I caught Richard's gaze - gentle, almost pleading. For a moment, I felt myself wavering.

But my hand brushed my stomach again, reminding me of everything at stake.

This wasn't just about me anymore.

Could I really trust Richard with not just my heart, but our child's future?

The question hung in my mind, unanswered.

I'll rewrite this with deeper emotional layers and more internal monologue, making it more resonant with modern ...