Morning settled fully over the penthouse as the quiet moments upstairs gave way to the rhythm of the day. After freshening up, Yuna and Ethan Devereaux made their way downstairs, where the warm aroma of breakfast already filled the space. Elena had been busy in the kitchen, preparing everything with surprising dedication, while Luca sat nearby, scrolling through his phone, occasionally glancing toward the table as if waiting for the moment to start.
They all gathered around, taking their seats as plates were passed and the meal began. For a short while, everything felt normal—quiet conversation, the clink of cutlery, the comfort of shared space. Yuna sat beside Ethan, her movements calm, though her thoughts weren't as settled as she tried to appear.
Midway through the meal, Ethan set his glass down and looked toward Luca. "We have an important meeting at the office," he said, his tone shifting slightly into that familiar, focused edge. "Make sure everyone is there. On time."
Luca nodded immediately, already pulling out his phone. "I'll inform them now."
Yuna paused, glancing at Ethan. "What meeting?" she asked, her voice casual but curious.
Ethan didn't hesitate. "Just work," he replied smoothly. "Something related to hotel management."
The answer came easily.
Too easily, maybe.
But there was nothing in his expression that suggested anything more.
Yuna studied him for a second, then nodded lightly. "Oh… okay."
The conversation moved on, but something lingered quietly in her mind. She didn't press further. Not now.
Soon enough, Ethan and Luca finished their breakfast. Ethan stood, adjusting his watch slightly as he turned back toward Yuna. "We'll be back soon," he said.
Yuna gave a small smile. "Okay."
Beside her, Elena lifted her hand in a light wave. "Don't take forever," she added casually.
Luca smirked faintly. "No promises."
And just like that, they left.
The door closed behind them, and the apartment fell into a softer, quieter atmosphere again.
For a few moments, only the sound of cutlery remained as Yuna and Elena continued eating. Then, slowly, Yuna spoke.
"Elena…"
Elena looked up. "Hmm?"
Yuna hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then the words came out, quieter than usual.
"What if… Ethan isn't happy about the baby?"
Elena froze.
Her expression shifted instantly, surprise clear in her eyes. "What?" she asked. "Why would you even think that?"
Yuna looked down at her plate, her fingers tightening slightly around her fork. "I don't know…" she admitted. "What if he doesn't accept it?"
Elena leaned forward slightly, concern replacing the initial shock. "Did he say something?" she asked. "Did he do something wrong?"
Yuna shook her head quickly. "No, nothing like that," she said. "I just… asked casually."
But the answer didn't feel convincing.
Not fully.
Elena watched her for a moment longer, trying to read between the lines. "Yuna…" she said gently, "you're overthinking."
Maybe.
But Yuna didn't feel like she was.
Because her thoughts had already gone somewhere deeper.
Did he really not feel anything?
She kept her gaze lowered, her mind replaying the morning again—the moment she said I love you, the silence that followed, the way he didn't say it back.
She knew Ethan wasn't someone who spoke lightly.
She knew his world was complicated.
And she knew—
He had never loved her before.
But now…
Was it still the same?
Why didn't he say it?
Her chest tightened slightly at the thought, though she didn't show it outwardly.
"I know he cares," she murmured softly, almost to herself. "But… is that enough?"
Elena sighed quietly, not pushing further. "You'll know soon," she said instead. "Don't assume the worst."
Yuna nodded faintly, though her thoughts didn't settle.
They finished breakfast slowly after that. Elena stood up, gathering the dishes. "Leave it," she said, noticing Yuna about to help. "I'll take care of this."
Yuna hesitated. "I can—"
"No," Elena cut her off gently. "You should rest. For you… and the baby."
The word hung in the air again.
Baby.
Yuna's hand moved instinctively, resting lightly over her stomach.
She didn't argue this time.
Instead, she stepped back, watching Elena move around the kitchen, the sound of running water filling the space.
But her thoughts weren't there anymore.
They were somewhere else entirely.
Slowly, she walked toward the couch, sitting down quietly. Her hand stayed over her stomach, her fingers pressing lightly as if trying to feel something that wasn't there yet.
Her expression softened.
But there was uncertainty in it too.
"Baby…" she whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible.
A small pause.
Then—
"If your papa doesn't want you… what should we do?"
The words came out gently, but they carried a weight she couldn't ignore.
She looked down, her thumb brushing lightly over her hand.
"He will… right?" she added softly, as if asking for reassurance from something that couldn't answer yet.
The room stayed quiet.
Elena's presence in the kitchen remained steady, grounding.
But inside Yuna—
Doubt had already begun to grow.
Not because Ethan had done something wrong.
But because sometimes—
What isn't said hurts more than what is.
And she didn't know yet—
Whether silence meant hesitation…
Or something much deeper.
The quiet stretched further after that, settling into every corner of the penthouse like something soft but heavy at the same time. Yuna remained seated on the couch, her posture slightly curled in on itself, her hand still resting protectively over her stomach. The words she had whispered lingered in her own mind, echoing back at her in a way that made her chest feel tight.
From the kitchen, Elena could hear the silence too—not empty, but filled with thoughts she didn't need to ask about to understand. She rinsed the last plate slowly, her expression thoughtful. She had seen Yuna strong, stubborn, even reckless—but this version of her… uncertain, vulnerable, quietly afraid… it was different.
After drying her hands, Elena stepped out of the kitchen and walked toward her. She didn't sit immediately. Instead, she stood for a second, watching Yuna, then finally lowered herself onto the couch beside her.
"You're thinking too much again," Elena said softly.
Yuna let out a faint breath, not denying it this time. "I can't help it."
Elena leaned back slightly, turning her head to look at her. "He didn't reject you," she said. "Not saying something isn't the same as not feeling it."
Yuna stared ahead, her fingers tightening just a little. "But what if it is?"
Elena paused at that, choosing her words carefully. "Then you'll deal with it," she said. "But don't decide that before he even gets the chance to react."
Yuna didn't respond immediately. Her gaze dropped again, her thoughts drifting back to Ethan—the way he looked at her, the way he touched her, the way he stayed close even without words. None of it felt fake.
And yet…
"Why is it so hard for him to say it?" she whispered.
Elena gave a small, knowing sigh. "Because he's not simple," she replied. "You knew that from the start."
That was true.
Yuna closed her eyes briefly, leaning her head back against the couch. "I just wanted to hear it once," she admitted quietly.
Elena's expression softened. "You will."
There was a confidence in her voice—not blind, but grounded.
Yuna turned her head slightly, looking at her. "You really think so?"
Elena nodded. "Yeah. Just… maybe not in the way you expect."
The words settled gently, not fixing everything—but easing something.
Yuna let out a slow breath, her shoulders relaxing just a little. Her hand moved again over her stomach, this time more gently, more consciously.
"I'm not scared for me," she said after a moment. "I'm scared for this."
Elena followed her gaze, her own expression softening further. "Then don't be alone in it," she said. "You have me. And whether he says it or not—you have him too."
Yuna didn't reply right away.
But this time, her silence felt different.
Less heavy.
Less uncertain.
She leaned slightly toward Elena, resting her head briefly against her shoulder.
"Thank you," she murmured.
Elena smiled faintly. "Always."
Outside, the day had fully begun.
Inside, things were still uncertain—but no longer as overwhelming.
Because even with doubt—
There was still hope.
And for now—
That was enough to hold onto.