Updated Dec 2, 2025 • ~9 min read
Cailyn had gone all out.
Julia’s apartment was transformed into a sophisticated baby shower that somehow managed to be both elegant and warm. Soft blue and cream decorations, tasteful flower arrangements, a catering spread that probably cost more than Knox made in a month.
Knox stood in the corner, holding sparkling cider and trying not to look as out of place as he felt.
“You’re doing the awkward boyfriend thing,” Julia said, appearing at his elbow. “Stop it.”
“I don’t know anyone here.”
“You know me. You know Cailyn. And you’re about to know a lot of my friends and business associates who are all dying to meet the mysterious artist I won’t stop talking about.”
“You talk about me?”
“Constantly. It’s embarrassing.” Julia squeezed his hand. “Come on. I’ll introduce you.”
The next hour was a blur of names and faces. Corporate executives who gave Knox assessing looks. Julia’s college friends who were friendlier but clearly protective. A few distant relatives who made polite conversation while obviously wondering about his tax bracket.
Through it all, Knox smiled and made small talk and tried not to think about how he didn’t belong here.
“Knox Barrow!”
He turned to find a woman in her sixties approaching with purpose. She had Julia’s eyes.
“Aunt Harriet,” Julia said, her voice tight. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Your father invited me. Said I should meet this young man you’re so taken with.” Harriet extended her hand to Knox. “I’m Julia’s aunt. Her mother’s sister.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Is it?” Harriet’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “My niece is eight months pregnant and dating a man she’s known for what—two months? Forgive me if I’m skeptical about the timing.”
“Aunt Harriet—” Julia started.
“I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking. It’s very convenient that you showed up right when Julia decided to become a single mother.”
Knox felt his temper flare. “I didn’t ‘show up.’ We met at a gala. We connected. It had nothing to do with the pregnancy.”
“Didn’t it? A struggling artist meets a pregnant billionaire heiress. Sounds like a fairy tale. Or a gold-digging scheme.”
“That’s enough,” Julia said sharply. “Knox is with me because we care about each other. Not because of my money.”
“Your father thinks—”
“My father is paranoid and controlling. And apparently he sent you here to harass my boyfriend. Well, congratulations. Mission accomplished. Now if you’ll excuse us.”
Julia grabbed Knox’s hand and pulled him toward the balcony, away from the party.
Outside, the late October air was crisp and clearing. Julia leaned against the railing, breathing deeply.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “That was completely out of line.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. She had no right to say that to you.”
“She’s not entirely wrong though, is she?” Knox said quietly. “I’m not exactly what people expect for you.”
“People can have whatever expectations they want. I don’t care.”
“Your family cares. Your father, your aunt, probably half the people in there.”
Julia turned to face him. “Do you care about me?”
“Of course.”
“Do you care about my money?”
“No.”
“Then that’s all that matters.” Julia took his hands. “I know this isn’t easy. My life is complicated—the company, my father, all these people with opinions about my choices. But you’re the best choice I’ve made in years. Possibly ever.”
Knox wanted to believe her. Wanted to think he deserved that faith.
But he knew the truth. Knew that when she found out who he really was, every accusation Harriet had made would seem validated.
He pursued her because of the baby. Because he wanted access to his biological child. Because he’s a liar and a manipulator.
“Knox?” Julia said. “Where’d you go?”
“Sorry. Just thinking.”
“About?”
About how I’m going to destroy us. About how your aunt is more right than she knows. About how I should have told you the truth three months ago.
“About how much I love you,” he said instead.
Julia smiled. “Good answer.”
They rejoined the party. Knox endured more introductions, more assessment, more thinly veiled suspicion. He smiled through all of it.
The gift opening was particularly painful. Tiny clothes, blankets, toys—physical reminders of the baby Knox had a biological claim to but no right to acknowledge.
Cailyn had organized games. Knox ended up partnered with Julia, trying to guess baby food flavors while blindfolded. Julia was terrible at it, guessing “probably vegetables?” for everything. Knox found himself laughing despite the circumstances.
“We’re going to starve this child,” Julia said after incorrectly identifying sweet potato as “maybe chicken?”
“I’ll handle the feeding,” Knox said. “You handle the rest.”
The words slipped out without thought. Julia went still.
“You want to help raise the baby?” she asked quietly.
Everyone was watching now. The entire party had gone quiet, waiting for Knox’s answer.
This was dangerous territory. Knox should deflect, make a joke, keep things casual.
Instead he said, “If you’ll let me.”
Julia’s eyes went bright. “Really?”
“Really.”
Someone started clapping. Then someone else. Soon the whole room was applauding, and Julia was kissing him, and Knox felt like the worst fraud alive.
After the party wound down and the guests left, Knox helped Cailyn clean up while Julia rested—the baby was apparently doing gymnastics.
“That was quite a declaration,” Cailyn said, loading the dishwasher.
“I meant it.”
“Did you?” Cailyn turned to face him. “Because Julia is about to make some big decisions. About her life, her work, her future. And if you’re not absolutely certain you’re in this for the long haul, you need to walk away now.”
“I’m certain.”
“Are you? Because from where I’m standing, you’re a guy who’s been dating my boss for two months and just committed to helping raise a child that isn’t yours. That’s either incredibly noble or incredibly stupid.”
“Maybe both.”
Cailyn studied him. “I’ve been doing more research on you.”
Knox’s stomach dropped. “Oh?”
“Nothing invasive. Just curious. You donated blood at a campus drive in college. You volunteer at an arts program for underprivileged kids. You paid your roommate’s hospital bill when he broke his leg and didn’t have insurance.”
Knox hadn’t known Cailyn could access any of that information. “Okay?”
“You’re a genuinely good person, Knox Barrow. Which makes me wonder why you’re with Julia.”
“Because I love her.”
“That’s what everyone says. But love isn’t enough when there are billions of dollars and a baby involved. There’s going to be scrutiny. Legal agreements. Probably a prenup if you two get serious. Can you handle that?”
Knox thought about Brian’s threats. About the investigation into the sperm donor. About all the ways this situation could explode.
“I can handle it,” he lied.
Cailyn looked unconvinced but didn’t press. “Julia really does love you, you know. I’ve never seen her this happy. So please—whatever you do—don’t break her heart.”
“I won’t.”
Another lie to add to the pile.
After Cailyn left, Knox found Julia in the nursery, sitting in the rocking chair they’d assembled together, looking at all the gifts.
“This is real,” she said softly. “In three months, there’s going to be a tiny human in this room. Needing me. Depending on me for everything.”
Knox sat on the floor beside her. “You’re going to be amazing.”
“What if I’m not? What if I can’t do this?”
“You can. You will.” Knox took her hand. “And you won’t be alone. You have Cailyn, your friends, your family. And you have me.”
“Do I? Really? Because what you said at the shower—about helping raise the baby—you don’t have to do that, Knox. I don’t want you to feel obligated.”
“I don’t feel obligated. I want this.”
“Why?”
The question was simple and devastating.
Because it’s my baby. Because I have more right to be involved than anyone. Because I should have been part of this from the beginning.
“Because I love you,” Knox said out loud. “And this baby is part of you. How could I not want to be involved?”
Julia’s hand tightened on his. “I don’t deserve you.”
You don’t know what you’re saying, Knox thought. If you knew the truth, you’d realize I don’t deserve you.
“We deserve each other,” he said.
They sat in the quiet nursery, surrounded by gifts and good intentions and lies Knox couldn’t take back.
His phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: This is Kenneth from the clinic. We need to talk. Please call when you can. It’s urgent.
Knox stared at the message, his heart sinking.
Something had changed. Something bad.
“Everything okay?” Julia asked.
“Yeah. Just work stuff.”
“At nine PM?”
“Commission client. You know how it is.”
Julia yawned. “I should probably sleep. This baby has decided my ribs are a punching bag.”
Knox helped her to her feet and walked her to her bedroom. They said goodnight at her door—Julia was too exhausted for anything more.
As soon as she closed the door, Knox called the clinic.
Kenneth answered immediately. “Mr. Barrow. Thank you for calling back.”
“What’s going on?”
“The person investigating your donation has escalated. They’re threatening legal action if we don’t provide information. Claiming they have grounds to access the records.”
“Can they?”
“Probably not. But the legal pressure is intense. And they’ve started contacting other sources—medical databases, genetic testing companies. They’re building a case to identify you through alternative means.”
“How long do I have?”
“Before they succeed? Hard to say. Could be weeks. Could be tomorrow if they get lucky with a DNA match.”
Knox closed his eyes. “Thank you for the warning.”
“Mr. Barrow? Whatever the situation is, whatever reason someone is looking for you—you might want to get ahead of this. Tell whoever needs to know before they find out another way.”
“I know.”
Knox hung up and stood in Julia’s hallway, listening to her move around in her bedroom, getting ready for sleep.
He should go in there right now. Wake her up. Tell her everything.
Instead, Knox left quietly, went home, and opened a bottle of wine he couldn’t afford.
Tomorrow. He’d tell her tomorrow.
Except tomorrow came, and Knox still said nothing.
And the day after that.
And the day after that.
While Brian Adams got closer and closer to discovering the truth.
And Knox pretended everything was fine.
Reader Reactions