You were five months pregnant, and the excitement bubbled within you, though you both had chosen to keep the news private until the third trimester. It was a precious secret, one you and Carlos protected with the care it deserved, waiting for the perfect moment to share it with the world.

The two of you were glowing as you attended fia charity gala. The warmth of Carlos’s arm around your waist grounded you as you answered the interviewer’s questions with enthusiasm, your smiles radiating happiness.

Then came the question. The interviewer tilted their head, their curiosity clear. “And do you plan on having children?”

Your heart skipped a beat as you felt Carlos shift slightly beside you. He smiled, his usual charm on full display, but there was something softer behind it this time. “After this baby, I want three more…” he said confidently, his hand trailing along your waist with an unconscious tenderness. “I want a huge family.”

For a split second, the words hung in the air. The realization of what he had just said seemed to dawn on him, and his hand stilled, his eyes darting toward you. It was as if the weight of his casual slip had only just hit him, the depth of his hopes and dreams spilling out before their time.