Chapter 8
1848words
In the evening, he would make sure I had dinner before leaving. He never stayed overnight, always saying goodbye at a decent hour, giving me the space I needed.
My belly was becoming harder to hide with each passing day. I'd taken to wearing baggy clothes, hoping Alex wouldn't notice the change.
But I knew this secret couldn't be kept forever.
I returned to work, though only part-time, three days a week. The company was surprisingly accommodating, especially my boss James Parker. He was the creative director who'd joined last year—talented and surprisingly thoughtful.
"Emma, no rush on this proposal. Next week is fine," he'd often say, making sure I didn't push myself too hard.
James knew about my pregnancy and recent divorce. He never pried, just offered support when I needed it. Sometimes he'd bring healthy lunches or offer rides home when I worked late.
"You really don't have to do this, James," I'd told him before.
He just smiled. "Looking after my team is part of the job. Especially talented designers like you."
Friday afternoon, James invited the team to a nearby café to celebrate wrapping up a major project. I tried to bow out, but he wouldn't hear it. "Come on, Emma. You're the heart of this project—we can't celebrate without you."
At the café, James took the seat next to mine, refilling my drink and passing snacks my way. His attentiveness felt nice, making me realize how long it had been since I'd felt so at ease with someone.
"You look beautiful when you smile," he said out of nowhere. "You should do it more often."
I felt my cheeks flush but managed a smile and a thank you.
Just then, I spotted Alex at the café entrance, clearly there to pick me up. His eyes landed on James and me, his expression unreadable.
I waved him over.
"Alex, this is my boss, James Parker," I said, trying to sound casual. "James, this is Alex Reed."
The two men shook hands with forced politeness, the tension between them thick enough to cut.
"Just happened to be passing by," Alex said, voice steady but eyes cold as ice. "Thought you might need a ride home."
"Thanks, but we're not quite done here," I replied.
"Actually, we're pretty much finished," James cut in. "I can give Emma a lift home."
Alex's jaw tightened. "That won't be necessary. Emma is my responsibility."
"Ex-wife," I corrected, mortified by the whole situation.
James glanced between us, then cleared his throat. "I should probably check in with the rest of the team. Emma, ride offer stands if you need it."
After he left, Alex slid into his vacant seat. "Your boss seems awfully concerned about you."
"He's like that with everyone on the team," I explained.
Alex nodded, clearly not buying it. "You look happy."
"We just wrapped a big project," I said, not sure what he was getting at.
"No, I mean with him. You look... relaxed. Happy." There was an edge to his voice. "Been a while since I've seen you smile like that."
I didn't know what to say. Yes, I felt comfortable around James. But it was just work—nothing like the complicated mess Alex was imagining.
"Alex, James is just my boss."
"Right." He stood abruptly. "I shouldn't crash your party. I'll get out of your way."
"Alex..."
"It's fine, Emma." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "I'm glad you're happy. That's all that matters."
After he left, a strange emptiness settled in my chest. Alex's reaction confused me, but my own feelings confused me more. Why did watching him walk away hurt so much?
Later that evening, James did drive me home. In the car, he asked, "So Reed is the ex-husband?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Guy still seems pretty hung up on you."
"We're... it's complicated." I didn't have the energy to explain.
James nodded. "Well, if you need anything, I'm here. Not just as your boss—as a friend too."
"Thanks, James."
When I got home, there were no green tulips waiting at my door. Alex hadn't come by. First time in two weeks.
I told myself this was normal. We were divorced—he had no obligation to check on me daily. But deep down, I knew the café scene had gotten to him.
Saturday came, and I kept expecting Alex to show up as usual. By afternoon, still nothing. I picked up my phone to text him at least three times, but always chickened out. The lines between us were already blurry enough without me making things worse.
That evening, Victoria called.
"Emma, you doing okay?" Concern laced her voice.
"I'm fine. Why?"
"Alex was off today," she explained. "Came for dinner but might as well have been on another planet. Figured it had something to do with you."
"We... had a bit of a moment yesterday," I answered vaguely.
Victoria sighed. "Look, I know it's not my business. But the guy still cares about you. Whatever happened, maybe give him a chance to explain?"
After hanging up, I debated calling Alex. But decided against it. Maybe some space would do us good—let us both figure out what the hell we were doing.
Sunday morning, a knock at the door pulled me from sleep. I opened it to find Alex standing there, clutching a bunch of green tulips.
"Morning," he said with a smile that didn't hide the dark circles under his eyes. "Mind if I come in?"
I stepped aside, taking the flowers. "Thanks."
"Emma, about Friday," he said, cutting straight to it. "I was an ass. You can spend time with whoever you want. I shouldn't have stormed off like that."
"It's fine, Alex."
"No, it's not," he insisted. "I need you to know I respect your choices. If Parker makes you happy, then... I'm happy for you."
I stared at him, surprised. "Alex, James and I are just colleagues."
"Even if you weren't, it's fine," his voice steady but strained. "We're divorced. You deserve to be happy. I just hope I can still be in your life. As a friend, if that's all you want."
His words hit me like a tidal wave of conflicting emotions. I appreciated his maturity, but his willingness to step aside so easily left me feeling... abandoned?
"Of course," I finally managed. "Friends."
Alex nodded, shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thank you."
We ate breakfast in what passed for comfortable silence, making small talk about nothing important.
I could feel the shift—Alex keeping a careful distance, playing the role of "just friends" to perfection.
That afternoon, as Alex was leaving, he paused at the door, studying my face.
"I'm traveling for business next week. If you need anything, call Lisa. She'll take care of it."
"Will do. Safe travels."
He nodded and left. As the door clicked shut, emptiness washed over me.
Alex's new hands-off approach was exactly what I'd asked for.
So why wasn't I happier about it? Why did it leave me feeling so damn unsettled?
Shouldn't I be relieved that he was finally respecting my boundaries?
Back at the office Monday, James was his usual attentive self. But this time, I caught myself comparing—James's thoughtfulness versus Alex's care. So similar on the surface, yet worlds apart underneath.
"You're a million miles away today," James noted over lunch.
"Sorry. Just got some stuff on my mind."
"Want to talk about it?" he asked, leaning forward.
I shook my head. "Thanks, but it's personal."
"Fair enough," he smiled. "Just remember—sometimes talking helps lighten the load."
After work, James wouldn't take no for an answer about driving me home. In the car, he suddenly asked, "Emma, can I ask you something personal?"
"Sure."
"You and your ex... is there still something there?"
The question blindsided me. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious," he said with a shrug. "You two seem to have a lot of unfinished business."
I went quiet, scrambling for an answer. Yes, Alex and I had mountains of unresolved issues. But a future together? I honestly didn't know.
"I don't know, James," I finally admitted. "It's messy as hell."
He nodded, dropping it. When we reached my building, he grabbed my bag for me. "Whatever you decide, Emma, put yourself first. You deserve that much."
"Thanks, James."
Upstairs in my apartment, James's question haunted me. Could Alex and I find our way back? After everything, was a fresh start even possible?
I didn't have the answer. But one thing was crystal clear: whatever I decided had to be right for me and my baby.
——
Meanwhile, Alex sat in Reed Enterprises' conference room, going over details for the upcoming business trip with his team.
"Mr. Reed, any special requirements for tomorrow's flight?" his assistant Lisa asked.
"No, the usual is fine," Alex replied, barely present.
Ever since seeing Emma with her boss at that café, he couldn't stop replaying the scene. She'd looked so damn happy, so at ease, her smile so genuine around Parker. When was the last time she'd smiled at him like that?
After the meeting, he lingered alone, shuffling papers. Sarah from PR popped in to grab a forgotten notebook.
"Oh, Mr. Reed," she said casually, "I heard Ms. Hayes is pregnant. Congrats on the baby!"
Alex's hand froze mid-air, papers scattering. "What?"
Sarah's smile faltered. "Ms. Hayes... your ex-wife... she's pregnant. I thought you knew..."
"Who told you that?" Alex's voice turned to steel.
"I... I saw her at the OB-GYN last week," Sarah stammered. "Was visiting my sister and spotted Ms. Hayes leaving Dr. Wilson's office. I just assumed... God, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—"
Alex waved her off. After Sarah's hasty exit, he stood frozen, mind reeling.
Emma, pregnant? How? They were divorced, and she'd never said a word. Unless... unless she was already pregnant when they split.
Emotions crashed through him like a wrecking ball—shock, joy, rage, confusion. Why hadn't Emma told him? Was she planning to keep this secret forever?
He thought back to Emma's recent changes—the baggy clothes, the frequent breaks, how she'd suddenly stopped eating certain foods. All the signs had been there, staring him in the face.
Alex snatched his phone, finger hovering over Emma's number before stopping himself.
No. This wasn't a damn phone conversation. He needed to see her face when he asked, needed to look in her eyes for the truth.
He stuffed papers into his briefcase, already mentally canceling tomorrow's trip. Some things mattered more than business.
Emma was pregnant. With his child. The thought sent equal parts thrill and fury through his veins. Thrilled at becoming a father, furious at being kept in the dark.
But more importantly, this changed everything.
Whatever was happening between Emma and Parker, whatever she'd decided about their past, Alex wasn't backing down. Not anymore.
Not just for their child, but for everything they once had—and the future they still might build together.
He snatched his car keys, suddenly desperate to see Emma. Right now.
