I need to tell you something

Athilda's pov

I heard the door open behind me, and moments later, Enzo's presence filled the room. He sat beside me, silent at first. I ignored him and cried even harder.

"Hey… shh. Stop crying," he said softly, crouching down beside me.

I snapped my head toward him. "Are you happy now?! I'm not pregnant anymore! You have nothing to worry about! So go! Leave!"

I pushed him weakly, but he caught my hands and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Damn it… Of course I'm not happy. Stop crying, baby," he whispered, holding me closer.

I did not have the strength to fight him anymore. I just broke down completely, sobbing into his chest. I felt so broken.

"Why... why is this happening to me?"

"We can still try again. If you want… we can have a baby," he said gently.

I shook my head, crying harder.

"I wanted this baby… I really did… Am I really not pregnant?" I sobbed, my voice trembling.

Enzo took a breath. "I'm sorry… I need to tell you something. But before that, please fix yourself first, okay?"

His sudden apology made my chest tighten. Why was he apologising? What did he do? My heart raced. A terrifying thought hit me.

"Don't tell me you made me lose the baby?! That food you gave me earlier, was it poisoned?!" I screamed, pulling away from him. "How dare you! I never even asked you to be the father!"

Even though I felt weak, I still managed to shove him with everything I had left.

"No! Of course not! Why would I do that? I'm a doctor, I save lives, Athilda. I do not destroy them," he said in frustration. "And I would never hurt that baby. It's mine too."

"Then what?! What are you sorry for?! Just tell me!" I shouted.

"No. Fix yourself first. Or do you want me to change your pads? You choose."

"Damn you, Enzo! If you won't say it, then get out!" I screamed.

He shut his eyes tightly, stood up, and for a second I thought he was finally going to leave, but no. He suddenly picked me up in his arms and carried me toward the bathroom.

"Put me down, jerk!" I yelled, struggling in his arms.

"Then choose. Do you want me to take care of that, or not?" he said flatly.

"Put me down! I'll do it myself! Get out, pervert!" I shouted, hitting his chest.

"Good," he smirked, then gently set me down.

"I'll wait outside and prepare food, alright?" he said, then walked out of the bathroom and closed the door.

I stood there, frozen for a second. Then I sighed and began to clean myself up.

After about 15 minutes, I was done. I changed into a pair of black pyjamas and a white tank top. When I stepped out, I quietly sat on the couch, then slowly lay back and stared at the ceiling.

The tears started falling again.

"I really wanted that baby… I wanted to be a mother," I whispered to the empty room.

God… why? Why didn't You let me have this chance? I can handle it, I have a job, I have savings, I have a place of my own. I'm ready. I just wanted someone who would truly love me.

Mom and Dad? They only ever care about my sister. Even though she only thinks about herself. And my ex? God, that idiot Lucien never loved me. He just used me. Keturah, my best friend, is probably the only one who ever made me feel like I mattered.

Knock knock.

"Hey, are you not done yet?" Enzo called from outside.

Why is he still here? I thought angrily.

"What are you still doing here?! Just leave already!" I shouted.

"Open the damn door, Athilda. Or I'll break it," he warned. His voice was low and serious. I knew that tone. His jaw was probably clenched right now.

"Then break it! I don't care! Just leave!" I screamed. "I'll call security if you don't!"

"Do not test me, Athilda!" he yelled from the other side.

"Go ahead and test your own face, idiot!"

Bang! The loud thud against the door made me sit up in shock.

"F-ck you, Enzo! I'm calling the guard!" I shouted again, standing and searching for my phone. But I could not find it anywhere. I groaned as I realized it was outside with him. I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Fine! I'll open the door!"

The banging stopped. I unlocked and swung the door open.

"What is your problem?! Are you not even ashamed?! You are making a scene!" I scolded him, furious. But he just looked at me, calm and blank.

"I can pay for that damn door ten times over. Now come on," he said, grabbing my wrist and dragging me to the dining area.

There, I was greeted by a full spread of food, seafood like shrimp, crab, and mussels. There was salad again, and so much more.

"You cooked all this?" I asked, knowing I still had these same ingredients stocked in the fridge.

"No. I had it delivered," he replied as he sat and began serving food onto my plate. I just stared at him, stunned.

"Why are you doing all this? I am not even pregnant," I said, raising an eyebrow.

He met my eyes but said nothing. "Eat."

I rolled my eyes. I was not in the mood to argue, especially with food in front of me, and I had not eaten since morning. We ate quietly. Then, suddenly, he spoke.

"I guess you skipped lunch?"

I paused. "Yeah. I fell asleep… I thought it was because of the pregnancy, but it wasn't," I sighed, setting down my spoon.

"Why are you so desperate to get pregnant by a stranger? Don't you have a boyfriend?"

I glared at him. "None of your business."

"You are my business. So answer me."

What the hell? How am I suddenly his business?

"Fine. I just want to feel loved. And no, I do not have a boyfriend. Happy now?" I snapped, and he looked at me like he did not believe a word I said.

"What the heck? I'm not fishing for answers, I'm just curious. What about your family? Do they know what you've been up to?"

Wow. Look at him, switching topics just to dodge that burn. Got embarrassed, huh?

"Wait. We're not even close, so stop asking so many questions," I said, clearly annoyed.

"Sorry," he muttered, finally realising he was overstepping.

I smirked. Serves you right. Mr. Fast Closer.

"Speaking of sorry… what were you apologising for earlier? What were you about to tell me?" I asked.

He shook his head. "After you eat. Finish your food first."

Ugh. So bossy. He was lucky I was too tired and hungry to start another fight.

Minutes passed. I did not finish my plate, I was already full. I brought my plate to the sink and started cleaning up. He stood as well and helped clear the table while I washed the dishes.

Afterwards, I walked into the living room. He was sitting on the couch, eyes closed. I caught myself staring. Why is he still attractive even when he looks this tired? His shirt was partly unbuttoned and his hair a bit messy, but somehow, it made him look even better. How unfair. I sat beside him. He opened his eyes and glanced at me with a sleepy gaze.

"After this, you tell me what you were going to say. Then go home. You look exhausted," I said, folding my arms.

He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry…" he began, his eyes soft and tired.

"Okay, spill it," I said, bracing myself.

"I used a condom," he said directly.

I froze. The words hit me like a truck. My face turned hot. All the blood in my body seemed to rise to my head.

What?!

"Why?! I thought the plan was to get me pregnant! That was the deal, right?! I told you, you would not be responsible, no one would know you're the father. It was clear! You were just supposed to give me your sperm!" I snapped, my voice cracking with pain.

My eyes were burning again.

"I… I can't," he said, shaking his head and rubbing his temple.

"Can't? Seriously?! You should've told me right away you were using protection! So I wouldn't have hoped at all! Do you have any idea how painful that hope was?!" I cried.

"If you knew I would not get pregnant, then why did you still do all this? Why make me believe in something that would never happen? You gave me hope, Enzo! I thought… I thought someone would finally love me. I thought I'd finally become a mother. I thought I would have someone of my own…"

My voice broke.

"F-ck you."

He just stared at me, eyes full of something soft I could not even name.

"Shh… This is not the right time, baby…" he whispered, pulling me into a hug. And that was it, I completely broke down in his arms.