Ethan sat across from Sophia, his heart heavy as he absorbed her words. "I want to focus on my future," Sophia said firmly, her eyes avoiding his. "We can grow together," Ethan pleaded, desperation seeping into his voice. "I need to do this on my own," Sophia responded, her resolve unwavering.

James beamed as he introduced his new girlfriend to Ethan. "This is Sophia. You two will get along great!" James announced, oblivious to their history. Sophia forced a smile, her eyes betraying a flicker of unease. "Yeah… what a coincidence," Ethan replied, his fists clenched at his sides.

James was ecstatic, sharing his joy of becoming a father. "Ethan, you’re going to be a big brother!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. Later, Sophia pulled Ethan aside, her voice barely a whisper. "The baby is yours," she confessed, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination.

Ethan stopped abruptly, disbelief etched on his face. "What?" he asked, his voice a mix of confusion and anger. "I got pregnant before we broke up," Sophia admitted, her eyes pleading for understanding. "But James can never know," she added, the weight of her secret pressing down on them both.

James proudly showed Ethan the nursery, his excitement palpable. "I can’t wait for the baby to arrive! This is going to be the happiest time of my life," he declared, his voice full of pride. Ethan forced a smile, his heart heavy with the secret he carried. "Yeah, Dad. It looks great," he replied, the words tasting bitter on his tongue.

Ethan stepped outside, the sunlight enveloping him as he walked away from the house. The secret weighed heavily on his conscience, a burden he must bear for the sake of those he loved. The truth remained unspoken, a silent promise to protect the fragile happiness of his father. Ethan knew the path he chose was fraught with sacrifice, but he resolved to carry it through, his heart heavy yet resolute.