Twenty days had passed since the night Olivia had unknowingly given herself to a stranger. Since then, Peter had not spoken a single word to her. Her messages went unanswered. Her calls went straight to voicemail. The silence became an unbearable weight.

It was her mother-in-law who mentioned the day he would arrive.

That information echoed in Olivia's mind as she wrapped up her workday at the company. Her heart thudded with anticipation, hope tangled with fear. She needed to see him. She needed answers.

But there was something even more urgent stirring inside her.

Over the past few days, her body had begun to send unfamiliar signals. Her period was late. She also had sudden waves of nausea, and an overwhelming, bone-deep exhaustion.

As soon as she left work, she parked in front of a pharmacy and bought a pregnancy test.

Inside the car, one hand rested on the steering wheel while the other drifted to her still-flat belly.

"Is there already a little baby in here?" she murmured, her voice tight as a nervous smile appeared. "This wasn't in my plans right now… but if it's positive, I'll be so incredibly happy. Because you'll be the child of the great love of my life."

The drive home felt endless, every traffic light testing her patience.

When she walked in, she found her father, Fabian, sitting in the living room armchair, scrolling through his phone. His face lit up the moment he saw her.

"How was your day, my Pearl?" he asked, using his usual affectionate nickname.

She leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"It was really good, Dad. Everything's under control."

His eyes shone with pride.

"I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. You're the most precious jewel in my life. I just wish your brother would follow your example… Victor is an excellent engineer, but he has absolutely no sense."

Olivia smiled, trying to hide the tension twisting inside her.

"Dad, careful with your heart. Don't worry. Victor's growing up, you'll see."

"I hope so, my girl. I really do," he sighed.

She went up to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. She set her purse on the armchair and walked into the closet. The mirror reflected her anxious face, her hands instinctively resting on her belly.

"Please be positive," she whispered to her reflection.

She returned to the bedroom, pulled the test from her purse, and sat on the bed for a few seconds, breathing deeply. Then she went into the bathroom.

Minutes later, she stepped out, her heart racing. She paced back and forth, checking the time. Five minutes felt like an eternity.

When the wait was finally over, she went back into the bathroom. Her gaze fixed, breath shallow. She picked up the test with trembling hands.

It was two lines.

The air rushed out of her lungs in a broken sob.

"Positive," she whispered, a smile breaking through the tears spilling freely. "Oh my God, I'm pregnant."

She sat down on the toilet, staring at the test. The emotion was overwhelming. She imagined a tiny baby, light eyes just like hers and Peter's face. Hope bloomed, sweet and naïve.

"I'll tell him tomorrow. Peter will be happy… he'll be the most amazing father in the world," she said softly, letting herself dream.

The next morning, she went in for a transvaginal ultrasound.

"Ma'am, how would you like to pay?" the receptionist asked.

"Card," Olivia replied, opening her purse and pulling out her wallet with a discreet smile. "I'll use Peter's card for our baby's first expense. He always said that the day I got pregnant, it would be his responsibility to take care of everything," she added quietly, her voice filled with tender affection.

The obstetrician welcomed her with warmth.

"Shall we begin, Olivia?" the doctor asked gently, gesturing toward the exam bed.

She lay down, her heart beating wildly out of rhythm. On the screen, small, blurry images appeared as the doctor adjusted the device.

"Do you see it?" the obstetrician asked softly. "That's your baby."

Olivia couldn't hold back her tears.

"It's so emotional, knowing I'm growing a life inside me. Is everything okay with him?" Her voice trembled.

"Yes, everything is completely normal." The doctor smiled. "You'll need to start prenatal care now, but don't worry. He's growing very well."

Olivia cried again, this time silently. Then she placed her hands over her belly and whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"You're a beautiful gift God gave us. And you'll have the most wonderful parents in the world. I love you, my love."

That night, Olivia got dressed carefully. She chose an elegant dress to match the importance of the moment. She placed the pregnancy test and exam results in her purse. Proof of the future she carried inside her.

She drove to Peter's apartment. Her heart raced the moment she arrived.

She took the elevator up, barely breathing. When she rang the doorbell, her legs nearly gave out.

Peter opened the door. His face was tense, his eyes cold.

"Olivia," he said flatly.

She forced a smile, trying to hold back her emotions.

"Love… I missed you so much. We need to talk," she said, stepping closer to kiss him.

He subtly stepped back without a word. She went inside, her eyes drifting over the spotless apartment, just as it always was.

"Is everything okay, love?" Olivia asked, worried.

"I'm tired, Olivia. If you can be quick…" Peter replied coldly as he headed for the couch.

They sat down. Olivia took a deep breath, opened her purse, and pulled out the pregnancy test first. She placed it on the table between them, her heart pounding so loudly it felt audible.

"Peter… I'm pregnant," she said, her voice shaky but full of hope. "We're going to have a baby."

For a moment, silence filled the room. She searched his face for any reaction. Surprise. Joy. Anything.

But what came instead was an explosion.

"Pregnant?" Peter shot to his feet, his voice thick with rage. "Don't you dare tell me that kid is mine!"

Olivia blinked, stunned.

"What do you mean? Of course it's yours," she said, tears filling her eyes. "This isn't time for jokes, love."

He grabbed the test off the table and hurled it at her face.

"Don't play me for a fool, you slut! You slept with another man and now you want me to raise his kid?"

The words hit her like knives. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Love… why are you being so cruel?" Olivia asked, shaking.

Peter lunged forward and grabbed her arms roughly.

"Another man screwed you. That bastard isn't mine!"

"Another man?" she repeated, not understanding. "What are you talking about, Peter? I… I've only been with you. I never cheated on you."

"Liar!" he shouted, his eyes cruel as he threw her onto the couch. "You won't fool me with that innocent act. You betrayed me, Olivia!"

Sobbing, Olivia rushed to him and wrapped her arms around him as she begged.

"Love, stop this! I saved myself for you. I gave myself to you… and now you want to run from your responsibilities?"

Peter grabbed her face, pretending to be furious at her confession. But his real anger burned over the promotion he had lost. So he spat out his version of the story.

"Responsibilities? I left you in that hotel suite to get you a surprise. Then my mom called saying she was sick, and I went to see her. I never touched you. Stop lying!"

Olivia's legs went weak. Her chest tightened. Her mind spun, trying to put the pieces together. Memories of that special night were blurred, drowned in wine and strange warmth. The last thing she remembered was Peter murmuring that she was "tight"…

A cold shiver ran down her spine.

"No… it can't be…" she whispered, barely audible.

Tears streamed down her face. But they were not only from sadness. They were from fear. Something about that night didn't make sense. And now Peter's cruelty was tearing her open.

"Peter… you're not ready to be a father, is that it?" she asked desperately, trying to understand.

He grabbed her arms and dragged her toward the door.

"Enough!" he snarled. "While I was out there getting played, you were spreading your legs for any man. Get out of my life!"

He threw her outside and slammed the door shut.

Olivia collapsed to her knees in the hallway. Her body shook and her eyes were wide with shock. Tears fell without her even noticing.

'Whose child am I carrying?

'Who was the man that night?'

The questions echoed inside her like screams, tearing through the suffocating silence of the corridor.