You stood in the middle of the living room, your hand trembling against your stomach.

Your voice came out raw. “Is she prettier than me?!”

Regulus’s head snapped up. “No!” he shouted, the word too quick and desperate.

A bitter, broken laugh tore out of you. “Liar! You ruined everything!”

“Will you listen to me?” Regulus shot back. “Nothing happened!”

You stepped closer. “Nothing? You kissed her! You were out with another woman all night! And I am pregnant! Is that nothing to you?!”

“Yes! I mean-no!” Regulus stammered, his breath coming quick.

From behind them, the faintest sound broke the silence. James was leaning against the fireplace, his jaw tight and his eyes narrowed. Remus sat forward in his chair, his fingers tightly laced together. Sirius stood by the door with his arms crossed over his chest. Barty and Evan were pressed against the far wall, exchanging wary looks.

Your voice dropped low. “How many times did you kiss her? And don’t you dare lie to me.”

Regulus’s lips parted, but no sound came. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, and then... “Several times…”

The world seemed to tilt. You took a step back, your breath catching painfully. “You make me sick!”

Regulus flinched as though you’d struck him. He lurched forward, reaching for you. “But it didn’t mean anything, baby! She made me realise I want to spend the rest of my life with you! I know that!”

You recoiled instantly. “I am three months pregnant! And you are already out trying to be with other women! How can I trust anything you say again?!”

His voice faltered to a whisper, broken. “You can…”

For a moment, silence swallowed the room.

Then Sirius’s voice cut through. “Merlin, Regulus… what the hell is wrong with you?”

Regulus’s head whipped toward his brother, but Sirius’s glare was enough to freeze him in place.

“You’ve got the best thing that’s ever happened to you standing right there, pregnant with your child, and you’re out snogging some other girl?” His voice cracked. “You don’t deserve her.”

James let out a bitter laugh. “You’re an idiot, mate. Absolute idiot. Do you even hear yourself right now?” His voice dripped with disgust as he looked from you to Regulus. “You’ve got someone carrying your child, and you still manage to throw it away like it’s nothing.”

Regulus turned back to you. “It wasn’t nothing! She was nothing! I swear to you, it meant-”

“Don’t.” Remus’s voice was firm. “Don’t insult her by pretending this was meaningless when you know it wasn’t.”

Barty shifted uncomfortably. “Reg…” he muttered, shaking his head. “You’ve really messed up.”

Evan didn’t say a word, but his expression mirrored his feelings... sharp and cold disgust.

But you couldn't look at any of them. Your eyes were fixed on Regulus, your chest heaving and your heart pounding so loudly that it drowned out everything else.

“I loved you,” you whispered, your voice breaking. “I trusted you. And now-now I don’t even recognise the man standing in front of me.”

Regulus’s eyes glistened and his lips trembled as he reached for you again. “Please... please, don’t say that. Don’t give up on me. On us. On the baby. I’ll do anything. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to you that I’ll never hurt you again...”