Page 32 of The Hotel Room

“Sure, sweetheart.”

She reached for the carton in the fridge, the cold blast of air soothing as she poured.

The nausea hadn’t fully passed. It was still there, a low, churning discomfort under her ribs.

But she pushed it down.

Just like she’d been doing with everything else lately.

The symptoms had been stacking up, even if she refused to name them.

The fatigue that felt like it was sinking into her bones. The restless, uncomfortable tension in her body at night. The nausea that lingered most mornings, getting harder to ignore.

And yet—

No.

It couldn’t be.

Shecouldn’tbe pregnant.

Notnow.

“Mom?”

Kate blinked, snapping back as Lily squinted up at her, head tilted.

“You look kinda funny. Are you okay?”

A tight smile. She forced it.

“I’m fine, baby. Just a little tired.”

But deep down, a quiet voice was whispering something else.

You know what this is.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

James

The bar was quieter than usual, the low hum of conversation fading into the background noise as James stared into his untouched glass of whiskey.

Nick had picked the place—some trendy speakeasy-style bar with dim lighting and shelves of expensive liquor that felt too polished, too curated for the kind of night James was having.

Hell, he didn’t even want to be here. Nick had insisted.

All he could feel was the ache pressing into his chest, heavier with each passing day. Kate was back in the house, but it wasn’tfixed.It wasn’t even close. She moved through the house like a ghost, speaking only when necessary, keeping her distance—like she was waiting for an excuse to walk out again.

And Noah? He’d barely looked him in the eye all week.

James ran a hand down his face, exhaustion settling deep in his bones.

“I don’t know what else to do, man.” His voice was hoarse, words sticking like gravel in his throat. “She’s there. Shecame back. But it’s like she’s…gone. She won’t talk to me. She won’t let me in. She’s still punishing me.”

Nick sat back in his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, watching James carefully. Not with the usual sarcasm or teasing. Tonight, he looked…serious.

“You deserve it.”

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