Ariel’s disbelief
Ariel hands trembled with fear, what if she truly was pregnant. But deep within her she knew it didn’t belong to her boyfriend Chris but who else? Her mind raced calmly Mustering all the courage she could before entering into the doctors office.
“Congratulations, young lady—you’re three weeks pregnant,” the doctor announced gently, her smile warm and supportive as she handed over the test result.
Ariel blinked. Although she had taken a home test two days ago, and the result was clear, something about hearing it from her doctor—her friend—made it feel more real. More serious. She placed a hand on her lower abdomen, as if expecting to feel something shift. “I’m… pregnant?” she asked quietly, still staring at the sheet in her hand.
“Yes, you are,” the doctor replied, her voice kind and steady. “It’s early, but everything looks good. You’re going to be a mother.”
Ariel’s lips curved into a small smile. A mixture of joy and nervousness flooded her. She was scared not because of the baby but how her boyfriend and family would take the news. The thought of bringing life into the world filled her chest with warmth… but then her thoughts shifted. Chris. Would he accept the baby?
Her fiancé was still abroad, expected back the next day. Their wedding was just a few weeks away, and everything had been moving so fast lately. She hadn’t even told him yet. How would he take the news?
On the drive home, Ariel sat quietly in the back of the cab, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her blouse. She imagined how he might react—would he be thrilled? Overwhelmed? Would it change how he felt about their future? Would he deny the baby.
She knew the percussion that would come if he denied the child. Deep within her Ariel presence aged for the best.
By the time she arrived at his house, the sun was beginning to dip low in the sky, casting golden shadows across the front porch. With Chris sister’s help, she had spent hours decorating the living room. Silver and gold balloons floated near the ceiling, the soft glow of fairy lights wrapping around the railings. A “Welcome Home” banner hung over the entryway. It was supposed to be perfect.
Everything was ready.
Ariel crouched behind the couch with Chris sister, both of them giggling quietly as they waited. The lights had been turned off. No one had told Chris about the surprise. The plan was simple: he would walk in, and they would both jump out to welcome him. Ariel even had a small bouquet in her hand, excited to celebrate both his return and, eventually, share the news of their baby.
They waited for awhile for him to come in yet he was delaying, it made Ariel more tensed but she hd to calm her nerves down. After a few more minutes of waiting a noise was heard.
The front door creaked open.
Ariel held her breath, her heart fluttering like a bird in a cage. She squeezed Mia’s hand, both of them preparing to pop out and yell “Surprise!”
But something felt… off.
Instead of the sound of footsteps coming further inside or calling out, they heard soft moans. Heavy breathing. A feminine giggle.
Mia’s brow furrowed. “What the hell?”
Ariel peeked over the couch. At first, the dim lighting made it hard to see. But then—her heart stopped.
There he was.
Chris. Ariel’s baby’s Father.
Locked in a kiss with a woman. His hands wandering. The woman’s back arched in response to his touch. Her hands circled his neck with smiles spread on their faces.
Ariel’s lips parted, but no sound came out. She blinked, hoping she had imagined it, but her worst fear stared her in the face. She blinked again and again hoping praying it was just not true.
But the truth stared right in her face.
It wasn’t just any woman.
It was her best friend.
Mia shot up first, fury blazing in her eyes. Lilian!”
The scene broke apart instantly.
Chris stumbled back, clearly not expecting an audience. His eyes found Ariel, wide with panic.
“Ariel,” he said breathlessly, “you’re here? It’s not—it’s not what it looks like—” Was all he could say. His hands trembled he rubbed his temple but the truth was already out.
“I’ll leave you two to talk,” her friend mumbled, brushing past Ariel without meeting her eyes. Her voice cracked with shame as she left the room, her heels clicking down the hallway with no apology.
Ariel stood frozen.
Then the shock gave way to pain. And that pain turned into fire. As she stared at him she couldn’t help but wonder how long it had been going on?.
Tears welled up as she marched forward and threw the bouquet of fresh flowers straight at him. It hit his chest, scattering petals everywhere.
She didn’t wait for an explanation.
Didn’t ask for one.
She turned on her heel and bolted from the room.
Her heels echoed against the floor as she raced through the hallway, her heart pounding. She wanted someone to stop her. She wanted him to chase after her. But no one came. No apologies. No explanations. Not even a desperate “please don’t go.”
She reached the front door and yanked it open, stepping into the cold evening air. Her breath came in ragged gasps. Her chest felt like it might split in two.
But then, instinctively, her hand moved to her belly.
The baby.
Her baby.
She stopped walking, closed her eyes, and tried to breathe.
This wasn’t just about her anymore.
She turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder with a flicker of hope… maybe—just maybe—he’d come running after her, regret written across his face. Maybe this was all just some horrible mistake he’d beg her to forgive.
But no one came.
The doorway behind her stayed dark and empty.
Reality hit her like a truck.
She was alone.
So very alone.
“Ariel, get it together,” she whispered to herself, blinking away the tears that wouldn’t stop falling.
“Watch where you’re going!” a bus driver snapped, slamming on his brakes as she nearly stepped into the road without looking.
“I’m sorry,” she muttered, quickly stepping back onto the sidewalk.
The driver’s angry face faded from her vision. Her mind was still spinning, caught between the betrayal and the fact that she was carrying a life that had nothing to do with this chaos.
She had an appointment to keep.
She forced herself to walk faster, her purse bouncing against her hip as she rushed down the street. She had overslept, thanks to crying herself to sleep the night before, and was running late.
After scanning the street twice, her eyes finally settled on a building across the road. How she hadn’t noticed it earlier, she didn’t know. She carefully crossed and slipped inside, heading straight for a small table near the back.
The café was warm and quiet. She sat and ordered a drink, her eyes flicking nervously between the entrance and her wristwatch. Her hands wouldn’t stop trembling.
She needed this to work.
She couldn’t show up to Christmas dinner without a man—not after everything her relatives had said the last time. Their judgmental stares. Their whispers behind her back. Their questions about why Chris wasn’t with her.
She checked her phone. He was supposed to be wearing a red polo and black jeans. But no one matching that description had walked in.
Disappointed, she sighed and stood up, digging into her purse for some cash. She placed the money on the table and turned to leave.
“Excuse me, are you Miss Ariel?”
The voice was deep, rich, and calm. It stopped her mid-step.
She turned.
A tall man stood behind her, effortlessly stylish in his red polo shirt and fitted black jeans. One hand was tucked into his pocket, the other holding his phone loosely. His expression was calm, but his eyes carried curiosity.
Ariel blinked, caught off guard by how handsome he was. Masculine. Confident. His cologne was subtle but intoxicating.
“Excuse me?” she repeated dumbly, lost in thought.
He chuckled gently. “Are you Ariel?”
She nodded quickly, snapping back into the moment. “Yes. I—I’m Ariel. Sorry. I thought you weren’t coming.”
“I’m sorry for the delay,” he said politely. “Traffic was awful. Looks like I made you wait.”
He noticed the money on the table. “You already paid for your drink?”
“I assumed you weren’t coming,” she admitted, still flustered.
“Well, if you don’t mind,” he said with a small smile, “I’d still like a few minutes of your time.”
She hesitated.
Then slowly, she sat back down.
He joined her, sitting across from her with the kind of ease that suggested he was no stranger to awkward first meetings.
“It’s really nice to meet you,” he said, breaking the silence. “I have to say, your picture didn’t do you justice.”
Ariel looked away, the corner of her lips tugging into a shy smile. “Thanks. You look… exactly like your picture.”
He chuckled. “That’s either a compliment or an insult.”
“No, it’s definitely a compliment.”
For a moment, the tension melted.
Then Ariel cleared her throat. She didn’t want to waste time.
“So, Mr. Damian ,” she began, straightening her shoulders, “when can you come with me to meet my family? There’s a dinner planned, and I need someone there. How much do you charge?”
Damian blinked.
He hadn’t expected her to get straight to the point like that. His friend had begged him to show up for this meeting as a favor, claiming the woman just needed a plus-one. But Damian hadn’t realized how serious she was—or how desperate.
He watched her carefully.
And then something unexpected happened.
He thought about his father.
The constant pressure to get married. The threats. The conditions attached to his inheritance. Damian had been putting it off for months, but his father was relentless.
And now here she was.
A woman needing someone to stand in. A woman who had no idea about his world, but clearly wanted nothing from him except a name beside hers for one evening.
Damian leaned back, intrigued.
“Ariel,” he said slowly, “instead of pretending… why don’t we just get married?”
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
For a second, he regretted it.
Was he being impulsive?
Ariel stared at him, her eyes wide, searching his face for any sign of sarcasm or madness.
Silence hung between them.
Damian waited.
And wondered what she’d say next.
