"No, no, no, this can't be happening. I'm not ready for this."

I stared in disbelief at the two pink lines on the pregnancy test clutched in my trembling hands.

This was entirely his fault. Every bit of it. My palm ran over my face dramatically as I sank onto the coolness of the toilet seat, feeling a wave of panic sweep over me.

He had sweet-talked me into a moment of weakness that Monday morning. Compliments fell from his lips like honey, and his fingers danced along my skin, igniting a spark I couldn't ignore. I could've said no-I knew that- but I didn't. Instead, I let the heat of the moment carry me away, blissfully unaware of the consequences.

How on earth am I supposed to juggle a demanding nursing career and motherhood? This wasn't part of my plan.

When I married Ben, I envisioned enjoying our carefree newlywed life for what felt like an eternity before ever considering children. That's why, after every intimate moment, I took the morning-after pill religiously. But that morning? Everything changed in an instant.

We were both racing to get ready for work; I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my hair, while he adjusted his tie by the bed. One look from him, and suddenly reason slipped through my fingers.

"You're glowing today," he had said, his voice rich and warm. Before I knew it, he was pulling me in closer, his hands tracing my arms, whispers tickling my ear. Moments later, we had forgotten about our responsibilities, lost in a whirlwind of passion on the bed. Afterwards, we both walked out the door like the world hadn't turned upside down.

The chaos of my workday consumed me, and I completely forgot about the pill. It hit me like a lead weight. "What am I going to do now?"

Just as she spiralled deeper into her thoughts, she heard the familiar sound of the front door opening and closing. "Ben's home. I should probably go greet him and whip up something for dinner."

As she entered the living room, Ben dropped his suitcase onto the sofa with a tired sigh and began loosening his tie. Across the room, Scott stood, taking in their space with a whistling appreciation.

"Whoa! What a place. I bet having a house like this comes from having a great wife," he quipped, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"That depends on who you marry," I teased, causing both men to turn in surprise.

"Shelley! I didn't know you were back," Ben said, glancing at his watch with concern. "Is everything alright?"

"It's nothing serious, just a little under the weather. I was sent home," She reassured him before shifting her attention to Scott. "Can I get you something to drink?"

Before Scott could respond, Ben cut in. "Forget about him. If he wants a drink, he can get it himself." He stepped closer to her, eyes filled with worry. "You should be resting. Do you need anything from the pharmacy?"

"No, really, I'm fine. It's just a small thing," she said quickly, hoping to ease his concern. Then she turned to the men. "So why are you two back early?"

"We wrapped up a meeting and figured it was too late to head back to work. So, we thought we'd tackle a few tasks here instead," Scott explained casually.

She couldn't help but interject. "Gentlemen, ever heard of the saying 'whatever happens at work stays at work'? This isn't a firm-it's our home."

Ben started to respond, but she held up a hand. "Listen, I'm going to make myself clear: whatever you brought from the office, you'd better finish it by six."

With that, she turned on her heels. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some dishes to take care of. And Scott, you're staying for dinner."

As she walked away, the gravity of her situation weighed on her. What had I just stepped into?

A baby! I am screwed.

***

Sylvia kicked off her shoes the moment she stepped into her room at her parents' house, exhaustion washing over her like a heavy blanket. She collapsed onto her bed, feeling a weight that seemed far heavier than her work attire.

Who would have thought that being a lawyer could be this nerve-wracking? Sure, her professors back in law school loved to give them horror stories about the profession, but she figured that was just their way of discouraging those who couldn't handle it. Never in her wildest dreams did she think the reality could be so taxing.

Studying law had felt like a breeze-intellectually stimulating and enjoyable. But now, as she embarked on her career as an associate solicitor, she found herself overwhelmed. The transition from theory to practice was a wild ride, and she wasn't quite ready for the chaos that awaited her.

As she lay in bed, lost in her swirl of thoughts, she didn't notice Mabel, her older sister, standing in the doorway, a knowing look on her face.

"Tough day at work?" Mabel asked, breaking the silence.

"You have no idea," Sylvia sighed, sitting up and running a hand through her hair.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really. But let me tell you about Mr. Adam-he's a taskmaster like no other. He's particular about everything, especially his food. He orders it himself, and when he hands out assignments, he expects them to be done precisely when he wants them. No room for excuses."

She rolled her eyes. "And then there's his brother-what's his deal? He's always trying to engage me in conversation, acting all charming and witty. Ugh!"

Mabel raised an eyebrow, scepticism etched on her face. "Maybe he just wants to be friendly, you know?"

"Friendly? Please! I'm not there to make friends. I'm there to work, and I'd prefer he directs his charm elsewhere-somewhere it's actually needed!"

Mabel shook her head, half-amused and half-concerned. "Listen, Sylvia. If you want to climb the ladder in this industry, you can't do it alone. You need connections-alliances. I think you should give Mr. Scott a chance. He could be an ally for you."

"Absolutely not! Have you met the guy? He's infuriatingly charming and, honestly, a bit childish-a total distraction I can't afford right now."

Sylvia turned to Mabel, determination in her eyes. "Do you remember why I asked you to help me land this job? I'm here to become the youngest partner in the firm! How can I possibly do that with Mr. Handsome sidetracking me? I need to win over Mr. Adam so he can trust me with some cases of my own."

She took Mabel's hand, seeking support. "Any ideas on how to do that?"

Mabel shrugged, the corners of her mouth lifting into a sympathetic smile. "I wish I did. But it looks like you're going to have to put in some serious work to prove yourself."

With a disappointing sigh, Sylvia released her sister's hand. The road ahead felt daunting, but she knew she had no choice but to charge forward.

_

A/N: Hey guys. Don't forget to drop a comment or vote. Until next time don't be a stranger to this story.