Chapter 1: The Secret
“Daddy, she told me not to tell you.””
The words cut through the laughter like a knife.
Darius froze beside the long dining table, one hand still wrapped around a champagne glass. Across the room, six-year-old Nia stood in her pastel party dress, one small finger pointed directly at Simone’s pregnant belly.
Every conversation died.
The mansion was bright with celebration—white flowers spilling from crystal vases, gold plates beneath warm pendant lights, sunlight pouring through enormous windows. Family members stood shoulder to shoulder around the table.
And suddenly, nobody moved.
Simone’s smile disappeared.
Her fingers tightened around the curve of her belly.
Darius slowly set down his glass.
“Nia,” he said, keeping his voice gentle, “tell me what?””
Nia looked at Simone.
Simone shook her head almost imperceptibly.
“She’s confused,” Simone said quickly.
Then she stepped forward.
“Nia, sweetheart, come here.””
She reached for the little girl.
Darius moved between them.
Not aggressively.
Just enough.
Simone’s hand stopped in midair.
“Darius,” she whispered.
He didn’t look at her.
“Nia,” he said, crouching until they were eye to eye, “what did she tell you?””
Nia hugged her party bag against her chest.
“She said the baby is a secret.””
Someone near the table sucked in a breath.
Darius’s eyes lifted.
Simone looked toward the windows.
“That's not what she meant,” Simone said.
Darius stood.
“What did she mean?””
“Nothing.””
“Simone.””
She swallowed.
A family member quietly placed a champagne glass on the table.
Nia looked from one adult to another, confused by the sudden silence.
“She told me Daddy wasn't supposed to know yet.””
Darius stared at his wife.
“Not supposed to know what?””
Simone rubbed her palm against the side of her dress.
“I was going to explain.””
“When?””
“Darius—”
“When?””
Her lips parted.
No answer came.
Darius took one slow step closer.
“You've been acting strange for weeks.””
Simone’s eyes flashed.
“I’m pregnant. I’m tired. I’m allowed to act strange.””
“That's not what I mean.””
“Then what do you mean?””
“I mean you keep leaving rooms when your phone rings.””
Simone went still.
Darius noticed.
“So I’m not imagining that.””
“Stop.””
“Who keeps calling you?””
“No one.””
Nia suddenly tugged at Simone’s dress.
“Mama?””
Simone looked down.
Nia whispered, “Do I get in trouble?””
Simone’s face changed.
“No, baby.””
Nia nodded.
Then she reached inside her little party bag.
Darius watched her small hand disappear beneath the tissue paper.
“What's in there?”” he asked.
Nia pulled something out.
A black smartphone.
Not a toy.
Not Simone’s usual phone.
A second phone.
The room seemed to shrink around them.
Simone’s face went pale.
“Nia,” she said sharply, “give me that.””
The girl held it out.
“She made me hide this.””
Darius looked at Simone.
Simone lunged.
Darius caught the phone first.
“Darius, give it to me.””
“Why?””
“Because it isn't yours.””
He looked down at the unfamiliar screen.
“Then whose is it?””
Simone stepped closer.
“Please.””
That single word changed everything.
Darius stared at her.
“You just said it wasn't mine.””
“I said please.””
The phone vibrated.
Once.
Twice.
A notification appeared.
Darius looked down.
His expression emptied.
The screen read:
*DNA RESULTS READY. DO NOT BRING DARIUS.*
His eyes slowly lifted to Simone.
“Why can’t I come?””
Simone said nothing.
Another notification began appearing beneath the first.
*ABOUT THE BABY’S FATHER—*
Simone reached for the phone.
“Darius, don't.””
May you like
He pulled it back.
And his thumb hovered over the screen.
