BEN POV

The hospital was colder than I remembered. The air smelled like antiseptic and quiet dread. Three months pregnant, and already everything felt heavier—my body, my mind, my heart. The checkup had gone fine, the baby was growing well, but the doctor had looked at Nolan like he was the father. He didn't correct him. I didn't either.

When we got home, Nolan parked the car in silence. He gave me a nod and a half-smile before heading to the office. It was always like that with ...