
Isnt it funny , Johans voice rang out smooth yet laced with steel , how people with mediocre achievements have the loudest opinions ? Murmurs rippled through the room .
Heads tumed .
Some looked away , pretending to be busy .
He continued , For those of you cunous Anastacia didnt sleep her way to the top .
She got here because shes smarter than half of you combined .
Her research proposal was accepted before she even mat me Silence Johans gaze swept across the room , daring anyone to challenge him .
If anyone has a problem with her position , feel free to work harder .
Maybe youll catch up someday He turned back to me , his smirk retuming with a softer edge .
Lunch ? he asked casually , as if he hadnt just dismantled the entire office with a few sharp words .
I sat there , stunned , my heart pounding not from embarrassment , but something else entirely .
Relief because for the first time , there was a man who defended me ¦¦ Later that day , I felt nauseous again and started vomiting Johan had noticed it already as he entered the bathroom.X Youre pregnant , arent you ? he said , no hesitation , no sugar coating.X I froze , my heart racing Yes , I whispered , not meeting his gaze .
I dont know what to do .
% Johan walked in , unbothered , and sat on the edge of my desk .
Well , thats great news ! My head snapped up .
What ? baby and a fiancée ? Perfect combination .
He grinned .
Yeah .
We can use this for my inheritance .
A baby I glared at him .
Its not your child .
Johan shrugged , completely unfazed .
So ? Ill be the father .
Doesnt matter whose it is .
Its a win win .
I stared at him , trying to process his words ! Was it really that simple ? No.
It wasnt .
But maybe it could be .
I didnt want to kill this baby I didnt want to carry Jaysons child alone either So , I nodded .
Fine His smile grew wider Great Well arrange the wedding as soon as possible .
I blinked What about the project ? Im not allowed to have outside contact .
Remember your rules ? I blinked .
What about the project ? Im not allowed to have outside contact .
Remember your rules ? Johan leaned closer , his voice dropping .
made that rule so I could keep you all to myself .
My heart stumbled , What ? He chuckled softly , like it was obvious .
You know youre the head of this project , right ? Dont worry , I really didnt know it was gonna be you so you earned this spot .
It was later on when I knew and I made that rule because I didnt want Jayson sniffing around .
But now that youre here mine theres no problem I stared at him , heart pounding for reasons I couldnt explain .
What ? I dont understand .
Why ? His smile faded , replaced by something more serious .
His gaze locked with mine , sharp and direct .
Do you know why Jayson and arent friends anymore ? I didnt answer .
He did.X Because of you The air left my lungs .
I told him I liked you , Johan continued .
But he said you were off limits That allowed to touch you .
And like an idiot , I agreed .
But now .
He leaned closer , his breath warm against my skin .
Now I realize I was stupid to follow his rules .
I stared at him , heart racing , mind spinning All this time , I thought Johan was just another complication , another piece of the mess Jayson and I created .
But he wasnt Hed been there all along , hiding behind rivalry , resentment , and rules .
I didnt know what to say .
So , I said nothing .
Because for the first time in a long time , I wasnt sure what I felt .
My heart was just beating so fast