Olivia

I don't know what came over me in that moment of our close proximity. My hand instinctively moved towards his bare chest, and I placed my palms against his skin. An electric shock surged through my body, sending tingles down my legs. The desire to have his lips on mine intensified, growing more powerful by the second. Logan's grip around my waist remained firm as his intense gaze locked with mine. I closed my eyes, anticipating the touch of his lips to satisfy the unexpected craving that consumed me.

"Why don't you go back to your room now?" His words brushed against my earlobe, snapping me out of my reverie. A smug smile danced upon his lips. I hadn't seen that coming. He was well aware of the effect he had on me, evident from the expression on my face. He noticed how I closed my eyes. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words got caught in my throat. Logan spoke again, his voice dripping with mischief. "But I can give you the privilege of undressing me with your eyes if you want to."

Embarrassment flooded my cheeks, as I had indeed been imagining undressing him with my gaze. Imagining him ravishing every inch of my body, kissing me passionately, taking me to new heights...

Olivia, enough!

"I... I want... goodnight," I managed to stammer, my voice barely recognizable as my own. I hastily left the room, not daring to look back or pause. I made a beeline for my own room, shutting the door behind me with a thud. I approached the bed and pulled the covers up to my nose, seeking solace in their warmth.

Why did I let myself indulge in such fantasies about how Logan would make me feel?

"Olivia, pull yourself together," I murmured, lightly slapping my face. Truth be told, I had already been prepared for his kiss earlier. I longed for his lips to remind me of the passion we shared during our one-night stand. I couldn't remember all the details of that night because I was drunk. But now, I wanted to feel it, to experience it fully, to awaken my dormant desires.

"God!" I exclaimed, rumpling the bed sheets in frustration. I couldn't stop thinking about his nakedness. The memory of it made me blush, and I could swear I felt a moistness between my legs. I was certain he was shocked as I was.

"Let's forget about it, Olivia. It's not going to happen again," I reassured myself, turning off the lamp and closing my eyes. Maybe when I woke up the next day, I would be able to put it all behind me.

I had hoped to push the scene out of my mind the following morning, but as soon as Logan walked down to join us for breakfast, it all came rushing back. The almost-kiss we had shared. What the hell!

"Why are you hissing?" Amelia's voice broke through my thoughts. Did I say that aloud?

I forced a smile and directed my attention to the breakfast in front of me. The usual silence enveloped the room, as was customary in the Nero family. I couldn't say for certain what was occupying the thoughts of the others, but for me, my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't help but think about the baby growing inside me. As time went on, my stomach would grow larger, and questions would arise from the family. How would we explain it? Would I be able to handle it?

Logan was the first to leave the table, not even glancing in my direction. It didn't sit well with me. Was he embarrassed? That I had caught a glimpse of him? I couldn't even fathom why I had gone to his room in the first place. Was it to finish our discussion or simply because I had no one else to talk to? Between the two reasons, I had no clear answer.

I pushed the thoughts from my mind and finished my meal. I helped the maid collect the used plates and took them to the kitchen. "Olivia, can we talk?" Amelia ventured into the kitchen.

I raised an eyebrow, wondering what she wanted to discuss with me. I nodded and followed her lead. We made our way to the balcony of the house. "I want to talk to you about your pregnancy," she began, and my heart pounded in my chest. Had she discovered who the father was?

I tried to remain composed, intertwining my hands together. She continued, "Who is the father?" Her direct question made me turn my face towards her in surprise.

"Why do you ask?" I responded, my voice filled with curiosity.

"Because I'm a doctor, and I know what pregnancy does to young girls. I'm not trying to meddle in your personal affairs, but I can't help but be worried about you. That's why I want to know who the father is," Amelia explained.

I took a deep breath, letting her words sink in. It was a fear I had been grappling with. "The father is supporting me in every way he can," I answered. I couldn't possibly tell her that Logan was the father. We hadn't discussed it yet.

"So you mean to tell me he's supporting you while you're here, facing this alone?"

"Well... you could say that. What I know is that I'm not in this alone," I declared, even though I wasn't completely certain whether Logan would support me until the end.

Amelia nodded, but I could tell she wasn't entirely convinced. So I continued, "Thank you for your concern, Amelia. But my situation is complicated. I know you're worried about the family. I will find a solution as soon as possible."

"What solution? Let me ask you, why can't you stay with him?" she added, sensing my confusion. If only she knew. If only.

"Like I said, it's complicated. Don't worry, I won't put Logan in trouble. He has already helped me."

"I see. Logan doesn't usually do favors for people. I'm surprised you had that privilege. Maybe ibecause you're his friend sister. Anyway, reach out to me when you need anything regarding your health and that of the baby. I would be glad to help," she said, patting me on the back before walking away, leaving me standing there, trying to absorb the conversation we had.

As I left for work, I couldn't shake off the conversation I had with Amelia. She was the only one who knew about the pregnancy. Although she didn't know who was responsible, she had a point. It wasn't like Logan wasn't supporting me. It felt more like I was forcing him to.

There wasn't much work to do at the clinic, so I took the chance to call Jamie and ask her to meet me. "Hello, ladies," she cheerfully greeted as she entered.

"Welcome, Jamie," Lisa greeted her.

"I've told you countless times to call me Jamie. I'm not an old woman," she scolded, throwing a glare at Lisa.

"I'm sorry, Jamie," Lisa's eyes danced with apology. I grabbed my phone from my desk and stood up. "Take care of the clinic, Lisa," I said. Jamie and I made our way out to grab lunch.

"What do you want to eat?" Jamie asked as we stepped outside.

"I don't know. Something light. I don't want to eat something heavy," I explained.

"How about shrimp and crabs?" Jamie suggested, recalling the incident I had told her about. Ever since then, she wouldn't stop teasing me about it.

"You're crazy," I chuckled.

We decided to go to a nearby restaurant that was neither too expensive nor too cheap, just within our budget. The delightful aroma filled my nostrils, reminding me of how hungry I was. In the end, I ended up ordering two plates of baked macaroni and a plate of croissants. And yes, I did finish them all.

"I'm sending this to Logan," Jamie exclaimed as she took a picture of me with a mouthful of macaroni.

"Don't you dare! Unless you want me to kill you," I threatened, attempting to snatch her phone away.

"If you want to go to jail with a baby bump, then be my guest," she replied, undeterred.

"You're out of your mind."

"I'll take that as the hormones of a pregnant woman," she chuckled.

I closed my eyes and opened them again, focusing on Jamie. "Jamie."

"Olivia."

We stared at each other, the tension palpable. I was the first to break eye contact. "Fine, do whatever you like, but I won't allow him to tease me."

She gave me a questioning look. "He does that?"

"Yeah, more than you do," I replied, and her laughter filled the room.

"Oh my god, I love that," she exclaimed.

"Then go marry him," I blurted out.

"Why would I marry him when he already has you as his wife?" Her outburst made my heart skip a beat.

"It's just for the sake of the baby Jamie. We're not a real couple."

"But the marriage is legal, so there's hope," she said, and I took a sharp breath, leaning forward. This was my chance to talk to Jamie about my worries.

"Jamie, do you think I'm doing the right thing by forcing Logan to take responsibility?" I asked nervously.

"Why do you say that? He's the father of the baby, isn't he?"

"I know, but I can't shake this nagging feeling of guilt, like I'm pressuring him. I hate feeling this way. That's why I've been thinking," I hesitated.

"Thinking about what?" she asked, leaning closer.

I bit my bottom lip. "Maybe I should go back to my house. We've already signed the prenup agreement and had the marriage. That should be enough evidence."

Jamie fell silent, studying me intently. The nagging feeling inside me grew stronger. "Please say something," I urged, growing impatient.

She took a deep breath, then finally spoke. "Let me ask you something first, Olivia." I nodded, urging her to continue.

"Did you intentionally conceive the baby inside you?"

"No."

"Did you intentionally approach Logan, knowing he comes from a wealthy family with rules and traditions?"

"No."

"Do you want to give up on something that you didn't create alone?"

"No."

"Then you shouldn't back out. This is your life, and you don't know where it will lead you. Who knows, maybe something genuine might develop between the two of you." As she spoke, memories of the previous night with Logan flashed through my mind. I couldn't deny the intense emotions I felt when he touched my body, the way my body responded to his touch as if it was meant to be touched by him. And the vulnerability I experienced when he looked into my eyes.

"I think I have feelings for Logan," I confessed. I wasn't sure if I could label it as love, but I knew there was a strong attraction pulling me towards him. Jamie's eyes widened at my confession, clearly not expecting it.

"How-" she began, but I interrupted her before she could finish.

"I don't know, Jamie. But there's this undeniable connection I feel whenever we're together. Maybe I can make this relationship work"