I stand in front of the mirror and look at my flat belly. Disbelief settles in that a human is growing inside of me. It's so surreal. I make myself turn away from my reflection, knowing I need to get ready for work. It's been a week since I got back from Hawaii, and I haven't seen or spoken to Beau. I've made sure to avoid him at all costs. Security at my office has been instructed to never allow him inside the building. And I blocked his number, too. I don't want to have any contact with him. I am done. For real this time.

Walking out of my room, I take the stairs down to the dining area for breakfast. I kiss Dad on the cheeks and take a seat on his right side. I haven't told him I'm pregnant yet, but I plan to tonight. He's going to be so disappointed in me. It's bad enough that I got knocked up but what makes it worse is who the father is. Dad hates Beau with a passion. He was scared I would kill myself because of how heartbroken I was after Beau cheated. Dad saw how madly in love with Beau I was and how his betrayal almost ruined me.

"Dad, what time will you get home today?" I ask, filling my plate with eggs.

"The usual time; why are you asking, dear?"

"I want to discuss something with you. Don't have dinner out; I'll cook tonight."

"You want to discuss something with me, and you are cooking? Something special must be going on." Dad smiles.

"Yes, in way," I reply, my stomach twisting.

"Can I know what it's about?"

"No."

"Alright, no problem," Dad says. "I'll be home on time today."

"Thank you," I say, just as Camila walks into the room.

"Good morning, everyone," she says, sitting beside me.

"Morning, dear." Dad lifts his head, looking around. "Where's Axel?"

"I don't know." I turn to Camila. "Have you seen him?"

"No, I haven't. Why would you ask me that?" Camila rushes to answer. I don't understand why she is acting like this. Surely, she must know the walls in this house aren't that thick.

"When he comes down, tell Axel to come over to my office later today," Dad says, finishing his food and standing up to leave.

"Okay, Dad. Bye," I say, and he pecks my cheeks before heading toward the door.

"Have a nice day at work, Uncle Fred," Camila calls, waving. He waves back before walking out.

After I'm sure Dad is out of earshot, I look at Camila. "I asked you about Axel's whereabouts, because my room is right next door to his, and my ears are working." My beauty sleep had been interrupted by Camila and Axel's morning sex.

"Oh my God, please tell me you didn't hear us!" Camila's cheeks redden, and she covers her face with her hands.

I move closer to her ear and whisper, "The walls are not as thick as you think, honey."

Camila's mouth hangs open. "How much did you hear?" she whispers back.

"Pretty much everything, you're loud." I try to mask the expression of disgust on my face as I recall the sounds of Camila's moans. My ears might start bleeding again if I think about it for too long.

"I am so sorry," she says, mortified.

"It's fine," I laugh, letting her know I'm just teasing. "Are you guys dating?"

"Not really."

"He didn't ask you to be his girlfriend?" That's surprising news.

"Well, he did."

"And? What did you say?"

"I haven't given him an answer yet."

"Why?"

"I'm scared," she admits.

"Of what?"

"A lot of things."

"Let me guess, one of them is the age gap?"

"Yes, but there's so many others."

"Like?"

Camila chews her lip nervously. "What if I am just a prize to him?"

"You're not. Why would you think that?"

"Well, you know, young boys see it as a big achievement to get an older woman to fall for them. I'm worried Axel might be doing that."

"Trust me, that's not why Axel wants to be with you."

"How can you be certain?"

"Because I know for a fact that knucklehead is in love with you. Besides, you are too young to be classified as a cougar, so I doubt getting you to fall for him would be considered an achievement in that sense." I understand where Camila is coming from. And I would feel the same way if I was involved with someone younger than me, but she doesn't have to worry about that. Axel was a player before, but I am confident in his feelings for Camila.

"You really think so?"

"Yes, I do, so stop worrying and be happy with him."

"Okay," she smiles. "I think I will."

"Morning, everyone," Axel says, coming through the door.

"Morning," I reply.

"Hello, sweetheart." Axel walks over to Camila and captures her lips in a passionate kiss. He releases her once he has them swollen and then sits next to her.

"Get a room you two," I say, rolling my eyes while they laugh at me.

***

Later at work, I step out of the restroom for the tenth time today. Apparently, you pee a lot when you're pregnant. Picking up my handbag from my desk, I walk out of my office and head to visit some of our new houses. I'm feeling a little tired, but I assume that's a normal pregnancy symptom. It's crazy to think how much this little person inside me is already affecting my body. I don't plan to spend much time at the building site. I'm going to quickly check how the houses are coming along and then go home to rest. I'm exhausted.

Luckily, the new houses aren't too far away from my office. I thank my driver as he holds the car door for me and then walk inside the uncompleted house to check how everything is going. I make sure all the lighting, plumbing, and other essentials have been done correctly. My tiredness only increases as I walk around. I really need to go home and rest.

Stepping out of one of the rooms, I see the devil himself walking into the house. I freeze where I stand and take him in as he walks over to the plumber who's working in the kitchen. He doesn't look good. Bags are under his eyes, making him look as exhausted as I feel. I know why I'm tired, but I don't know what could be making him look this bad.

"Delilah," Beau says, looking up from his conversation with the plumber and noticing me by the door. He makes his way over to me. "How are you doing? How are the both of you doing?" He tries to touch me, but I move away before he can.

"It's none of your business how we are doing." I push him away and walk out of the room, but halt as more fatigue hits me. I didn't know simply pushing someone could make you so tired, but I guess I can thank my baby for that. The beginnings of a headache twinge, and I reach up to massage my temples while trying to continue walking. I need to get home. I'll just check the houses later, when I can be sure he won't be here.

"It is my business," Beau says, coming up behind me.

"Maybe for now," I snap. "But not for long." My pace increases.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asks, panic in his voice. He catches up to me, blocking my path.

"It means the only thing that could force me have anything to do with you will not be an issue for much longer."

"You wouldn't." A shocked expression settles on Beau's face as he realizes what I'm saying.

I'm not going to abort the baby, but I want Beau to believe I am. I won't allow him to use me the way he wanted to. I may be pregnant, but I can still ruin his plans. "I would," I reply confidently.

"No, you wouldn't." Beau grabs my arms, pulling me closer to him. He searches my eyes to see if I'm lying, and I try my best not to show that I am. He needs to believe I want to abort our baby.

"Let go of me." I struggle to get out of his arms but fail. I'm too weak to push him away.

"Delilah, is something wrong?" Beau asks, worried.

"I'm fine." I hit Beau's hand, trying to make him release me, but I don't think that was a good idea. Beau must sense that something is wrong, because he lets me go. I take a step away from him but stop as my vision becomes blurry. It feels like all the strength has been sapped from my body. My eyelids are heavy, and my knees feel like they're about to give out on me at any second. I'm so dizzy.

"Delilah, what's going on? Is something wrong with the baby?" I can hear Beau, but his voice sounds so far away. The exhaustion is overwhelming, and I can barely hold my eyes open. Stretching out a hand, I look for something to hold on to as my knees give out and I crumple to the ground.

"Delilah!"Beau says in a panic. It's the last thing I hear before I black out.