When I arrived in Velaridge City, Jim was already waiting for me.

I asked him to take me to the mansion first so I could see Grandma.

When I arrived, I found Aunt Rose and Grace there as well.

They told me Uncle had gone back to handle an urgent matter but would return later, only coming back with them after Alexander’s parents’ anniversary.

Grandma was especially happy to see me.

She seemed even happier knowing I had gone to New York with Alexander, assuming everything between us had already been resolved.

But I said nothing.

I stayed for a while before returning home with Jim after dinner.

The moment I entered, Maria greeted me.

"Mrs. Blackwood, you’re back."

Her gaze instinctively moved behind me.

"Something came up in New York," I said calmly. "Alexander had to stay behind and handle it."

"I see," she replied with a nod.

"You don’t need to worry about dinner. I already ate at the mansion."

"Alright, ma’am."

I had already reached the staircase when I suddenly stopped.

"Maria."

She turned immediately.

"Yes, do you need anything?"

I hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I have to go for my prenatal checkup tomorrow... can you come with me?"

Her expression softened instantly.

"Of course, ma’am. I’ll come with you."

I smiled faintly.

"Thank you, Maria."

"It’s no trouble at all, ma’am."

With that, I went upstairs, freshened up, and collapsed into bed.

Exhaustion took over quickly.

Still... the room felt emptier than before.

And far too quiet.

The next morning, I woke with the strange feeling that something was missing beside me on the bed.I smiled faintly at myself, thinking how quickly I had grown used to Alexander’s presence after only a few days in New York—when I had once believed I was already accustomed to his absence.

I pushed the thought away and got ready.

After breakfast, Maria and I drove to the hospital.

I was already fourteen weeks pregnant.

The ultrasound showed that the baby had begun to take shape.

The doctor pointed gently at the screen for both Maria and me to see.

"This is the baby’s hand... here is the foot... and this is the head."

She smiled.

"The eyes and nose are still difficult to distinguish at this stage, but everything looks healthy. The baby is developing well."

My fingers touched the image lightly.

For the first time, the child no longer felt like a secret.

It felt real.

And that frightened me more than anything else.

Maria looked genuinely delighted.

When the examination was over and I was about to leave, the doctor offered a few final reminders.

"During pregnancy, be careful with intimacy, as excessive strain can affect the fetus."

Heat rushed to my face.

I gave a quiet, embarrassed nod.

On the drive home, Maria urged me more than once to tell Alexander about the pregnancy.

But I remained silent, choosing not to say anything.

<<<<>>>>>

The next day, I returned to the office.

I had just begun working when I heard hurried footsteps outside, followed by a knock on the door.

"Come in."

My assistant pushed the door open, looking flustered.

"Director Alicia, there are two police officers outside. They said it’s about—"

Before she could finish, two uniformed officers entered and presented their identification.

The man on the left spoke first.

"Are you Miss Alicia Sinclair?"

Startled, I set aside the documents in my hand and stood.

"Yes, that’s me. May I ask what this is regarding?"

"Your company has reported a leak of confidential business information. You are currently suspected of possible involvement. We need you to come with us to the station for further questioning."

My chest tightened.

Within moments, several people had already gathered outside my office door.

The secretary who filed the report stood nearby, along with a deputy director and a few employees openly stretching their necks to look inside.

The whispers had already begun.

"May I ask what information was leaked, where it was leaked to, and why I’m being suspected?" I asked, forcing myself to remain calm.

The secretary stepped forward with an apologetic smile.

"Director Alicia, here’s the situation."

He opened a folder.

"The newly launched waterfront redevelopment project in Cresthaven’s East District under Echelon Industries is almost identical to the blueprint prepared by our urban investment group."

He paused before continuing.

"Director Jason Smith suspects an internal leak and reported it immediately. After reviewing surveillance footage, it was found that on September 27th at 11:50 a.m., CEO Blackwood left the office. At 12:20 p.m., you entered his office and remained there until 1:30 p.m."

My fingers curled instinctively.

Jason Smith.

Sophia’s brother.

I lifted my gaze.

"You should know that CEO Blackwood is my brother, and he has always looked after me. I wasn’t feeling well that day, so before leaving, he messaged me and told me I could rest in his office lounge during lunch."

I immediately pulled up the message history and showed it to the officers.

The officer glanced at the screen briefly.

"That may explain your presence, Miss Alicia, but it does not clear suspicion entirely. Please come with us to the station."

Jason stepped forward then, his expression composed.

"Director Alicia, no conclusions have been made yet. You are not the only person being investigated."

He offered a measured smile.

"Don’t worry. If you’re innocent, the police will clear your name. If not, the company will proceed accordingly."

His words were polite.

But the satisfaction in his eyes was impossible to miss.

I steadied myself.

"Alright. I’ll cooperate."

I shut down my computer, picked up my bag, and walked out with the officers.

They positioned themselves on either side of me as we moved down the corridor.

Employees pretended to work as we passed, but every pair of eyes followed me.

Behind us, one of the officers was still speaking with Jason.

"Don’t worry. We’ll investigate this thoroughly."

And somehow, hearing that only made my unease deepen.

At the police station, my phone was confiscated, and I was led into an interrogation room.

An officer sat across from me and began reviewing the surveillance footage from that day.

"Miss Alicia," he said carefully, "why did you go to the CEO’s office? Were you aware that Mr. Alexander was no longer in the company at the time?"

"I knew," I answered calmly. "I went there to use his lounge. He gave me permission."

My phone lay on the table nearby.

The officer scrolled through the chat history from that day. After reading for a moment, he looked up.

"What is your relationship with him?"

"He’s my husband."

The officer visibly paused.

For a second, he said nothing.

Then he stood, picked up the phone, and stepped outside.

I was left alone in the room.

Although I could prove that I had entered Alexander’s office with his consent, there had still been a period when I was alone inside.

That much was undeniable.

Until the real person behind the leak was found, clearing my name would not be easy.

Still, there was no direct evidence linking me to the crime.

By law, they would have to release me within twenty-four hours.

But twenty-four hours was far longer than it sounded.

The room was bare.

A table.

Two chairs.

A clock.

Nothing else.

I leaned back in my seat, resting one elbow against the armrest, my temple supported by my hand.

Time passed slowly.

At some point, I stood to stretch, then sat down again.

The room was so quiet it became oppressive.

Later in the day, someone brought me a simple meal and a bottle of water.

I had no appetite.

But for the baby’s sake, I forced myself to eat a little.

Afterward, I rested my head on the table, feeling drowsy.

Sleep would not come properly in a place like that.

I drifted in and out of a shallow half-sleep.

When I opened my eyes and glanced at the clock, it was already evening.

Time truly crawled.

The lights in the room remained on without pause, and the cameras watched constantly.

I eventually curled into the chair, hugging my knees to my chest, my chin resting on them as I stared blankly ahead.

Quietly waiting.

As the hours dragged into the early morning, exhaustion finally overcame me.

My head drooped against my knees as I dozed.

At some point, I thought I heard the door creak open.

Groggy, I lifted my head, rubbed my eyes, and murmured,

"Can I leave now?"

"Yes."

It was a man’s voice.

I looked toward the door—

And froze....