Page 118 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

E.

I swipe to answer, dragging the comforter tighter around me like armor.

"Hey."

"Hey, Sophie," E says, voice brisk but kind. "Just wanted to say the offer’s still on the table. Once this merger wraps up, there’s a senior partner seat with your name on it."

My throat tightens. I swallow hard.

"Thanks. That means a lot."

"It should. You’ve handled this mess better than anyone could. Honestly? You’re one of the best we’ve ever had. No one juggles fire like you."

I smile weakly, wishing I felt like the badass she’s describing

We chat for a few minutes, touching on the merger, the endless board meetings, and how "babysitting Alessio" was supposed to be the easy part of the deal.

"You holding up okay?" E asks, tone dipping softer.

"Yeah," I lie. "Just tired. A lot going on."

"Anything to do with Alessio?" she presses lightly, too lightly.

I hesitate, my fingers twisting in the hem of the blanket.

"Maybe," I say carefully. "He’s... complicated."

"Most men are," E says with a short laugh. "Especially the ones worth fighting for."

I blink at the words, thrown off.

It’s strange how much she’s prying. How invested she sounds.

But I brush it off. E is shrewd, motherly in her own way. Maybe she’s just trying to look out for me.

After a few more polite goodbyes, I end the call and set the phone on the nightstand.

And sit there, feeling like I’ve split clean down the middle.

The woman who finally clawed her way back to the career she nearly lost.

And the woman who might have fallen in love with a man who doesn’t know how to stay.

By the time I make it into the office for midmorning, the weight pressing down on me hasn’t lifted. If anything, it’s heavier.

My father is unusually quiet, his usual snark muted to polite nods and tired smiles.

Denver shoots me concerned glances from across the conference table, but I brush them off with tight smiles and vague shrugs.

I’m doing well at work. The merger is almost sealed. Investors are happy.

On paper, I’m winning.

Inside, I’m shattering.

I’ve been doing everything, proving myself, running crisis communications, surviving public scandals. Fighting for my future like it’s a war no one else even sees.

And now a baby.

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