Our Accidental Forever
Chapter 59: Growing Feelings II

Chapter 59: Growing Feelings II

Ella’s POV:

After the ultrasound, everything felt different, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. Arec had been kind and attentive in ways that caught me off guard.

It wasn’t that I doubted his ability to be responsible, after all, we had entered this agreement knowing we were both adults capable of handling whatever came our way, but it was something else. And he had made it clear from the onset that he will be involved in the baby’s life.

But the way he looked at that ultrasound picture, how his eyes softened when the doctor mentioned our baby’s heartbeat, the way he offered to help more... It was all becoming a bit too real.

I lay on my couch, staring up at the ceiling, my mind racing as I replayed every moment from the doctor’s office. Hearing our baby’s heartbeat had stirred something in me, something deep and primal. It wasn’t just the sound of life growing inside me that made me feel overwhelmed. It was seeing Arec, standing there next to me, reacting like he was genuinely moved.

But was he? Or was this just part of the responsibility he felt?

I couldn’t tell anymore.

Arec had always been composed, always calculated. I understood that was why he offered this arrangement in the first place. He needed to meet the requirements of his grandmother’s will, and I... well, let just say I needed the money... Maybe a bit of stability.

But it was supposed to be no feelings, no confusion. Just an agreement that worked for both of us.

And yet, there was no denying that ever since the baby became part of the equation, Arec had started acting ddifferently

He was around more, offering to help, he even suggested that I should take time off work.

He seemed more excited, in his own understated way. The Arec I knew before this would’ve never shown that kind of emotional involvement. But here we were.

Was it all because of the baby? Or was there something more beneath the surface?

I groaned, rubbing my hands over my face. I needed to talk to someone before I drove myself crazy.

That’s how I found myself dialing Kate’s number. She picked up after a few rings, her familiar voice instantly calming me down.

"Hey, Ella! What’s up?" she asked, the sound of clinking dishes in the background suggesting she was probably prepping dinner.

"I needed to talk. Can we meet up?" I said, my voice tight with the anxiety I was feeling.

"Of course. What’s going on? You sound... off."

"Just... it’s a lot. I’ll explain when I see you."

"Say no more. I’ll meet you at our usual spot in twenty. Don’t stress out too much, okay?"

As always, Kate had this way of putting me at ease without even knowing the whole story.

At the coffee shop, I sat across from Kate, stirring my tea mindlessly. She was watching me, clearly waiting for me to spill, but I couldn’t quite find the words to start. Finally, I took a deep breath.

"So, things with Arec... They’re starting to feel different."

Kate arched an eyebrow, sipping her coffee. "Different how?"

I hesitated. "I don’t know. It’s like... ever since the ultrasound, he’s been more involved. Not just with the baby, but with me.

He’s been kinder, more thoughtful. It feels like... I don’t know... like he’s actually trying to be a part of my life, instead of just the baby’s life. But I’m not sure if it’s just because of the baby or if there’s something else going on."

Kate gave me a knowing smile. "Ella, are you telling me that Arec, the emotionally unavailable businessman, is showing signs of actually caring for you? That’s big."

I rolled my eyes, though her words hit closer to home than I wanted to admit. "It’s not like that. I mean, it can’t be, right? He’s just... doing what’s expected of him."

"Is he?" Kate leaned in, eyes glinting with mischief. "Or is he going above and beyond?"

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "I don’t know. That’s the problem. I can’t tell if he’s just being responsible because of the baby, or if he actually feels something... more. And that’s not even the worst part. I don’t know how I feel about it either."

Kate’s eyes widened. "Wait, are you saying you might have feelings for him?"

"I’m saying I’m confused," I muttered, feeling my cheeks heat up. "This was supposed to be simple. We agreed that this was a contract, that there wouldn’t be any feelings involved. But now with the baby, everything feels... complicated."

Kate tapped her fingers against the table thoughtfully. "Ella, maybe it’s not that complicated. You’re carrying his baby. That’s real. And maybe, just maybe, that’s making other things feel real too."

I frowned. "Like what?"

Kate grinned. "Like the fact that Arec could be developing real emotions for you. Think about it, why would he suddenly be so invested if he didn’t care? The baby is one thing, sure, but I think there’s more going on here. Maybe the real baby is starting to turn this fake relationship into a real one."

Her words sank in slowly, and I couldn’t help but consider the possibility. Could Arec actually be feeling something for me beyond the obligation of fatherhood? Was that even possible?

"Ella," Kate said softly, breaking through my thoughts. "You need to talk to him. You’re both clearly feeling things you didn’t expect, and the longer you both keep pretending this is just a contract, the more confusing it’s going to get."

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. "And what exactly am I supposed to say? ’Hey, Arec, I think things are getting too real. What about you?’"

Kate chuckled, shaking her head. "No, but you can start by being honest about how you’re feeling. Ask him about his change in behavior. Hell, just ask him why he’s being so nice lately. You might be surprised by his answer."

I chewed on my lip, thinking it over. Kate was right, as usual. I couldn’t keep ignoring the way things were changing. If Arec was feeling something more, I needed to know. And more importantly, I needed to figure out how I felt about it too.

Kate must have sensed my anxiety because she reached across the table and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, look. Whatever happens, just know that you’ve got me."

I smiled, grateful for her unwavering support. "Thanks, Kate. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

"You’d be a mess, that’s for sure," she teased, making me laugh.

We spent the next few minutes talking about anything but Arec, and for the first time in what felt like weeks, I felt the tension start to ease.