IF HE WANTED TO HE WOULD: PREGNANT WITH THE CEO’S BABY - Chapter #1 - Free To Read

“I’ll never be enough for you, will I?” Sophie asked, her voice trembling but resolute. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest as though shielding herself from the weight of her own words. Her eyes, usually so bright, now shimmered with unshed tears.

Alex sat behind his desk, his head cradled in his hands. His temples throbbed with a dull ache. The office was oppressively quiet, save for the relentless ticking of the clock on the wall and Sophie’s uneven breathing.

“Sophie…” Alex began, his voice hoarse like gravel scraping against steel. He lifted his head just enough to glance at her but quickly averted his gaze when he caught the anguish etched into her face. “You were great…”

Sophie let out a bitter laugh, one that felt more like a sob she refused to let escape.

“That’s the kind of thing people say when they’re about to throw you away,” she said, shaking her head. Her lips curled into a painful smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “What is it, Alex? Just tell me. Why won’t you choose me?”

Alex’s shoulders sagged as though he were bearing the weight of every unspoken truth between them. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair—an old habit Sophie had once found endearing but now only made him look small and desperate. His throat tightened as he struggled to form words that wouldn’t tear them both apart.

“I had no choice, Sophie,” he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “You know I have to do this. I have to end us.”

Her breath hitched audibly at his words, and for a moment, she seemed frozen in place, as if time itself had paused just to prolong her pain. Then she blinked rapidly, her lashes damp with tears that refused to stay hidden. When she spoke again, her voice cracked under the weight of her heartbreak.

“So that’s it, huh?” she said, her tone teetering between disbelief and resignation. “I was only ever your secret.” She laughed again, but this time it was hollow, empty—a sound that echoed off the cold walls of his office like a ghost haunting them both. “I never stood a chance, did I?”

“Sophie—” Alex began, but she cut him off with a sharp shake of her head.

“I believed you,” she said, her voice rising with every word as anger began to seep through her sorrow. “I made you my world. I gave you my time, my energy, my love—because I believed in us. And maybe…” Her voice faltered for a moment as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. She wiped them away hastily with the back of her hand before continuing. “Maybe that was my mistake.”

She turned abruptly and strode toward her desk in the corner of the room. The sound of drawers sliding open and papers rustling filled the air as she began shoving belongings into her bag with trembling hands.

“What are you doing?” Alex asked, finally rising from his chair. His footsteps were hesitant as he approached her as though afraid she might shatter if he got too close.

Sophie didn’t look at him as she answered. “I’m quitting,” she said flatly.

The finality in her tone sent a jolt of panic through Alex’s chest. “Sophie…don’t do this,” he pleaded, reaching out but stopping short of touching her shoulder. “Please don’t leave like this.”

She froze mid-motion and turned slowly to face him. . “Leave like what?” she asked quietly. “Like someone who finally understands where they stand? Like someone who refuses to be second best?”

Alex opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss for words. The truth hung between them like an unspoken confession he couldn’t bring himself to utter.

Sophie shook her head again and resumed packing her things with renewed determination. The framed photo of them together at last year’s office party—a moment when they’d been happy and carefree—was shoved unceremoniously into her bag along with pens and notebooks.

“You can’t just walk away,” Alex said desperately, stepping closer now as though proximity alone could fix what was broken between them.

“Watch me,” Sophie replied without missing a beat. Her voice was steady now—cold and resolute in a way that made Alex’s stomach twist uncomfortably.

As she zipped up her bag and slung it over her shoulder, she paused in front of him one last time. For a brief moment, their eyes met—hers brimming with heartbreak yet laced with the kind of strength he’d always admired in her.

“I hope whatever it is you’re choosing over me is worth it,” she said softly but firmly. “Because you just lost someone who would’ve done anything for you.”

****

One month ago…

The shrill ring of the office phone jerked Sophie up from her chair. Her heart leaped as she grabbed the receiver, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Miss Carter, my office. Now," her boss, Alex Donald’s deep voice commanded before the line went dead.

Sophie swallowed hard, her pulse racing. He had never called her like that before—not with such authority laced with something else she couldn’t quite place.

Was it possible that he had heard?

Her stomach twisted as she thought about her conversation with Benita earlier. Her best friend had dropped by during lunch, and, as usual, they talked about everything—including Sophie’s embarrassing crush on her boss, Alex. Sophie didn’t really talk about it with much energy, though. It wasn’t like she was spilling her heart out; she just mentioned it like any other worry, something most girls might deal with.

Then Alex had walked into view from down the hallway. The moment she saw him, tall and intimidating as ever, she froze. Benita rolled her eyes, forced an awkward smile, and quickly changed the subject.

But Alex had just… stared at them before walking into his office.

Had he heard?

Sophie felt the heat creep up her neck as she pushed her chair back and straightened her skirt. No, it was probably something else. Maybe it was just work-related.

He had never given her any reason to think he would take an interest in her personal life. She was just his secretary, after all.

Taking a deep breath, she walked down the hallway toward his office. The large oak door stood imposing as ever. She hesitated, smoothing her blouse as if that would somehow give her confidence. Then, raising a fist, she knocked.

"Come in," came his smooth baritone.

She stepped inside, trying to keep her nerves from showing.

Alex wasn’t sitting behind his desk like he usually did. Instead, he was perched on the edge of it, his strong arms crossed over his broad chest.

The top two buttons of his crisp white shirt were undone, giving him a slightly relaxed yet dangerously confident look.

"Close the door, Sophie," he said, his voice unusually soft.

Sophie gulped down and turned, shutting the door behind her with a quiet click. She turned back, suddenly feeling awkward under his piercing gaze.

“You… you wanted to see me? Is there something I can help with?” she asked, doing her best to sound professional.

He smirked, a slow, knowing smirk that sent shivers down her spine.

"I did," he said simply.

Sophie waited, expecting him to continue. But he didn’t. He just sat there, watching her like a cat playing with its prey.

"Uh… what do you need me to do?" she asked, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

His smirk widened slightly.

"Tell me, Sophie…" He leaned forward just a little. "Why have you had a crush on me all this time without telling me?"

Sophie felt the floor drop beneath her.

Her mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. No words came out.

He heard.

Oh, God. He heard everything.

Her entire body ignited with heat, her cheeks burning so fiercely she was certain she looked like a human tomato.

"I—I don’t know what you’re talking about," she stammered, shaking her head so fast it almost made her dizzy.

Alex chuckled. "Don’t lie to me, Sophie. I heard you and your friend talking."

Her breath hitched.

"You—you did?"

"Every word," he confirmed, tilting his head as if he were studying her reaction. "You like me, huh?"

Sophie wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole.

"No," she lied quickly.

"Really?" He raised an eyebrow. "Because you sounded pretty smitten to me."

"I—I used to!" she blurted out, immediately regretting it. "I mean—I did, but not anymore. It was just a silly crush. Nothing serious."

Alex made a thoughtful sound, standing up to his full height. Sophie instinctively took a step back.

"So, you used to have a crush on me?" He took a slow step forward.

Sophie took another step back, her back pressing against the closed door. "Yes! Exactly. It’s over now. Gone. Completely gone."

His eyes darkened with something she couldn’t name.

"Hmm." Another step forward.

Sophie pressed her hands flat against the door behind her, her heart hammering. “Sorry about the conversation earlier...it wasn’t very professional. Just some casual chit-chat with friends, I guess, maybe out of vanity, or... something else. Mr. Donald, I—I think I should get back to my desk now.”

"Alex."

She blinked. "What?"

"Call me Alex." His voice was low, intimate.

Sophie swallowed hard. "But—"

"Say it," he urged.

She hesitated, her lips parting. "A—Alex."

A slow smile spread across his face.

"That’s better," he murmured. Then, without warning, he lifted a hand and placed it lightly on her shoulder.

Sophie froze.

The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through her, making her stomach flip. This was a different Alex. Not the strict, no-nonsense boss she had worked for the past year.

This was a man. A very dangerous, very attractive man.

Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

His thumb brushed over the fabric of her blouse, so light that it almost wasn’t there.

Sophie sucked in a sharp breath. "W-what are you doing?"

Alex didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned in just a little closer, his eyes locked onto hers.

Her knees wobbled. She wanted to look away, to escape this electrifying tension, but she couldn’t.

"Can I kiss you?" His next words shattered every rational thought in her brain.

Her breath hitched.

Sophie’s mind screamed at her to say something—anything—but the words were stuck in her throat.

She wasn’t sure if it was from shock or from the way his voice sent shivers down her spine.

Alex watched her, waiting.

All she had to do was say yes… or no.

But her lips refused to move.

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, drowning out everything else and the air between them grew unbearably thick.

Before she could force herself to turn away from the magnetic stare, Alex leaned forward and kissed her lips.