Jocelyn’s POV
"From now on, everyone who enters the foundation signs in with photo ID," Zayden says, reviewing the new security protocols with our facilities manager. "No exceptions, no walk-in tours. All visitors need appointments confirmed by staff."
We're in the main conference room—Zayden, Maya, me, and David from security. It's been two hours since I told him about Aiden's visit, and he's in full protective mode.
"What about families seeking services?" Maya asks. "We've always had an open-door policy."
"They still get immediate help. But they check in at the front desk first."
Zayden points to the updated floor plan on his laptop.
"David, I want cameras covering all entry points. And I need visitor logs going back six months—I want to know if Aiden's been here before today."
"On it," David says, making notes.
"This feels extreme," I say quietly.
Zayden looks at me. "He accessed your medical records, Jocelyn. That's not just inappropriate—it's criminal. We're taking this seriously."
He's right. I know he's right, but the fortress mentality makes me uneasy.
After David and Maya leave, it's just us in the conference room. Late afternoon sun streaming through windows, making everything feel too bright.
"You okay?" Zayden asks, softening now that we're alone.
"I need to tell you something."
The words come out before I can stop them, before I can talk myself out of it again.
Zayden's expression shifts immediately. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. Maybe. I don't know yet." I'm fumbling this badly. "Can we… go to your office? Somewhere more private?"
His concern deepens, but he nods. We walk down the hall in silence, and my heart is hammering so hard I'm sure he can hear it.
Inside his office, I close the door, lock it. I turn to face him.
"Jocelyn, you're scaring me."
"I'm pregnant."
The words land between us like a grenade with the pin pulled.
Zayden goes completely still. "What?"
"I'm pregnant. Five weeks. I took two tests three days ago. Both positive." The confession pours out now, unstoppable. "I've been trying to figure out how to tell you, but I kept thinking about Mia and the leukemia and genetic risks and what if this baby inherits the same markers—"
"Wait. Stop." He crosses to me, hands on my shoulders. "You've known for three days?"
"I'm sorry. I should've told you immediately, but I panicked and—"
"You're pregnant." He says it like he's testing the word, seeing how it fits. "We're having a baby."
I can't read his expression, can't tell if he's happy or terrified or angry that I kept this from him.
"Say something," I whisper.
"I'm trying to process." His hands slide from my shoulders to frame my face. "You've been carrying this alone for three days. The fear, the genetic concerns, all of it."
"I didn't know how to share it without drowning you in my catastrophizing."
"So you drowned alone instead?" His voice cracks. "Jocelyn, we're supposed to be partners. You're supposed to let me drown with you."
Tears are streaming down my face now. "I was scared you'd be excited and I'd ruin it with my fear. Or that you'd be scared too and confirm everything I was already thinking."
"I am scared." He presses his forehead to mine. "I'm terrified. Genetic risks, potential complications, all the things that could go wrong. But I'm also…" His voice breaks completely. "I'm so fucking happy I can barely breathe."
"Really?"
"Really." He pulls back to look at me. "You're growing our child, a sibling for Mia. A family we get to choose, not one Harrison orchestrated. How could I not be happy?"
"Even with the risks?"
"We'll manage the risks together. Genetic counseling, monitoring, whatever it takes." His thumbs wipe away my tears. "But we do it together. No more hiding, no more carrying fear alone. Deal?"
"Deal." I let out a sob-laugh. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
"I'm sorry you felt like you couldn't." He kisses me—soft, reverent, full of promise. "When's the first appointment?"
"Next week. I scheduled it yesterday but haven't confirmed it yet because…"
"Because you weren't sure you could face it alone." He pulls out his phone. "I'm clearing my calendar. I'll be at every appointment, every test, every single moment of this."
The relief is overwhelming. I sag against him, and he holds me tight.
"We're having a baby," he murmurs against my hair.
"We're having a baby," I repeat, and this time it sounds like hope instead of terror.
A sharp knock on the door makes us both jump.
"Occupied," Zayden calls out.
"Mr. Wolfe?" It's Patricia from the reception. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's someone here to see you. Says it's urgent."
Zayden and I exchange glances. "Tell them to make an appointment."
"He says he's your brother. Aiden Wolfe."
My stomach drops. "You've got to be kidding me."
Zayden's expression hardens. "Tell him I'm busy."
"He left a package for you. Says it's a partnership proposal for the foundation."
"I'll get it later."
"He's insisting on handing it to you personally. Says it's time-sensitive."
Zayden swears under his breath. "Give me five minutes."
He turns to me. "Stay here."
"Like hell. We face this together, remember?"
"Jocelyn…"
"Together." I grab his hand. "I'm not hiding while he plays whatever game this is."
We walk to reception together. Aiden's standing by Patricia's desk, holding a leather portfolio, looking perfectly at ease.
"Zayden! And Jocelyn again. What a pleasant surprise." His smile is all teeth. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."
"You are," Zayden says flatly. "What do you want?"
"To discuss partnership opportunities." Aiden extends the portfolio. "I've been developing corporate wellness programs. Thought the foundation might benefit from collaboration."
"We're not interested."
"You haven't even looked at the proposal."
"Don't need to." Zayden doesn't take the portfolio. "We're implementing new visitor policies. If you want to schedule a formal meeting, you can submit a request through our website like everyone else."
Aiden's smile doesn't falter. "That seems unnecessarily bureaucratic for family."
"We're not family. We're estranged half-brothers with a shared dead father and nothing else in common."
"Ouch." Aiden presses a hand to his chest in mock hurt. "And here I thought we could move past old grievances. Especially now, with everything changing."
The way he says "everything changing" while glancing at me makes my skin crawl.
"Leave," Zayden says. "Now. Or I'll have security escort you out."
"No need for hostility." Aiden sets the portfolio on Patricia's desk. "I'll leave this here. Look it over when you're ready. My contact information's inside."
He heads for the door, then pauses. "Congratulations again, Jocelyn. On all the new developments."
The door closes behind him, and I realize I'm shaking.
"Did he just—" I can't finish the sentence.
Zayden picks up the portfolio, opens it. Inside is a single page with Aiden's contact information and one line: Family takes care of family. Looking forward to being involved.
Nothing about wellness programs. Nothing about partnership. Just a threat wrapped in pleasantries.
"He knows," I whisper. "He knows about the pregnancy."
Zayden's hands tighten on the portfolio until it crumples. "That's it. I'm calling our lawyer. And a private investigator. I want to know everything Aiden's been doing for the past five years."
He storms toward his office, and I stand frozen in reception.
Three days I kept this secret from my husband, and Aiden figured it out in less than twenty-four hours.