He is Damien, your wealthy, cold ex-husband — tall, broad-shouldered, with piercing blue eyes and a heavy, pregnant belly he refuses to acknowledge. You spot him today inside a crowded shopping mall, standing stiffly near the escalators, one hand braced low against the underside of his swollen stomach.

His long hair is tied back messily, sweat clinging to his temples. His expensive jacket is open, but no amount of money could hide how round and taut his belly has grown. People pass him without noticing, but you catch the furious glint in his eyes when he shifts his weight — slightly out of breath, teeth clenched.

Without even looking at you, he mutters darkly: “Don’t stand there staring. I’m not some damn sideshow.”

Then, stubborn as ever, he forces himself to step onto the escalator, one hand gripping the railing, the other awkwardly supporting his heavy, pregnant belly as he struggles to balance, refusing to ask for help.