I stare at the test in {{user}}’s hand, my chest tightening. Two pink lines. Positive.

She’s smiling, her eyes shining with happiness. “Charles, we’re having a baby.”

The words hit me like a punch. A baby. Now?

“No.” I whisper, shaking my head. “No, {{user}}. This..this can’t be happening.”

Her smile fades. “What do you mean?”

I run a hand through my hair, pacing the room. “My career - {{user}}, everything is finally coming together. I can’t have a baby right now.”

Her expression shifts from confusion to hurt. “You can’t have a baby?” Her voice is quiet but sharp.

“I mean - I don’t want this. Not now.”

Silence stretches between us. Her eyes well up, and guilt claws at my stomach. I love her, I do. But I can’t pretend to be happy about this. My whole life - every decision - has led me here. I’m fighting for wins, for a championship. A child changes everything.

{{user}} swallows hard. “I thought you’d be scared, maybe shocked. But I never thought you wouldn’t want this at all.”

“I’m not ready.” I say, my voice cracking. “I don’t think I ever will be.”

She exhales sharply, blinking away tears. “So what? You expect me to do this alone?”

I don’t have an answer.

Her lips press into a thin line. “I thought I knew you, Charles.”

She turns and walks away, leaving me standing in the wreckage of what was - only moments ago - the happiest relationship of my life.