The world was closing in.
Clair watched the news with a tight chest, her heart pounding as reporters dissected every frame of the cathedral footage like vultures circling fresh prey. Her face was blurred in most broadcasts, but not all. One outlet showed a still of her firing a weapon. Another zoomed in on the dress she wore, matching it with a surveillance photo from earlier that night.
"Sources confirm the mystery woman is romantically involved with Austin Montgomery," the anchor said with a sickening smile. "An insider claims she's pregnant with his child."
Clair nearly dropped her tea. Her eyes flew to Austin, who stood by the window with a glass of whiskey and too many shadows in his eyes.
"I didn't say anything," she whispered.
"I know."
"They're twisting everything."
"They always do."
But the way he said it wasn't angry. It was tired. Resigned. As if he'd lived his entire life expecting the world to turn against him.
Clair stood and crossed the room, placing a hand on his chest. "This is my fault."
Austin's jaw flexed. "You didn't ask for this."
"I still brought it into your world."
His hand covered hers. "You are my world."
Before she could speak, a chime echoed through the room. Daniel's voice came over the intercom.
"FBI's here. Three agents. Warrant in hand."
Clair felt her stomach drop. "What?"
Austin set his glass down and rolled his sleeves.
"Time to play politics."
The lead agent, a tall Black woman with sharp eyes and tighter words, walked into the estate like she owned it.
"Agent Simone Reeves, Organized Crime Division," she said, flashing her badge. "We have reason to believe Mr. Montgomery is involved in a federal weapons ring."
"Reason or suspicion?" Austin asked, cold and calm.
"Evidence."
Reeves turned to Clair, her gaze unreadable. "And we'd like to question your… fiancée."
Clair froze.
"We're not..." she started, but Austin's hand slid into hers.
"She'll answer nothing without legal counsel," he said.
Reeves smirked. "I see. Playing the marriage card early. Smart."
She handed a white envelope to Austin. "Here's your official summons. Your properties are now under surveillance. Including the ones offshore."
She turned to leave, then looked back at Clair. "If you are pregnant, Ms. Johnson, I suggest you consider what kind of legacy you want to leave behind."
As the door shut, silence echoed through the hall.
Later that evening, Clair sat alone in the sunroom. Her mind spun. The pregnancy rumors were out. The FBI was circling. And the man she loved was at war with shadows she didn't even know how to fight.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up the test she had taken earlier—just to be sure.
Two lines.
Positive.
She covered her mouth.
This wasn't just a rumor. It was real.
Her body suddenly didn't feel like hers anymore. She was protecting something. Someone. And the timing couldn't have been worse.
Behind her, Austin stepped in. His expression changed the moment he saw her face.
"What is it?" he asked softly.
She turned the test toward him, her throat too dry to speak.
Austin stared at it for a long time, as if the truth needed to settle somewhere between belief and disbelief.
"Clair…"
"I didn't know," she said quickly. "And I'm not asking for anything. I just.... I needed to tell you."
He crossed the room in two strides and pulled her into his arms. His lips touched her forehead.
"I already told you. You're my world. This just means it's growing."
Tears filled her eyes. She gripped the back of his shirt like he might disappear.
But the moment shattered when Daniel stormed in, eyes wide.
"She's back."
Austin looked up sharply. "Who?"
Daniel swallowed. "Isadora."