Arielle stood in front of Leonard's office door, her hands clenched into fists.
She had rehearsed the words over and over in her mind.
"Leonard, I'm pregnant."
"We didn't plan it, but it happened."
"I thought you deserved to know."
She knew there was no perfect way to say it.
But still, she hoped.
"Maybe if I say it calmly, he won't get angry."
"Maybe if I explain, he'll understand."
"Maybe… just maybe… he'll care."
She took a shaky breath and knocked.
"Come in," Leonard's voice called—distant, distracted.
She stepped inside.
He stood near the window, tapping something on his phone.
He looked up for a second, then returned to his screen.
"If this is about the event tomorrow, just tell the driver what time—"
"Leonard."
He paused.
Turned.
Looked at her.
Her heart raced.
"I… I'm pregnant."
The room fell silent.
Leonard didn't move.
Didn't speak.
For a second, she thought he might laugh it off or call her crazy.
But instead, his face changed.
His eyes went cold.
"What did you say?"
"I'm pregnant," she repeated, quietly. "With your child."
He stared at her like she was a stranger.
"No. You can't be."
"I didn't plan this," she rushed out. "It just happened. I was scared. I didn't even know for weeks—"
"You should've kept it to yourself," he said coldly.
Her breath caught.
"What?"
"We had an agreement. No children. That was the rule."
"But this isn't a rule anymore. It's a life. It's our baby."
Leonard walked to his desk and poured himself a drink, his jaw tight.
"Are you even sure it's mine?"
The words hit like a slap.
"What?"
"You live here. You have your freedom. How do I know—"
"Stop!" she cried. "I've never been with anyone else. How could you even think that?"
He took a slow sip, avoiding her eyes.
"Because I didn't think you'd be this careless."
She stood frozen in place.
"I trusted you," she said, voice cracking. "I thought… I thought maybe this could be something real."
He scoffed.
"Don't lie to yourself, Arielle. You were part of a deal. That's all."
"But you kissed me," she whispered. "You held me like I mattered."
"It was a mistake."
Her knees felt weak.
"Leonard… what are you saying?"
He finally looked at her.
"I don't want it."
She stared at him, barely breathing.
"You don't want…?"
"You. The baby. Any of it."
Her heart shattered.
---
End of Chapter 9