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His baby, my secret

Janelle_4
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Chapter 1 - Desperate choices and hidden offers

The walls felt like they were closing in.

Avery Carter stared at the doctor, her legs dangling off the cold hospital bed, fingers clenched around the edge of the thin mattress. Her heart pounded like it was trying to escape her chest. Every breath felt too shallow, too fast.

The words echoed again, cutting through her like glass.

"You're eight weeks pregnant."

She blinked. Once. Twice. But the words didn't change.

Lexi, her best friend, gasped beside her. "Preg—wait, pregnant?" She took a step forward, her voice rising with confusion. "There has to be a mistake! Avery hasn't even—she's not even seeing anyone!"

The doctor gave Lexi a sympathetic look. "The test is accurate. She's definitely pregnant. I'll give you both some time."

Click.

The door shut gently, but the weight of the silence it left behind was unbearable.

Lexi turned to her slowly. "Avery…"

Avery couldn't speak. Her throat was tight, her lips trembling. Her hands were already shaking before the doctor spoke. Now they were completely numb.

Lexi moved closer, her eyes searching. "How? Who?" Her voice cracked. "You haven't even kissed anyone in, like, forever. Avery, what's going on?"

Avery dropped her head. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

"You didn't mean—" Lexi stepped back like the words slapped her. "Are you telling me it's true? You're actually pregnant?! With whose child?!"

Avery looked away, shame crashing through her like a wave.

She whispered, "It was just one night."

Lexi stared. "One night with who?!"

Avery didn't answer.

Because Lexi didn't know. No one knew.

And if Avery had her way, no one ever would.

Three Months Earlier...

She sat cross-legged on the floor of her cramped dorm room, surrounded by scattered bills, overdue notices, and unopened emails she couldn't bear to read. The numbers blurred together, but they all told the same story: she was broke.

No rent money. No money for food. No way to ask her parents — not after everything they sacrificed to send her to school.

Her stomach twisted as her phone buzzed.

Mia:You still need cash?

Avery hesitated, chewing her lip.

Avery:Yes. What's the job?

Mia:Come out tonight. Wear something tight. I'll explain later.

The message sat on her screen like a dare.

Avery wasn't the type. She didn't sneak out. She didn't go clubbing. She definitely didn't meet strangers for secret jobs in the middle of the night.

But she also didn't have a choice anymore.

That night, her reflection didn't even look like her. Tight black dress, shaky eyeliner, and curls pulled back in a messy bun. Mia's makeup felt heavy on her skin.

"You look hot," Mia smirked, popping her lip gloss cap. "Just follow my lead. Don't ask too many questions."

Avery clutched her phone. "This… isn't something illegal, right?"

Mia paused, then gave her a look. "No one's forcing you to come, Avery."

That was true.

But her empty bank account had already made the decision for her.

The club was louder than she expected—hot, dark, and suffocating. Music thumped against her chest like a second heartbeat. She followed Mia through the crowd, trying not to trip in borrowed heels. Every man they passed turned to look.

Some whistled. Others whispered.

Her skin prickled. Eyes followed her like spotlights. She wrapped her arms around herself, tugging her dress down.

Why had she come here?

They reached the back room—VIP. Velvet ropes, low lighting, expensive cologne. A man in his thirties sat on the couch, sipping something dark and golden. His gaze landed on her the second she walked in.

"She new?"

Mia laughed. "Brand new."

Avery's stomach dropped.

The man smirked. "Pretty."

He reached for the table, pulled out a small black envelope, and slid it across to Mia.

Avery's heart thundered. Her mouth went dry. The air felt wrong. Everything felt wrong.

She turned to Mia. "I—I can't do this."

"What?"

"I can't." Her voice cracked. "I'm sorry."

Without waiting for a response, Avery turned and bolted.

Outside, the cold night air hit her like a slap. She yanked her heels off, heart racing as she dashed down the sidewalk barefoot.

What the hell was she thinking?

She wasn't built for this. She wasn't bold like Mia. She didn't belong in clubs or private lounges or sleazy hotel rooms with strangers.

She was just a girl trying to survive.

The next morning, she didn't leave her bed. Her makeup was still smeared on her pillow. Her phone buzzed over and over—rent due, overdue library fines, rejection emails, payment warnings.

She opened one. Her stomach turned.

Final Notice: Eviction Imminent.

The second email stung worse.

Your tuition deadline has passed. You've been withdrawn from three courses.

Avery stared at the ceiling until her vision blurred. Her chest ached in places she didn't know could hurt.

The shame of last night still clung to her skin.

But the fear of losing everything was louder.

Three nights later, she stood in front of the mirror again. Same dress. Same shaking hands.

This time, she didn't hesitate.

The same club. The same man. The same envelope, thicker this time.

He didn't ask her name.

She didn't ask for his.

Her hands shook when she reached for the door of the lodge. She told herself this would be it. Just one night. No one would know. No one would ever have to find out.

Just this once.

"This will solve everything," she whispered to herself. "Just one night. That's all."

She stepped inside, and the door clicked shut behind her.