Emma stared blankly at the table.
Her hands were trembling.
Across from her, James watched in silence. There was something unreadable in his eyes - a mix of worry and tenderness, something growing quietly inside him, unnoticed even by himself.
After the doctor left - having handed over a prescription for vitamins and a string of careful instructions - silence returned to the room.
Emma remained still, her head bowed, her body tense.
"You heard him, didn't you?" she whispered. "I'm pregnant."
James took a slow step forward. "Emma..."
"Don't say anything." She lifted her head, her eyes glassy yet sharp. "Don't. I don't want you to think I'm weak or that I need your help again."
"I don't think that."
"Then what?" Her voice rose, trembling with anger and fear. "Do you think I'll beg you to talk to Harry about this pregnancy? I can do this on my own, James! I can give birth on my own, raise this child on my own - I don't need anyone's help!"
"Emma!"
James's voice cut through her words - firm but not harsh, more like a worried reprimand than a command.
He drew in a deep breath, his eyes holding hers.
"I'm not trying to take over your life," he said quietly. "But there's nothing wrong with asking for help. There's nothing wrong with being tired. I don't want to control you, Emma - I just don't want to watch you destroy yourself."
Tears finally spilled down Emma's cheeks, falling onto the back of her trembling hands. She bit her lip, fighting the sobs that threatened to break free.
"You don't understand, James. If people find out I'm pregnant now, they'll laugh at me. They'll say I'm using this baby to save a failed marriage. I... I can't bear that."
James looked at her for a long moment. Then, slowly, he sat beside the sofa, his gaze level with hers.
"I do understand," he said gently. "And I promise you - I won't tell anyone. Not even Harry. Your secret is safe with me."
Emma blinked through her tears, unsure whether to believe him.
"You promise?"
"Yes," James replied firmly. "I won't tell my family, I won't tell a soul. You have every right to keep this to yourself. I only ask one thing."
"What is it?"
"Don't hurt yourself anymore, Emma," he said softly. "You're not alone this time. I know you might not trust me yet... but please, let me stay close - from a distance, if that's what you need. That's all."
Emma's tears came silently now. She covered her face, her shoulders shaking as the dam finally broke. For once, she didn't have to pretend to be strong.
James didn't try to touch her, didn't pull her into his arms. He simply sat there beside her, giving space to her grief - to the weight she had carried alone for far too long.
When her breathing finally steadied, Emma looked at him again. Her gaze was softer now, warmer - fragile, yet sincere.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For not judging me."
James gave a small nod. "You've done nothing wrong, Emma. You just loved the wrong man."
She gave a faint, bitter smile. "And now I have to pay for it with the rest of my life."
James's eyes drifted to her still-flat stomach, then back to her face.
"No," he said quietly. "You'll pay for it with a new life - one that will call you Mother. Believe me, that's not a punishment. It's a gift."
Emma's tears fell again, but this time they were different - born not of sorrow, but of the rare comfort that comes when someone finally speaks without blame.
James rose slowly, giving her one last look before heading to the door. But just as he reached it, he paused.
"I know this isn't the right time," he said softly, "but I want you to know something - I'll never be like Harry."
The door closed gently behind him.
Emma remained still for a long time, staring at the space where he had stood moments ago - the quiet echo of his promise lingering in the air.
