A month later

Sarah had been feeling ill for days.

The nausea hit hardest in the mornings, making it difficult to keep anything down. Fatigue weighed heavily on her, even after full nights of sleep. At work she tried to hide it, sipping ginger tea at her desk and blaming the symptoms on long hours and the pressure of probation. But privately she knew something was different. The timing lined up with the passionate nights she had spent with Alex over the past month.

That evening she arrived at Alex’s house looking pale and exhausted. She tried to smile when he opened the door, but the queasiness was still there.

“Hey,” she said softly, stepping inside. “Sorry I look like a mess. I have been feeling off all day.”

Alex pulled her into a gentle hug. “You do not look like a mess. Come sit down. I’ll make you some tea.”

Sarah curled up on the couch beside him later that night, her head on his chest. The nausea had eased slightly, but the fatigue remained. As they talked quietly, a thought crossed her mind. She had been ignoring the possibility for over a week. Maybe it was time to face it.

Later, after they had made love, Sarah lay in his arms, her mind still turning.

The next morning, while Alex was downstairs, Sarah slipped into the bathroom and took the pregnancy test she had bought the day before. She waited the full three minutes with her heart pounding.

Two pink lines appeared.

She was pregnant.

Sarah stared at the test for a long time, a whirlwind of emotions hitting her at once. Fear. Surprise. A small, unexpected warmth at the thought of carrying Alex’s child. She quietly wrapped the test in tissue and tucked it into her purse. She would tell him when she was ready. For now, she needed time to process everything.

Alex’s POV

Alex had spent almost every night with Sarah over the past month. Their relationship had grown more intense. But he had noticed how tired and unwell she seemed lately. She often looked pale in the mornings and would quietly excuse herself to the bathroom. When he asked, she brushed it off as work stress or not sleeping well.

That evening they were at his house again. Sarah had come over after her shift, looking drained but trying to hide it. They had dinner, then spent the night together.

Later that night, Sarah lay with her head on his chest.

“I have been so tired lately,” she admitted quietly. “And the nausea… it comes and goes. I think my body is still recovering from all the stress of the suspension and everything else.”

Alex stroked her back, feeling a strange mix of concern and calculation. “You should take it easy. You have been pushing yourself hard.”

Sarah looked up at him with a small, tired smile. “Being with you helps. You make everything feel a little less heavy.”

The next morning Emily called while Sarah was still in the shower.

“How is our detective doing?” Emily asked.

“She is still vulnerable,” Alex replied quietly. “She trusts me completely now. She told me everything about being a detective and her missing sister. She is back on probation at work but she is still looking for answers.”

Emily sounded pleased. “Perfect. It is time. Bring her to the club this weekend. Tell her you can help her get inside to investigate discreetly. Make it sound like you are on her side. We will test how much she actually knows once she is there.”

Alex glanced toward the bathroom door where he could hear the water running.

“Understood.”

When Sarah came out of the shower wrapped in a towel, she smiled at him and leaned down to kiss him softly.

Later that evening, as they lay together on the couch, Alex decided it was time.

“I have been thinking about what you told me,” he said carefully. “About your sister and the club. I might be able to help you get inside. Discreetly. I know some people there. If you want to look around without raising suspicion, I can get you in.”

Sarah looked at him, surprise and hope flickering in her eyes. “You would really do that for me?”

Alex nodded. “Of course. I want to help you find answers.”

She leaned in and kissed him deeply, her hand resting on his chest.

The plan was in motion.