Chapter 14 – Strains and Rumors

It started with whispers.

“Is she… gaining weight?”

“Must be stress. Or sushi with Carter.”

By Wednesday, the whispers sharpened.

That afternoon, Andrew cornered me by the glass stairwell, the cityscape a blurred mosaic behind him.

“Fiona,” he began, voice low, “tell me the whispers aren’t true. Are you… pregnant?”

My pulse hammered. “Office gossip needs better hobbies.”

His eyes flicked to my mid‑section and back. “Just answer me.”

“Even if I were,” I said carefully, “it’s none of your business.”

His jaw tensed. “It is if—”

“If what?” I cut in. “If you’re the father?” The words tasted like rust. “Drop it, Andrew.”

Something like hurt flickered across his features. He stepped back, palms raised in surrender. “Right. Personal.”

We left it there—unfinished blueprints of a conversation neither of us was ready to build.

“Pregnant,” someone said behind a hand. “Definitely.”

Thursday, an exec from Legal pulled me aside.