Each night, she lay awake, debating how to tell him. It wasn't a conversation she could have over text, but finding the right moment felt impossible.

She rehearsed it in her mind, over and over, yet each scenario ended in uncertainty. What words could she use? How could she soften the impact of something so life-altering? Even if she managed to say it aloud, there was no way to predict his reaction. Every time she thought about dialing his number, an invisible weight pressed against her chest, stealing her breath. As much as she hated to admit it, she had developed feelings for Li. It went beyond their sexual chemistry, beyond the late-night conversations and the quiet moments where words weren't needed. It was real. And that terrified her.

But she didn't want to ruin his career. She knew what this kind of news could do—not just to his carefully curated life, but to his public image. She had read enough headlines, seen enough scandals to know how unforgiving the world could be. Their child was innocent, and she wanted to protect them from the harsh scrutiny of the world. She and Li could handle the whispers, the judgment, the opinions of those who thought they knew better. But a child? A child deserved peace, love, and security.

Those nights turned into weeks, and those weeks quickly turned into months. The secret nestled deep within her grew, both physically and emotionally. She still spoke to Li Wei, but something had shifted. She found herself hesitating before responding to his messages, keeping their conversations shorter. The moments that used to bring her joy now filled her with anxiety.

She had also started avoiding video calls. At first, it was subconscious, brushing them off with excuses about bad reception or a long day. But as her body changed, it became deliberate. She couldn't risk him seeing the roundness of her cheeks, the fullness of her body. She knew Li Wei. He was observant, attuned to the smallest details. He would notice. He would ask. And she wasn't ready to answer.

Her phone buzzed one evening while she was curled up on the couch, a cup of peppermint tea growing cold beside her. She had barely touched it, her appetite dwindling under the weight of her thoughts. The night stretched long and quiet, but her mind was restless, weaving between hope and fear. She glanced at the screen. His name. Her heart twisted.

Are you okay? You've been distant lately.

Sienna stared at his message, fingers hovering over her screen. She wanted to tell him at that moment. The truth was burning inside her, clawing its way to the surface. But the words felt too big, too life-changing. Once spoken, they could never be taken back.

Just busy with work and residential projects, she finally replied.

The three dots appeared. Then disappeared.

She held her breath.

Alright. Just let me know if you need anything.

She swallowed hard, closing her eyes as guilt twisted in her chest.

Li cared about her—truly cared. Even from halfway across the world, he was showing up for her in ways she had never experienced before. More so than she could ever say about her previous relationships. He was steady, thoughtful, and always made her feel like she mattered.

He would want to know that she was pregnant. He would want the opportunity to share these moments with her, she knew he would. He would be the kind of father who read parenting books, who made spreadsheets to track baby milestones, who stayed up late researching the safest cribs and the softest blankets. He would be there.

But how could she tell him when she wasn't even sure how he'd react? Would he be angry? Would he feel betrayed? Would he think she had done this on purpose to trap him? Would he see her differently?

The thought made her stomach twist. But deep down, she knew Li Wei. He was kind, responsible, and deeply loyal. But he also had his career, his obligations, and his life in China. What if telling him only complicated things for both of them? What if he resented her for turning his world upside down?

The anxiety gnawed at her, the weight of the secret pressing heavier each day. It manifested in sleepless nights, in the way she absentmindedly touched her stomach, as if to reassure herself that she was making the right choice.

But was she? Could silence ever truly be the right answer? She found herself daydreaming about what it would be like to tell him—to see his face light up with joy, to hear the awe in his voice. Or, maybe, to see his expression tighten with worry, to hear the hesitation in his tone as he tried to find the right words.

She imagined every scenario, but none of them felt right. None of them felt safe.

Her hands cradled the small swell of her stomach, feeling the warmth of life growing inside her. In those moments, she felt both fiercely protective and unbearably alone.

The baby was hers to nurture, hers to shield, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—someone was missing. It was surreal. Sometimes, in the quiet of the night, she would whisper to the baby, telling them stories about their father.

How he was brilliant, how he had the gentlest smile, how he once stayed up with her for hours just to listen to the sound of rain against the window. She wanted their child to know him—really know him. But to do that, she had to find the courage to tell him the truth.

She had to stop running from the inevitable.

A sharp kick against her ribs startled her, pulling her back to the present. A breathless laugh escaped her. "You're getting stronger," she murmured, rubbing small circles against her belly. The baby responded with another nudge, as if agreeing.

Her eyes drifted back to her phone. She picked it up, thumb hovering over Li Wei's contact. A part of her ached to hear his voice, to share the truth and unburden herself of this secret. But another part feared the unknown—how his tone might change, how their dynamic might shift irreversibly. She could call him. She could finally say the words out loud.

Her heart pounded.

Not yet.

Instead of answering or calling him to tell him, she set her phone aside and rested her hand on her belly, feeling the steady movement beneath her palm.

"Soon," she whispered. "Just not yet."