Final Semester, First Heir: Pregnant by the Billionaire CEO

Raven's POV

Arielle was one month old.

One month of waking up to her sweet little face, feeling her tiny fingers curl around mine, watching her discover the world with curious, sleepy eyes.

One month of Roman being the best father I could have ever imagined.

And yet—

I felt like I was drowning.

I should have been happy.

I should have been so full of love that nothing else mattered.

But the truth was...

I was breaking.

The Picture-Perfect Life

Roman had done everything right.

He had hired the best pediatrician in New York to take care of Arielle, ensuring she had every medical advantage possible.

He had taken over every late-night feeding, rocked her when she cried, changed her diapers with a level of expertise that I never expected from a billionaire CEO.

He had even started working from home more often, just so he wouldn't miss anything.

He was present, protective, and patient.

And I loved him for it.

But I couldn't tell him the truth.

That every day felt like I was fading.

That I felt more like a ghost of myself than a mother.

That even when I looked at my beautiful baby girl, I felt a deep, aching emptiness that I couldn't explain.

So I did what I had always done.

I pretended.

I smiled.
I kissed Roman.
I told everyone I was fine.

And I hid the darkness that was slowly swallowing me whole.

The Doctor's Appointment

The day of Arielle's one-month check-up, Roman was excited.

He had done extensive research, interviewed multiple doctors, and finally chosen Dr. Langford—one of the most sought-after pediatricians in the city.

"She's the best of the best," Roman had told me as we pulled up to the private clinic. "Arielle's in good hands."

I nodded, adjusting the soft pink blanket around Arielle's tiny body.

I should have been grateful.

I should have felt relieved that our daughter was getting the best care possible.

Instead, I felt numb.

I barely registered the appointment, barely listened as Dr. Langford talked about Arielle's weight gain, her feeding schedule, how healthy she was.

Roman, of course, was on top of everything.

He asked all the right questions, nodded at every piece of advice, and held Arielle protectively in his arms as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

And she was.

So why did I feel like I was watching my own life from the outside?

Hiding the Truth