I sent a message to our friends’ group chat, saying that I had a big problem and needed help. When they saw my message, they all responded that they were busy and dealing with their issues, too.
**Gilbert**: Let’s meet at my place tonight and talk about our problems.
**Charles**: Deal.
**Leo**: Why are we so crazy about women?
**Charles**: Ask your heart, lol.
**Nathan**: Deal. See you, guys.
**Me**: Deal. My head’s about to explode from overthinking.
After our group chat conversation ended, I returned to the office. When I opened my office door, I found my father sitting inside, waiting for me.
**ARLO**
“Dad, is there a problem? Why do you look like that?” I asked.
“Nothing, son. I’m just tired. Your grandfather Thomas has arrived. He wants to talk to you, and he also wants to talk to Lily and meet his great-grandchildren,” my father said.
I sighed. I didn’t respond; instead, I called my secretary to prepare coffee for me and my father.
For me, there’s no problem with Grandpa Thomas’s arrival. The real problem is Valerie’s pregnancy. I sat down on my swivel chair and leaned back. My father noticed that I was deep in thought. He said something else, but it didn’t register in my mind.
“Son, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been out of it for a while now. Did you and Lily have a fight?” my father asked. I shook my head in response.
“Valerie is pregnant, Dad,” I said in a somber voice.
“What!?” my father exclaimed in shock, suddenly standing up after hearing what I said.
—
**LILY POV**
“Maybe Arlo has a reason for lying. Remember, you’ve done the same to him before. Girl, calm yourself first. Don’t overthink things right now. Don’t act rashly either, or the five years you and Arlo wasted might happen all over again,” my sister Violet reminded me.
“But, sis, we already agreed that there would be no secrets between us. But look at what he’s doing. If he had told me he was meeting Valerie and that they had something important to discuss, I might have understood. Or maybe he still has feelings for her, and he’s having a hard time letting go of that woman because they were together for years,” I said, taking a deep breath.
“Lily, calm down. Don’t assume the worst just yet,” Violet replied.
“But he gets angry whenever I talk to Nick. He’s even possessive over the twins when it comes to Nick !” I said, my voice trembling.
Instead of responding to my anger, my sister shifted the topic and brought up something unrelated to our conversation.
“Lily, that’s jealousy. And right now, you’re experiencing the same thing. Smile—you might be pregnant, too,” Violet teased me. I couldn’t help but laugh at her comment.
“Sis, no way. I feel like my period is about to start,” I replied.
“Alright, I’ll leave now. I just remembered I have a meeting,” Violet said.
“Wait, sis, what were you going to tell me earlier?” I asked.
“I’ve allowed your private investigator to court me. Let’s talk about it next time,” Violet said, blushing.
“I’m so happy for you,” I said with a smile.
“Bye now. Just remember that Arlo loves you. And about what you saw, talk to him calmly,” Sis Violet said. She kissed me on the cheek and left my office.
Three hours passed, and I couldn’t concentrate on my work. I couldn’t get what I saw earlier out of my mind, and Arlo hadn’t called me either. I stood from my chair and opened the window in my office. Just then, there was a knock at the door, so I opened it.
“Good afternoon, ma’am. Here’s your lunch and Sir Arlo’s. said you should take care of delivering his lunch,” the man said to me.
I hesitated to be the one to bring Arlo his lunch. Eventually, I just took it from the man’s hands, thanked him, and bid him goodbye.
I decided that I would deliver Arlo’s lunch myself. I also wanted to have lunch with him, hoping he would tell me the truth—or perhaps I could be the one to bring it up.
I grabbed my bag and left my office. I told myself to stay calm; Sis Violet was right.
After half an hour, I was already in front of Arlo’s building. I noticed that some media members gathered outside as if waiting for someone. I rolled down my car window, and one of the building’s security guards approached me.
“Ma’am, please don’t get out of your car yet. The media might notice you,” the guard said. I nodded and rolled my window back up.
I called Arlo and told him I was outside. I also asked him why there were media people in front of the building.
“Babe, just stay there. Don’t get out of your car until my team clears the media away,” Arlo said, his voice sounding panicked.
