The Pregnancy

The hospital room smelled of antiseptic and something stale, like forgotten hope. Selena sat on the examination table, her fingers curling and uncurling against the stiff paper lining. The room was cold, or maybe it was just her. She felt detached, floating somewhere between disbelief and fear.

"You're pregnant," the doctor had said, his voice gentle, almost sympathetic. The words still echoed in her head, looping over and over until she felt like she might go insane.

Pregnant.

She swallowed hard, pressing a hand to her still-flat stomach. There was life inside her. A tiny, growing life. And she had no idea what to do.

The city had always felt a little lonely, but now it was suffocating. She had no family here, no close friends to turn to. She had moved for a fresh start, to escape a past that felt more like a series of disappointments than actual memories. And now this?

A baby?

Selena inhaled sharply, wrapping her arms around herself as if she could keep the world from caving in. She wasn't ready for this. She had always assumed that when she had a child—if she had a child—it would be under different circumstances. Love, commitment, security. Not the result of a single reckless night.

But that night...

She closed her eyes, and like a flickering candle in the darkness, the memories came rushing back.

That Night.

It had been an impulse, a moment of weakness. Or maybe it had been fate.

She had gone to the bar to celebrate her promotion, though in truth, there was no one there to celebrate with. A lonely drink had turned into two, and then she had met him.

She never got his name. But she would never forget him.

Golden eyes that burned with an intensity that made her shiver. Strong arms that wrapped around her like a promise. The way he had looked at her, like she was the only woman in the universe. Like he had been waiting for her.

"Mine," he had growled against her skin as he claimed her, his voice possessive, raw with need. She had felt it, deep in her bones. It had scared her how much she had wanted to believe him.

One night.

It had been one night, but it had changed everything.

Selena exhaled shakily, rubbing her forehead. What was she supposed to do? Track him down and tell him? She didn't even know where to start. And what if he wanted nothing to do with this? What if he was just another man passing through the city, never looking back?

But his eyes... She couldn't forget them. Couldn't forget the way he had held her like she was precious, irreplaceable.

Was he the kind of man who would walk away? Or was he the kind of man who meant it when he said mine?

Her chest ached with uncertainty. She had never had anyone to rely on before. Why should now be any different?

She stared down at her stomach, at the life growing inside her. Could she do this alone?

Selena had always been independent. She had fought for everything she had. But this... this was different. This wasn't just about her anymore.

Her mind raced through every possibility, weighing every option. Abortion. Adoption. Keeping the baby. Every choice felt heavy, overwhelming. But deep down, she already knew she couldn't give this child away.

Because despite the fear, despite the uncertainty, a small, fragile part of her already loved this baby.

Tears stung her eyes. "What do I do?" she whispered to no one.

The silence was deafening.

She thought of him again. The way he had touched her, the way he had kissed her like he was trying to memorize her. He had been rough and passionate, but there had been a tenderness beneath it, something almost reverent.

What if he was looking for her too?

Selena shook her head. That was a fantasy. Life didn't work that way. If he had wanted more than that night, he would have asked for her number. He would have left a way for her to find him.

But what if he had reasons? What if he thought she wouldn't want to see him again? What if he was just as haunted by that night as she was?

The questions burned inside her, but there were no answers. Not yet.

Selena wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. No matter what happened, she would figure this out. She had to. Because she wasn't just making choices for herself anymore.

And maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as alone as she thought.

x-x-x-x-x

The room was dark, but in her dream, Selena was surrounded by heat.

A phantom touch ghosted over her skin, slow and teasing, a whisper of warmth that sent shivers cascading down her spine. Fingers traced her collarbone, calloused and sure, before gliding lower, brushing over her bare stomach, making her muscles clench with anticipation.

She gasped, her breath hitching as the sensation of strong hands gripped her hips, pulling her back against a firm chest. A deep, velvety voice rumbled in her ear, sending a delicious shudder through her body.

"Mine."

That word. That voice. It was possessive, raw with hunger, a declaration that set her whole body aflame. She didn't fight it—didn't want to. Instead, she melted against him, against the heat of his body, the sheer strength of him. His arms wrapped around her, holding her tight, like he never wanted to let go.

Lips brushed the sensitive skin behind her ear, tracing slow, open-mouthed kisses down the curve of her neck. Each touch sent electricity crackling through her, making her legs weak, making her want—

A hand slid up her thigh, parting her, teasing, promising more.

Selena moaned, tilting her head back against his shoulder. "Please…"

He chuckled, a low, sinful sound that reverberated through her. "So eager," he murmured, his breath hot against her ear. "You remember me, don't you?"

She did. And yet… she didn't.

Golden eyes flashed in the darkness, molten and hungry. But his face—his name—remained just out of reach, like a dream slipping through her fingers.

Frustration mingled with desire as his hands explored her body with slow, agonizing precision. His fingers danced over her ribs, brushing the curve of her breast, making her arch into his touch. Heat pooled deep inside her, an ache that only he could satisfy.

"Say it," he commanded, his voice rough, almost desperate. "Say my name."

Selena parted her lips, tried to form the word—

But it was gone.

The dream shattered.

She woke with a gasp, her chest heaving, her body trembling from the aftershocks of pleasure. The sheets were tangled around her legs, damp with sweat. Her thighs pressed together involuntarily, desperate for the phantom touch that had already faded.

"No…" she whispered, running a shaky hand through her hair. The dream had been so real. She could still feel the heat of his breath against her skin, still hear the possessive growl of his voice. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember his name, his face—just the golden eyes that haunted her.

Her pulse was a wild drumbeat in her ears. She exhaled shakily, her hand drifting to her stomach. The life growing inside her was proof that he wasn't just a dream. He was real.

But who was he?

And why did it feel like her body still belonged to him?