It was exactly 7 p.m., and after work, Elise waited at H Corporation for Braden to pick her up, with Evelyn by her side.
"Tomorrow makes eight weeks." Elise jotted down her thoughts about the pregnancy in her diary, examining the ultrasound image closely.
Thinking about the little life growing inside her, she marveled at how miraculous life was. Even though she couldn't eat much of what she used to enjoy and often lacked an appetite, she was grateful to have Braden, who always cherished her. No matter how tired he was, he would still hug her, kiss her, and soothe her.
Even when she just wanted a glass of water, he'd immediately pour it for her, handing her the mug himself, unwilling to let her do even the smallest things.
"But are you still planning to keep the pregnancy a secret? I mean, after that incident with Killian spilling the drink, who's to say something similar won't happen again? Didn't you tell me she accidentally broke Baden's phone before?" Evelyn asked, glancing up from her magazine, her gaze fixed on Elise.
"I thought I'd wait until things are more stable to announce it. Besides, I'm worried Zayne might stop letting me do anything if he finds out." Elise gripped her pen tightly, glancing up from her diary at Evelyn, thinking of her colleague, Jaelyn Oliver, who was on maternity leave.
When Zayne first found out about Mylee's pregnancy, he reduced her workload, making things so easy that gossip started swirling around the office. Although those colleagues have since left, who's to say there aren't others who still talk behind closed doors?
But Elise wasn't one to live idly; she felt her current workload was just right, except for having to deal with Tyree now and then.
Maybe it was her married status, but Tyree had stopped his inappropriate gestures toward her. He even seemed like a different person, speaking with more respect.
Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the calm before the storm.
"You're pregnant now. Take care of yourself, don't overwork," Evelyn glanced at her with a serious tone. "It's not just you anymore; you have a baby, a husband. You need to be mindful."
Elise couldn't help but laugh. "Evelyn, I'm starting to think you'd make a great big sister—or maybe even a mom. You've just echoed everything my mom has already told me."
Evelyn tapped her forehead lightly with her finger, her gaze sincere. "I care about you."
"Got it. I'll remember that," Elise said playfully, tapping her own head with a finger, a smile tugging at the corners of her eyes.
Ten minutes later, Elise slung her bag over her shoulder and left the H Corporation office with Evelyn.
The empty, gleaming corridor echoed with their laughter as they chatted, neither noticing the small puddle on the floor. Elise stepped right into it, her faux-fur-lined boots slipping on the smooth surface. She nearly fell, but Evelyn's quick reflexes saved her, steadying her just in time.
"That gave me a scare. Thank goodness you were here—I didn't expect there to be water here…" Elise pressed a hand to her chest, her heart still racing from the near-fall.
"Do the cleaning staff work this late?" Evelyn eyed the puddle on the floor, a puzzled look on her face.
It didn't make sense. The cleaning staff didn't stay this late, and they were usually thorough. An oversight like this was just unlikely.
"Maybe someone spilled water and couldn't find a mop?" Elise suggested, heading toward the supply closet to get a mop.
"Wait for me! Don't go by yourself!" Evelyn hurriedly followed behind her.
After mopping up the water and making sure the floor was dry, Elise felt much better. Finally, with Evelyn by her side, she took the elevator down to the lobby, ready to leave the H Corporation office building.
Seeing the familiar car pull up, Evelyn relaxed, bidding Elise goodbye at the entrance.
The cobalt blue car gleamed under the moon's light, but what truly made Elise's smile glow was the man in a navy-striped shirt and black slacks standing beside it.
As soon as Braden spotted her, he took a few long strides toward her and reached for her hand. "Hungry? What do you want for dinner?"
"I don't really have a preference. Whatever you feel like, we'll go with that," Elise said with a playful smile, wrapping her arms around his lean waist.
"Hmm? What's up? Did something happen?" Baden's sixth sense for her was sharp as ever. He leaned down, lifting her chin to meet her gaze, his expression intent.
"Thank goodness Evelyn was with me. Otherwise, I almost slipped just now. It looked like someone spilled water in the hallway outside the office and didn't clean it up properly, and… I accidentally stepped in it." Elise explained truthfully, remembering her promise not to hide anything from him.
"Are you really okay?" Baden's worry was written all over his face as he gently patted her head, a hint of panic in his eyes. "Or is there anywhere you're feeling uncomfortable?"
"No, that's why I said it was lucky Evelyn was there—she caught me, so I didn't fall…" Elise confessed her fear quietly. "But I was really scared. I kept thinking, what if I couldn't hold on to our baby? I'd feel so guilty…"
"Silly girl, as much as I'm excited about our baby, you're my number one. Your safety matters more to me. Remember that—I love you, and I'd never be angry with you. Besides, almost slipping wasn't your fault; the blame lies with whoever left that mess. Don't take it on yourself, or it'll hurt me…" Baden's voice was as soft as water, every word soaked in care and affection.
"You're so good to me. If you weren't here with me one day, I'd be heartbroken…" Elise's eyes reddened as she listened, though she knew she should've paid more attention to the floor—it's not like you could walk without looking, right?
"I only have you. Since being with you, you're my reason to keep going, the strength that helps me face all those frustrating things. Just knowing you're here with me makes the challenges at work seem a lot easier to handle." Braden comforted her without a hint of impatience. "I know being pregnant is tough, but I love you, and I'll never leave you."
Elise nodded, feeling warm from his repeated reassurances. But what did he mean by "challenges"?
"Is it... Tyreen or Mylee?"
Elise pondered for a moment. "Is Tyree still giving you a hard time?"
"Same as always. He's a complicated person. He used to be a game writer for a rival company of H Technology, but after a lot of stuff happened, he left that company. Honestly, I never expected him to come to H Technology." Braden offered a brief explanation about Tyree.
Elise looked surprised. "Is he still giving you trouble?"
"No, but you absolutely can't meet with him alone for work, understand? He's had plenty of bad rumors around him, especially since he's already hugged you once. For safety, make sure someone else is with you—don't be alone with him." He pulled her closer, trying to suppress his own lingering unease.
"Are you jealous?" That was her only concern.
He looked a bit embarrassed. "Of course I was jealous that day, but I was more worried about your safety. He's a man, he's definitely stronger than a woman."
She laughed, clearly amused, unable to resist teasing him. "So, you do get jealous after all."
"Yeah, just don't be alone with him." He was definitely admitting to being jealous.
Elise thought about it for a moment. "But it's strange—he doesn't seem to try anything inappropriate with me anymore. I'm not sure if it's because I'm married, but he barely says anything strange to me now. It's like he's a different person."
"Come to think of it, Mylee seems different too," Braden quickly added. "But don't worry—I hardly spend any time around her at work, and there are always other people present."
"I'm not overthinking it—I just feel a little uneasy, like something might happen." Elise gave a sweet smile, feeling reassured that he truly understood her worries.
"But your hands are freezing. Let's go get something to eat first. We'll talk more when we get home." Braden took her hand and led her to the passenger seat, opening the car door for her.
Elise slid into the passenger seat, a soft smile on her face as she looked over at him.
Maybe, just maybe, she didn't need to think about anything else right now. Just enjoy the love he was giving her in this moment.
