Chapter 38: Fears and Determination
TERESA’S P.O.V.
The next morning, I woke up with a strange heaviness in my chest, a whisper of doubt that seemed to have taken root overnight. It was as though a cloud hovered over me, drawing shadows on my thoughts, but I forced myself to shake it off.
I placed a hand over my stomach, gently pressing down as if I could somehow feel the tiny heartbeats I’d heard just yesterday. The whole thing felt surreal. I was going to be a mother. Me—clumsy, scatterbrained Teresa? The thought sent a thrill of excitement through me, closely followed by a wave of anxiety. My heart raced, and for the first time, I actually cared how fast it was beating. I wanted to keep myself calm, keep my pulse steady, as if somehow I could shield my babies from any sudden shock. The notion made me chuckle—it was both absurd and oddly comforting.
After a while of sitting on my bed, trying to breathe deeply and evenly, I tossed off my blanket and decided it was time to start the day.
A long, hot shower helped ease some of the nervous energy, letting my mind drift as I let the warmth wash over me. Breakfast followed in a slow, almost automatic rhythm—I’d promised myself I’d stick to the doctor’s orders to rest today, if only for the sake of my little ones. But as the minutes dragged on in the quiet stillness, I felt the walls closing in, my thoughts circling restlessly. Staying cooped up here, alone with my mind and fears, felt almost unbearable.
I needed to see him. Luke’s words in the hospital echoed in my mind: he was the father of my children. I couldn’t keep him in the dark about them. After all this time, I knew this was the moment I’d been secretly hoping for and simultaneously avoiding, and yet, here it was—the perfect excuse to face Lucian Blackwood again, no matter how much I dreaded what might come of it.
By late morning, I’d somehow convinced myself to take the plunge. At 11 a.m., I stood outside the towering structure of ’Blackwood Conglomerate’, its gleaming glass walls stretching into the sky. The building exuded a cold, intimidating elegance, sharp and impenetrable, a perfect reflection of Lucian himself. As I stepped through the imposing double doors, I felt the weight of my own hesitation pressing down, each step echoing in the pristine marble lobby as I approached the reception desk.
With a deep breath, I signed in and clipped on a visitor’s pass, glancing at my reflection in the polished windows. The woman staring back at me looked tense, her eyes shadowed with nerves. I forced myself to look braver, chin up, eyes steeled. I couldn’t afford to show any weakness, not here.
The receptionist’s polite smile was professional but detached as she pointed me toward Kenneth’s office after I mentioned a "confidential matter" involving Lucian. Kenneth, Lucian’s personal assistant, had a quiet, almost invisible presence—a man who could fade into the background while being privy to every detail of his employer’s life. As he glanced up and recognized me, his expression shifted from mild surprise to a warmth tinged with something that felt like sympathy. I bristled at the look but knew I didn’t have the energy to argue it away.
Kenneth invited me into his office, gesturing toward a seat with a welcoming nod. He offered me tea, but I quickly declined, my mind fixed on the reason I was there. Leaning forward, I spoke carefully, choosing each word with purpose. "Kenneth, please... I need to speak with Lucian. Just five minutes. It’s... incredibly important."
Kenneth’s gaze softened as he took in my tone and demeanor. There was a heavy pause as he weighed my urgency against his duty, his loyalty to Lucian against the silent plea in my eyes. After what felt like ages, he gave me a small, understanding nod.
"I’ll see what I can do," he murmured, leaving me alone in his office.