Chapter 169

Serena jolted awake, flipping over to grab her phone with shaky hands. "What are you doing? I just finished work," Matthew’s voice came through low and husky, tinged with exhaustion yet strangely soothing. She felt a sudden sting in her nose, guilt bubbling up again. "Just had lunch... taking a nap." There was a pause on the other end. She could practically hear his smile before he spoke again, doting as always. "Lazy kitten." Serena stayed silent. He was being so sweet, it only made her anxiety worse—like a heavy stone pressing on her chest. She was terrified of what would happen if he found out about the birth control. Would he be mad? Hurt? Would he leave? Noticing her lack of enthusiasm, Matthew changed the subject. "If you're bored, let Jake take you out for a bit. Get some air." He chuckled lightly, "Or, you could drop by that baby store we visited last time." "No way!" "Oh? But who was it last night that said she wanted to have a baby with me?" he teased, grinning through the ph