Pregnancy In Chaos
I took a deep breath, my resolve strengthening. "Jo, set up a meeting. Get me anyone from the Department of Health who'll listen, and someone from the research board. This project isn't just some personal passion—it's essential. We can't let them bury it without a fight."
Jo nodded immediately, already typing on her phone. "I'll get you the top officials. The minister's secretary still owes me a favor—I’ll cash it in."
Rowan was already moving toward me, determination etched into his features. "I'll help. I have connections in the government—I'll pull some strings and make sure they listen."
I shook my head gently, giving him a faint smile. "I appreciate it, but I can handle this. It's my work, my fight."
Rowan frowned, crossing his arms stubbornly. "Remi, you don't have to do this alone. This isn't about pride—it's about winning. Let me help."
I hesitated, meeting his steady gaze. My instinct was to push back, to prove my strength. But as he held my eyes, quiet determination softened by genuine concern, I realized this wasn't a battle of wills. He simply wanted to stand beside me.
"Okay," I finally said, exhaling slowly. "But don’t steamroll them, Rowan. We need them to respect the research, not fear your influence."
He smiled slightly, relaxing. "Understood."
Just then, the door opened again, breaking the tension. Callum walked in, his footsteps measured as always. I noticed Jo stiffen at his entrance. She shifted slightly, her eyes avoiding his completely. Callum seemed equally tense, offering no acknowledgment, not even a nod. He simply approached Rowan and murmured something quietly, expression neutral but eyes hard.
It was strange—this sudden discomfort between them. Jo was normally bubbly, always ready with a quick joke or teasing comment. Callum, though reserved, was usually respectful enough to acknowledge everyone. But now, the room felt suddenly colder.
It made me frown.
"Everything alright?" I asked softly, looking between them.
Jo cleared her throat awkwardly, slipping her phone back into her pocket. "Yeah, of course."
Callum said nothing at all, keeping his gaze fixed on Rowan.
I glanced at Rowan, who also seemed to notice, though he kept silent. After a brief exchange with Callum, he nodded and turned back to me. "I'll make those calls now. We’ll get that meeting."
"Thanks," I murmured, distracted. My attention shifted back to Jo, who was already edging toward the door. Her shoulders were tight, her usually easygoing demeanor stiff and closed-off.
"I’ll, uh, go get started," Jo muttered quickly. "The sooner we arrange it, the better."
I waited until she slipped out, then quietly followed her. Something was off, and I needed to know what.
I found Jo in the small conservatory attached to the east wing of the house. It was Rowan’s favorite private corner—a room lined with tall glass walls and lush plants, warm sunlight streaming in even in late afternoon. But right now, Jo stood rigidly near the large fern at the far corner, staring blankly out into the gardens beyond, arms folded protectively around herself.
"Jo?" I approached softly, not wanting to startle her.
She turned sharply, eyes wide and uncertain before she quickly masked it. "Oh. Hey, Remi."
"What's wrong?" I asked gently, taking a step closer. "You've seemed off ever since Callum walked in."
Her expression flickered briefly, uncertainty passing across her face before she quickly buried it. "It's nothing. I'm just tired. It’s been a long day."
"Jo," I said softly, reaching for her hand, "you know you can talk to me, right? You’ve been my anchor all this time—I can handle being yours too."
She glanced away, eyes fixed stubbornly on the patterned tiles beneath our feet. A shaky breath escaped her. "I'm okay, really."
I paused, letting the silence rest gently between us. Finally, I sighed softly and leaned back against one of the large windows. "Can I at least tell you something that's been bothering me, then? I need someone to talk to."
Jo immediately softened, turning fully to face me, her expression shifting into genuine concern. "Of course. What's going on?"
I swallowed, carefully pulling out the photograph from my pocket, its worn edges making my hands tremble slightly. I held it out toward her. "This picture. It's me, as a child—but I've never seen it before. I have no memory of this place, this moment. It was sent anonymously to Asher. He thought it was some kind of warning."
Jo stared at the image silently for a long moment, her brows knitting together thoughtfully. Her reaction unsettled me more—quiet, careful, too controlled. Normally, Jo would be full of questions, speculation, immediate reassurance. But now, she just stood there, carefully neutral.
"It unsettles me," I admitted softly. "I feel like someone else knows my life better than I do. Like something's been hidden from me all these years. And now it's starting to unravel."
Jo nodded slowly, handing the picture back carefully. "It's strange."
"Strange?" I echoed, raising a brow. "That's all?"
She avoided my gaze again. "I don't know what else to say. But I understand why you're worried."
Frustration gnawed at me. "Jo, what's going on? You're acting so distant. If something's wrong—if Callum upset you—"
"No," she interrupted quickly, a bit too sharply. She closed her eyes briefly, as if gathering her thoughts, her voice softening when she spoke again. "It’s nothing like that. Callum didn't do anything wrong."
"Then what is it?" I asked again, gently but firmly. "I can see something's bothering you. You're usually the first one to dive into mystery-solving with me. Right now, you just seem like you're holding back."
Jo stared at me, eyes shimmering suddenly with unshed tears. She swallowed visibly, arms tightening across her stomach. "It's not about you, Remi. Really. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be bringing my own mess into your already complicated life."
"Hey," I whispered softly, moving closer and resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're my best friend. Whatever it is, you can tell me."
She hesitated, her lower lip trembling slightly as she struggled with the words. "Remi, I... I didn’t mean for this to happen. It’s so stupid, and I don't even know how it happened—I mean, obviously I know how it happened—but I just wasn't expecting—"
"Jo," I interrupted gently, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. "You're rambling. Just breathe and tell me slowly."
She took a deep breath, her eyes fixed firmly on the floor as if gathering courage. Her voice was barely a whisper when she finally spoke. "I’m pregnant."
The room suddenly felt too still. Sunlight poured through the windows, warm against my skin, but all I could feel was shock and concern radiating from Jo.
"Pregnant?" I echoed softly, blinking in surprise. It wasn't the answer I'd been expecting, but it suddenly made sense—her exhaustion, her unusual quietness, the strange tension around Callum.
Jo nodded slowly, tears finally spilling over her lashes, tracing silent trails down her cheeks. "I haven't told anyone. I wasn't planning on it, not yet. But seeing Callum today just reminded me that I can't keep this hidden forever. And now, with everything else that's going on—with your project, with Lucious, with Asher—I just didn't want to burden you."
My heart twisted painfully at her words. "Jo, you could never be a burden to me. I'm glad you told me."
She sniffed softly, wiping her eyes quickly. "It's just... complicated."
"Is it Callum's?" I asked gently, already knowing the answer.
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