Months had passed since Damien's downfall, and life had finally settled into a peaceful rhythm. The scandal had been forgotten by the public, Adrian's company was thriving, and Ellie had carved a space for herself in his world—not as a partner by contract, but as someone who genuinely belonged by his side.

The two of them had grown closer than Ellie could have ever imagined. The line between their fake marriage and their real feelings had blurred until it disappeared entirely. Adrian, ever the reserved billionaire, had let her into his life in a way that felt profound, and Ellie realized she couldn't imagine her life without him.

But fate, as always, had a way of surprising them.

The Revelation

Ellie stood in the bathroom of the penthouse, staring at the small plastic stick in her hand. The word "Pregnant" glared up at her, as though mocking her disbelief.

Her heart raced. She sat down on the edge of the bathtub, her thoughts spiraling.

"This wasn't part of the plan," she murmured to herself.

Her mind flashed back to the past few weeks: the late nights with Adrian, the laughter, the quiet intimacy they'd shared. This was real now—more real than she had ever prepared for.

When Adrian knocked on the door, his voice soft with concern, Ellie froze.

"You okay in there?" he asked.

"Yeah!" she replied, her voice a little too high-pitched. "Just... uh, give me a minute!"

When she finally emerged, Adrian was leaning against the wall, his brows furrowed.

"You've been acting weird all day," he said. "What's going on?"

Ellie hesitated, her hands fidgeting. Then she took a deep breath and blurted it out.

"I'm pregnant."

Adrian blinked, his expression unreadable. "Pregnant?"

She nodded, holding her breath. "I know this is... unexpected, and maybe not what you wanted, but—"

Adrian interrupted her by stepping closer, his hands gently cupping her face.

"Ellie," he said, his voice steady, "this is the best surprise I've ever had."

Tears sprang to her eyes. "You mean that?"

"I mean it," he said, his lips curving into a rare, soft smile. "You've already changed my life in ways I never thought possible. This... this is just the next chapter."

Ellie laughed through her tears, her heart swelling. "Well, I hope you're ready for the chaos."

Adrian chuckled, pulling her into a hug. "With you? I wouldn't have it any other way."

The New Beginning

Nine months later, the penthouse was filled with a new kind of chaos—the cries of a newborn baby girl. Adrian and Ellie named her Lila Grace Blackwell, a name that felt as strong and full of possibility as the life they had built together.

Adrian surprised Ellie by stepping away from work more than she thought possible, dedicating time to their new family. Watching him hold their daughter, his once-cold exterior melting away, made Ellie fall even deeper in love with him.

As for Ellie, she found herself embracing a role she never expected: not just a wife, but a mother, a partner, and a woman who had found her place in a world she once thought she didn't belong to.

The Final Scene

One quiet evening, Adrian and Ellie sat on the balcony, a glass of wine in Ellie's hand (finally) and Lila sleeping peacefully in Adrian's arms. The city lights sparkled below, but neither of them noticed. Their world was right there, in that moment.

"Do you ever think about how this all started?" Ellie asked, a smile playing on her lips.

Adrian chuckled. "You mean the fake marriage that turned into the best decision of my life?"

Ellie laughed, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Yeah, that."

He kissed the top of her head, his voice low and warm. "I wouldn't change a thing."

And as Ellie looked at her husband and their daughter, she knew she wouldn't either.

The End.