“So… he doesn’t want you to have the baby?”

Stephanie stirs her tea, one perfectly shaped brow arched in confusion.

I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “No. You aren’t even listening to me? Are you? He does want me to have the baby. He just doesn’t want us to get married. He thinks his family is insane.”

Stephanie takes a slow sip, considering. “He might be on to something. What if they are insane?”

I roll my eyes. “That’s not the point.”

“Isn’t it, though?” She sets her cup down with a soft clink. “He knows what his family is capable of. Maybe he’s trying to protect you.”

I shake my head. “I don’t care about his family. This is about building a life for our baby. Together.”

Stephanie exhales, nodding. “Yeah. You’re right. That’s what it should be about.” She pauses. “Unless… maybe he just has someone else. Like, a person he’s actually planning to marry in the long run.”

I freeze. I hadn’t thought of that. But the second she says it, I feel a knot in my chest.

Stephanie notices. “Oh my God.” She leans in, studying my face. “Are you in love with this man?”

I laugh, too quickly, too loudly. “In love? I wouldn’t say in love.”

She gives me a long, knowing look. “Yeah, sure.”

I glare, “I doubt he’s even capable of feeling emotions,” but she just smirks, and goes back sipping her tea.

We finish our drinks in comfortable silence, letting the hum of the café settle around us. The place is airy and pink, all soft lighting and delicate floral touches, like a little palace for tea or coffee lovers.

As we get up, I stretch. “Vinnie’s been acting weird lately,” I mention offhandedly. “Like… out of it.”

Stephanie snorts. “Yeah, because he’s having withdrawal symptoms.”

I pause. “Withdrawal?”

She nods, “He quit smoking. Which is great, but now he’s a complete mess.”

“I had no idea.” I shake my head.

“Trust me, he’ll live.” She nudges me. “I’m getting him some pastries to keep his hands busy. I’ll be right out.”

I step outside, letting the cool evening air wash over me.

Then I notice it, a car.

It’s parked across the lot, its engine off. But someone is inside. And they’re staring at me.

I can’t see their face, not clearly, but I can feel their gaze, locked onto me with unsettling intensity.

My breath catches as the engine hums to life, the car rolls forward, slow at first, then faster, straight toward me.

I can’t move. I tell myself to step aside, to run, but my body refuses to listen.

It’s coming too fast.

I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing for impact—

The car screeches to a halt, merely inches away.

The rush of air from the sudden stop brushes against my skin. My knees buckle. And then, everything goes black.

The next time I open my eyes, I’m in a hospital bed.

White walls. A dull beeping sound. Bright lights overhead.

Then, voices.

“Oh my God, she’s awake!”

Stephanie and Vinnie rush to my side, relief all over their faces.

Vinnie is the first to grab my hand. “You scared the hell out of us.”

Stephanie nods. “I found you passed out in the parking lot. What happened?”

I swallow, my throat dry. “The baby.” My voice is barely a whisper. “Is my baby okay?”

Vinnie squeezes my hand. “Yes. The doctor said everything’s fine. You and the baby are both okay.”

Tears well up in my eyes, but I blink them away. “I thought—” I shake my head.

Stephanie brushes my hair back. “Just tell us what happened.”

I take a shaky breath and explain. The car. The way it sped toward me. The way I couldn’t move.

Vinnie’s jaw clenches. “Are you saying someone tried to run you over?”

I nod, and silence stretches between us.

Stephanie exhales. “That’s terrifying.”

Before I can respond, the door swings open.

Demetri.

He looks disheveled,his hair is messy, but somehow, he manages to look strikingly hot.

His eyes land on me, and I swear I see his whole body relax in relief.

“My God, Kamari.” He crosses the room in two strides, kneeling beside the bed. His hands cup my face, his thumbs tracing my cheekbones as he studies me like he can’t believe I’m really here. “You’re okay.”

His touch is warm, grounding. I can’t move, can’t breathe.

“Are you hurt anywhere?” His fingers skim my arms, my hands, checking for injuries.

“I’m fine,” I murmur.

Vinnie and Stephanie exchange looks. “We should give you two a minute.”

They slip out, leaving us alone.

Demetri exhales, running a hand through his hair. “I heard you passed out in the parking lot.”

I nod. “Yeah. But the baby’s fine.”

His shoulders drop slightly, relief flickering across his face. Then, suddenly, his expression hardens. “You should move in with me.”

I blink. “Excuse you?”

“I need to keep an eye on you.”

I let out a sharp laugh. “So, let me get this straight, you don’t want to marry me, but you want me to move in with you?”

His jaw clenches. “It’s not that simple.”

“Then explain it to me!” I snap. “Because from where I’m sitting, you’re sending mixed signals.”

His face is unreadable, but his hands curl into fists. “There are things you wouldn’t understand.”

I scoff. “Try me.”

Silence.

I shake my head. “You know what? I don’t care anymore. If you actually gave a damn about this baby, you’d focus on building a real family with me instead of whatever this is.”

His expression tightens, but I don’t wait for a response. I throw the blanket off and swing my legs over the side of the bed.

“Kamari—”

“I’m done.” I grab my phone and head for the door.

Before I even make it past the door, I make the call.

The line rings twice before Mr. Reginald picks up.

“I’m ready,” I say. “I’ll sign the papers.”