He just wants to focus on work this year, rebuilding his achievements—not getting stuck in relationship drama like this.
His phone vibrated. A notification popped up.
Fara: "Busy? I'm in the lobby if you want to talk."
Evan sighed. This woman again.
Why does he feel like he's being chased from all directions?
He dismissed the notification and tossed his phone on the table. Not now. He needed to sleep.
But before his eyes fully closed, his thoughts drifted back to Michelle.
If she really is pregnant... what will he do?
Evan realized he was rushing. A pregnancy test can't be done immediately. He had to wait at least a week after possible conception.
He sat on the sofa, staring at his phone.
What should he do for the next seven days?
Avoid Michelle? Impossible. That would only make things worse.
Pretend nothing's happening? Unthinkable. Every glance from Michelle would remind him.
Or… just live normally until the time comes?
Evan exhaled. That was the only sensible choice.
But deep in his heart, a fear kept haunting him.
What if this time, something really changes early next year?
Seven days isn't long, but for Evan, every hour felt longer than usual.
He kept going about his day—working, avoiding Fara, occasionally meeting Michelle—but there was an undeniable tension.
Michelle herself seemed calm. She never brought up the possibility of pregnancy, as if she wanted to get through these days without pressure.
Still, Evan knew she was waiting too.
On the seventh night, Michelle finally sent a message.
Michelle: "I bought a test pack. I'll try it tomorrow morning."
Evan stared at his phone screen for a long moment.
This was it.
The answer to all the anxieties he'd felt over the past week.
His fingers typed a reply.
Evan: "Want me to come with you?"
The message was read but not immediately answered.
Then finally, a reply came.
Michelle: "Okay."
The next morning, Evan picked Michelle up and took her to his apartment. Michelle was quieter than usual but tried to stay composed.
Once inside, Michelle went straight to the bathroom, test pack in hand. Evan waited outside, sitting on the edge of the bed with his heart pounding.
Seconds ticked by.
Michelle finally came out, clutching the test pack tightly. Her expression was unreadable.
"How is it?" Evan whispered.
Michelle looked at him for a long moment, then held out the test pack.
Evan swallowed hard before looking.
One line. Negative.
Michelle exhaled deeply, her eyes slightly glossy—not with sadness, but perhaps because all the tension was finally over.
"Are you relieved?" she asked softly.
Evan didn't answer immediately. He felt a strange mix of emotions—relief, but also emptiness.
Finally, he nodded. "The important thing is you're okay."
Michelle gave a small smile and nodded too.
The tension of the past seven days was gone. But one thing Evan realized… his relationship with Michelle was no longer the same as before.
Evan hugged Michelle tightly, as if afraid she would disappear if he let go.
His feelings were mixed.
If the result had been positive, he was ready to take responsibility. But deep inside, there was a bigger fear than just becoming a father.
What if Michelle and the baby disappeared like Raka?
What if early next year, everything reset again, and he lost someone who had started to mean something in his life?
"What's wrong?" Michelle's soft voice came from his chest.
Evan shook his head, tightening his embrace. "Nothing."
Michelle didn't reply right away, but she didn't pull away either. She just leaned into Evan's embrace longer, savoring the moment without many words.
For now, Michelle was still here.
And that was enough… at least until time mercilessly spun again.
Evan watched Michelle still leaning on him. If he was really going to lose her someday, he had to do something before that happened.
A crazy thought crossed his mind.
A proposal.
Not out of panic or guilt, but because he wanted Michelle to know he was serious. That he wanted to hold on to something in his life, even if time often took away what was precious.
"Michelle," Evan murmured, making her look up.
"Hm?"
He looked deep into Michelle's eyes. "If I proposed to you… would you say yes?"
Michelle was silent, eyes wide with surprise.
"You're serious?" she whispered.
Evan nodded. "Serious."
Michelle kept looking at him, searching for certainty in his face. Then slowly, her lips curved into a small smile.
"Try proposing properly first," she said, half teasing, half emotional.
Evan chuckled softly. "Alright. Wait, I'll prepare everything."
Michelle smiled but kept her eyes on Evan carefully, as if wanting to make sure this wasn't just an empty promise.
And for Evan… it wasn't just a promise.
If fate wanted to toy with him again, this time he would fight back.