Lara couldn't sleep.
She turned in her bed for the third time, her mind racing with thoughts. The room was dark and quiet, but her heart beat loudly in her chest. Ethan. Amelia. The baby. It all felt like too much, too fast.
How could she be carrying a child… and not know who the father was?
She sat up slowly, placing a hand on her stomach. Two and a half months. That meant the night everything changed was still a mystery. She had been at a party. A celebration for a company project—there had been champagne, laughter, music... but then everything went blurry.
Someone had helped her that night. A man. She couldn't see his face in her memories, only his warm voice and the comfort of his arms. She had tried to forget it all, thinking it wasn't important. But now, everything mattered.
Suddenly, she heard a soft knock at her bedroom door.
"Lara? Are you awake?" It was Amelia's voice.
Lara hesitated. "Yes. Come in."
Amelia opened the door and stepped inside with a small smile. She was wearing a silk robe and looked more relaxed than earlier.
"I couldn't sleep either," Amelia said, sitting beside her on the bed. "I kept thinking about how you reacted earlier."
"I was just surprised," Lara said carefully. "You didn't tell me about Ethan."
"I wanted to. But the timing never felt right," Amelia sighed. "You looked like you were going through your own struggles."
Lara looked away, her throat tight. "Yeah… something like that."
Amelia placed a hand on her arm. "You know you can talk to me, right?"
Lara nodded slowly but didn't speak.
There was silence for a moment. Then Amelia asked gently, "Is there something going on at work?"
Lara blinked. "Why?"
"You've seemed a bit distracted lately. And Ethan... he mentioned you've been quieter than usual."
Lara's chest tightened. So he noticed?
"No, nothing big. Just trying to adapt," she lied softly.
Amelia smiled. "I'm glad. Ethan is very professional, even if he seems distant. He cares deeply for those he trusts."
Lara swallowed hard. If only you knew…
"By the way," Amelia added casually, "We're planning a small engagement dinner. Just family and close friends. I'd love for you to be there."
Lara forced a smile. "Of course. I wouldn't miss it."
Inside, her heart ached. She was living a lie. Carrying a secret. And now she had to smile through it all while watching her sister prepare to marry the man who might be tied to her child.
As Amelia left the room with a kiss on Lara's forehead, Lara lay back on her pillow and stared at the ceiling.
She had to find the truth. Not just for her—but for her baby.