Emily walked through the school halls with as much composure as she could muster, but the exhaustion was weighing heavily on her. The fatigue from the pregnancy was catching up to her, making every step feel like a mile. Her plan to stay under the radar was proving more challenging than she anticipated.

In class, Emily struggled to stay awake. Her head drooped over her desk, and she found herself slipping into sleep despite her best efforts to stay alert. Her eyes fluttered open only when a gentle touch on her shoulder roused her. She looked up to see Cole leaning over her, a concerned look on his face.

"Emma, why are you so tired all the time?" Cole asked, his voice soft yet filled with genuine worry. "Do you stay up all night or something?"

Emily forced a weak smile, trying to brush off his concern. "Just... a lot on my mind, I guess."

Cole wasn’t convinced. During the next class, he noticed Emily’s head bobbing as she fought to stay awake. Without hesitation, he gently placed her head on his shoulder, his arm wrapping around her in a protective gesture. Emily tried to protest, but her exhaustion overpowered her, and she allowed herself to rest.

As the class continued, Cole stayed close, occasionally glancing at Emily’s peaceful face resting on his shoulder. He jotted down notes for her, his movements careful not to disturb her.

By the end of the day, Emily felt a mixture of gratitude and anxiety. Her interactions with Cole were becoming more intimate, and she was torn between appreciating his kindness and maintaining her undercover status.

In the hallway, Cole noticed her struggle to walk. "Here," he said, offering his back. "Hop on. I’ll carry you to your next class."

Emily hesitated but then relented, climbing onto his back with a sigh of relief. She rested her head against his shoulder as he carried her, trying to ignore the sinking feeling of discomfort mixed with a strange sense of security.

"Emma," Cole said, his voice low and soothing as they walked, "you really need to take better care of yourself. If you’re having trouble at school, maybe you should see a doctor or something."

Emily stiffened slightly, but she kept her tone light. "I’ll be fine, Cole. Just a bit tired, that’s all."

As they approached her next class, Cole gently set her down. He looked at her with a mix of concern and curiosity. "Just promise me you’ll take it easy. I don’t like seeing you like this."

Emily managed a tired smile. "Thanks, Cole. I’ll try."

After school, Emily headed home, her thoughts a whirlwind of anxiety and fatigue. As she collapsed onto her bed, she couldn’t shake the worry about keeping her pregnancy hidden while managing her undercover mission. With Jake’s help and the plan to date Cole, she knew she needed to stay focused and vigilant.

That evening, Emily and Jake discussed the day’s events. Jake’s concern was evident as he asked, “How are you holding up? Cole seemed unusually attentive today.”

Emily sighed. “He’s been really supportive, which makes this even more complicated. I need to stay on top of things, but it’s becoming harder to manage everything.”

Jake nodded, his face set with determination. “We’ll get through this. Just remember, your safety and the mission come first. Keep up the act, and we’ll catch Cole soon.”

Emily agreed, knowing that despite the mounting challenges, she had to keep pushing forward. The balance between her undercover work, managing her pregnancy, and navigating her complicated relationship with Cole was delicate, but she was determined to see it through.