A Shattered Plan

Arec's POV:

I sat alone in my office, staring blankly at the sleek surface of my desk. The polished wood reflected the light from the window, but it all felt distant, out of focus. I wasn't seeing the desk. Hell, I wasn't seeing anything at all.

Ella's words played over and over in my head, like a haunting echo I couldn't escape.

"I'm pregnant."

I'd had meticulously crafted this plan, a simple, businesslike arrangement to secure my place as CEO. A fake marriage, a mutually beneficial contract. It was supposed to be clean. Efficient. No strings attached. Just enough to satisfy my grandmother's ultimatum and get her off my back.

But now... everything was upended. I had thought I could control every outcome, anticipate every twist. But this, this wasn't something I'd planned for. Not even close.

A baby.