Page 73 of The Broken Keys

“Work?” Callum gestures to my phone.

“Yep. The Marcus Chen deal is moving forward.” I set the phone down and try to focus on anything other than those damn tests upstairs. It’s like they’re screaming at me to look at them. “Should be finalized and filed in a couple of weeks.”

“That’s huge, Lily. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” I pull the blanket tighter around myself, suddenly cold despite the warm sunlight streaming through the windows.

The nature documentary drones on. Penguins waddling across ice. Their simplicity mocks the chaos in my head.

I need to go read those results and know for sure. But if I look now with Callum sitting right here, I won’t be able to hide my reaction.

And if they’re positive, I’ll fall apart. I’ll want to run straight to Jax’s office and tell him everything, consequences be damned.

But that’s not fair to anyone. Not to Jax, who deserves a private conversation, not a public scene. And not to Callum, who deserves better than finding out I’m pregnant with another man’s child through my panic and desperation.

So, I wait. Only a few more hours until six o’clock. Just more time pretending everything is fine while my entire world shifts beneath me.

My phone rings. Bren’s name flashes across the screen.

I answer. “Hey, Bren. How’s Spain?”

“Hey, Livianna.” He clears his throat. “Callum texted me. Said you had a panic attack?”

I close my eyes. Of course, Callum texted him. “Yes, but I’m fine. It was just stress.”

“Are you sure? You haven’t had one in a while, so…?”

“Bren, I’m okay. Callum’s here.”

There’s a pause. “He’s still there?”

“Yeah. He’s been taking care of me.”

Another pause, longer this time. “Can I talk to him?”

I glance at Callum, who’s listening in on my side of the conversation. I hold my phone out to him.

“Bren wants to talk to you.”

Callum takes it as his cheeks turn red. “Hey, mate.”

Callum’s expression shifts to understanding. He stands and meanders toward the kitchen, giving me space but staying close enough that I can hear fragments of him speaking.

“Yeah, she’s okay now… No, she refused... I know... I’m not leaving unless she asks me…” There are a few beats of silence. He growls. “Yeah, mate. I’ll leave soon.”

He hangs up and faces me. “I’m needed at the studio. There’s this meeting I should be at. I’m the only one who can sign off on this contract we’re putting together.”

“Then you should go.” My heart rate spikes because I know exactly what I’m going to do the second Callum leaves.

He tilts his head, his gaze roaming over me. “I’m worried about you. What if…?”

“Callum, you can’t stay here all night. Go do your business.” I gesture to my office down the hall. “Believe me, I have plenty to preoccupy myself with.”

“Of course you do.” He nods as if he’s trying to convince himself I’ll be safe without him here.

“Callum, your work needs to be a priority. Trust me. If I need anything, you’ll be the first person I call.” I try to breathe through the anxiety clawing at my chest.

Upstairs. The tests are upstairs. Waiting.