Olivia turned slowly. The moment she saw him, the color drained from her face.
“Mr. Parker…” she whispered. “I didn’t know you were home.”
Ethan folded his arms, studying her.
“Where are you going, Olivia?”
“I have an appointment. Nothing important.”
“Every day you leave earlier,” he said quietly. “And every day you come back exhausted.”
She lowered her eyes.
“I have personal things to deal with.”
“I saw it,” Ethan said.
She looked up, panicked.
“Saw what?”
He gestured toward her stomach.
“The pregnancy.”
Silence fell between them. Olivia’s hands trembled.
“I was going to tell you,” she said, tears forming. “I was afraid of losing my job.”
“Who’s the father?”
She closed her eyes.
“He left. When I told him, he disappeared. Changed his number. Pretended I never existed.”
Ethan felt anger—but not at her.
“And what will you do?”
“I’ll have this baby. I’ll work. I’ll survive.”
“You don’t have to do it alone.”
She stared at him in disbelief.
“You’d help me?”
“I won’t abandon you,” he said simply.
She broke down, sobbing. Without thinking, Ethan placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Everything will be okay. I promise.”