February disappeared beneath Clare's federal policy deadline.

Then one Tuesday morning, Nathaniel received a text.

Can you come over?

He arrived twenty-five minutes later.

Clare opened the door wearing sweatpants and an expression he couldn't read.

“What happened?”

“Sit down.”

“I'd rather stand.”

“Nathaniel.”

He sat.

Clare remained standing.

“I took three tests.”

He stared at her.

“Tests?”

She handed him one.

Nathaniel looked down.

Then back at her.

“Are you—”

“Yes.”

The room became silent.

Clare folded her arms.

“Say something.”

Nathaniel stood.

“Are you okay?”

“That’s your first question?”

“Yes.”

Her expression softened slightly.

“I think so.”

“And the baby?”

“Too early to know much.”

Nathaniel stepped closer.

“Clare.”

“Don't promise me anything because you're shocked.”

“I’m not.”

“You look shocked.”

“I am shocked.”

“Exactly.”

“But I'm also sure.”

“About what?”

“You.”

Her eyes searched his.

“And this baby.”

Clare swallowed.

Nathaniel took her hand.

“I want both.”

The first real smile appeared on her face.

“Okay.”

Then his phone rang.

Douglas.

Nathaniel declined it.

Again.

Declined.

Clare looked at the screen.

“You'll have to tell them.”

“I know.”

“Soon.”

Nathaniel sighed.

“You really enjoy that word.”

“Very much.”

Three days later, Nathaniel told his parents.

Eleanor went pale.

Douglas stared at him across his desk.

“Are you certain the child is yours?”

Nathaniel rose so quickly his chair struck the floor.

“Say that again.”

Douglas didn't.

Nathaniel leaned across the desk.

“You will never speak about Clare that way again.”

Eleanor stepped between them.

“Nathaniel, your father is asking what anyone in our position would ask.”

“No. He's asking what people in your position ask.”

Douglas's expression hardened.

“This could destroy the Bowmont agreement.”

“Then destroy it.”

“You don't understand what you're risking.”

“I understand perfectly.”

But there was another problem.

Victoria found out.

She appeared at Nathaniel's office the next afternoon.

“Pregnant?”

Nathaniel looked up.

“Who told you?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes.”

Victoria shut the door.

“So that's it?”

“There was never an ‘it,’ Victoria.”

“Twenty years, Nathaniel.”

“Of our parents making plans.”

“For us.”

“Without us.”

Victoria's voice sharpened.

“She trapped you.”

Nathaniel stood.

“Leave.”

“You've known her five months.”

“Leave.”

“You'll regret humiliating me.”

Nathaniel walked to the door and opened it.

“Goodbye, Victoria.”

For the first time, she lost her polished expression.

“This isn't over.”

Nathaniel looked at her calmly.

“It is for me.”

---