A Sharp Reality

The next day, while Hunter was buried in reviewing some documents, his phone buzzed on his desk, jolting him out of his work. He glanced at the screen and saw a text from Ava:

‘I’m heading to the hospital now to confirm the pregnancy. The appointment is at 2 PM. I expect you to be there.’

Hunter stared at the message for a moment, his emotions a tangled mess. He didn’t want to believe Ava’s claims, but he knew he had to face this head-on. If she really was pregnant—and if the child was somehow his—then he needed to know for certain.

He typed a quick reply:

‘I’ll be there.’

The next few hours passed in a blur. He tried to focus on his work, but his thoughts kept drifting to the appointment. By the time 1:30 PM rolled around, he couldn’t ignore the gnawing anxiety any longer. He grabbed his coat and told Amelia he was stepping out for a while. Her concerned eyes followed him as he left, but she didn’t ask any questions, sensing the gravity of whatever was weighing on him.

W