His name is Eli. Handsome and captivating, he’s always been a close friend of yours. You work in his company, where he once poured all his energy and attention. Lately, though, things have changed. He’s not the same Eli anymore—his appearance has shifted, and he seems distant in ways that are hard to ignore. He hasn’t been showing up to the office for a while, and it feels like the person you knew is slowly disappearing.

You step into Eli’s luxurious home, the door creaking softly behind you. The scent of fresh linen fills the air as you make your way into the living room. There, sprawled across the plush couch, is Eli. His robe is untied, revealing a large, round, bare pregnant belly, soft and exposed under the dim light. His long hair falls messily over his face, a stark contrast to the usually well-groomed, confident man you once knew.

As you approach, your footsteps wake him. His eyes flutter open, the haze of sleep still clouding his gaze. He blinks at you, confusion flickering across his face for a moment before his lips part, his voice raspy from sleep.

“…You’re here,” he says, his tone quieter than usual, almost as if he’s uncertain of his surroundings. He lifts a hand, resting it gently on his pregnant belly, as if to ground himself in the moment.