The silence stretched until Aria thought the walls themselves might crack under the weight of it. Liam sat rigid behind his desk, his expression unreadable, as though her words hadn’t landed at all.

Then he leaned back slowly, his eyes narrowing. “Say that again.”

Her voice trembled, but she forced the words out. “I’m pregnant.”

Something flickered across his face, gone so quickly she almost doubted she saw it. He stood abruptly, pacing to the window. His reflection in the glass looked carved from ice.

“No,” he said flatly. “That’s not possible.”

Her heart clenched. “You think I’d lie about something like this?”

He turned, his jaw tight. “You expect me to believe I’m the father after one night? You barely know me. I barely know you.”

Her fingers curled into fists. “I know enough. And you were the only one. There’s no doubt.”

He shook his head, the denial sharp, final. “You want me to take responsibility for a mistake we both made? No. I won’t. Whatever this is, it’s not mine. It can never be mine.”

The words cut deeper than she’d prepared for. Her chest burned, tears stinging her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “So that’s it? You’ll dismiss me like I’m some schemer trying to trap you?”

His mouth hardened. “What else am I supposed to think? You think I'm a fool?”

“No, you’re supposed to think I’m telling the truth!” Her voice rose, echoing in the empty office. “I didn’t plan this. I didn’t want this. But it’s real. And you’re a part of it whether you want to admit it or not.”

His stare locked on hers, cold, unyielding. “You should take care of it.”

The breath left her lungs. “Take care of it? I don't understand.”

“You know what I mean.” His tone carried no hesitation, no hint of remorse. “This doesn’t need to ruin your life. Or mine.”

Her knees went weak. She gripped the edge of a chair to steady herself. “You arrogant bastard.”

His eyes darkened, but she pressed on, fury and heartbreak fueling her words. “You think you can erase me. Erase this. But you can’t. I don’t care how powerful you are or how many glass towers your name is etched on—this is happening. And I will not pretend it away just to make you comfortable.”

For a moment, silence roared between them, louder than any argument. Liam’s face gave nothing, but his hands curled against his sides, betraying the storm beneath.

“Aria,” he said finally, his voice low, strained, “you don’t understand the consequences. My life isn’t simple. My name isn’t something you can attach yourself to without fallout.”

Her laugh cracked, bitter and sharp. “I’m not asking for your name. I’m asking you to face the truth.”

His lips parted, but no words came. He turned away again, shoulders rigid, staring at the skyline as if it could offer him an escape.

Aria’s voice softened, raw. “I thought maybe… even if you didn’t want me, you’d care enough to care about this child. But I see now—I was wrong.”

Her hand trembled on the door handle. She glanced back once. He stood motionless, framed by the city lights, his back to her.

“If you want to live in denial, fine. But don’t expect me to.”

She stepped out, letting the door close behind her.

By the time she made it to her apartment, her legs were numb from the walk, her throat aching from holding back everything that she wanted to spill out.

Mia was on the couch with takeout containers spread around her. She looked up, her smile fading at once. “What happened? How did it go?”

Aria dropped onto the cushions, burying her face in her hands. “He denied it.”

Mia froze. “What?”

“He said it wasn’t his. That it can’t be his.” Her voice cracked, muffled against her palms. “He told me to… to take care of it.”

Mia’s gasp filled the room. “That bastard.” She shoved the cartons aside, wrapping Aria in her arms. “I swear, if he were here right now, I’d punch him in his perfect jaw.”

Aria shook, half with anger, half with grief. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t stop working there, Mia. I need the job. But every time I see him, I’ll know.”

“Then you walk in with your head high and you don’t let him break you.” Mia’s voice was fierce. “He wants to pretend? Let him. But you don’t. You hold on to your truth. That’s your power.”

Tears finally spilled, streaking down Aria’s cheeks. “I feel so stupid.”

“You’re not stupid.” Mia gripped her shoulders, forcing her to look up. “You’re strong. Stronger than you think. And you’re not alone, okay? You have me. You have us. We’ll figure this out together.”

Aria nodded weakly, though the storm inside her didn’t settle. She leaned into Mia’s embrace, closing her eyes.

For the first time since the test turned positive, she truly felt the weight of what was ahead—an uphill battle against a man determined to erase her, against a world that might side with him.

But as much as fear clawed at her, something else rose, small but steady. Resolve.

If Liam Voss wanted to deny their child, then he’d have to live with that choice.

She wouldn’t.