The late-night hum of the city never really stopped. But inside the sleek lobby of Yeo Construction, it felt oddly quiet—sterile, even—compared to the chaos I was used to in the field. The kind of quiet that makes you hyperaware of every sound, every shadow.

I was just about to leave for the night when the receptionist’s voice came through the intercom: “Mr. Yeo? Someone’s here to see you.”

I frowned. It was rare for anyone to just show up unannounced—especially someone who didn’t have an appointment. “Send them in,” I said, masking the irritation in my voice.

The elevator dinged, and moments later the doors opened.

She stepped out—soft, familiar.

Kaori.

I blinked, startled. The same girl from that night, months ago, the one night we barely spoke before parting ways in the blur of neon lights and music.

But now—now she wasn’t the carefree stranger from the club. Her hand rested lightly on her stomach. The curve was undeniable.

Pregnant.

My breath caught.

The words I’d rehearsed on the drive here vanished like smoke.

“Kaori…” I managed, voice low, unsure how to bridge the months of silence.

She gave a small, nervous smile—one that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“I’m sorry to just show up like this,” she said quietly. “But I needed to tell you in person. I’m… I’m pregnant.”

For a moment, the room felt like it was spinning, the weight of what she said sinking deep into my chest.

I motioned toward my office, and she followed silently, the click of her heels against the floor the only sound between us.

Once inside, I closed the door behind us and finally allowed myself to take her in fully—her nervousness, the gentle strength in the way she stood, the way her hand never left her belly.

“How long have you known?” I asked, voice steadier than I felt.

“About four months.”

Four months.

I swallowed hard.

We had no plans, no promises that night—just a fleeting connection neither of us expected to last.

Yet here she was, standing in my office, changing everything.

“We need to talk about what this means,” I said finally. “For you. For me. For this… whatever this is now.”

Kaori nodded.

“I don’t want to keep this from you.”

Neither do I.