"Sometimes, love blooms in the most unexpected places, but fate is never kind to those who desire what they cannot have."

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Riva stood in the college canteen, sipping on orange juice, a craving she had developed recently. Her body was slowly changing, and though she tried to hide her growing belly beneath loose clothes, people’s eyes always found a way to linger on her.

“Look at her. Pregnant at such a young age.”

“I heard she did it for money.”

The whispers echoed around her, but Riva had grown numb to the judgment. What hurt her more was the loneliness she felt. The only person who truly understood her situation was the man whose child she carried—Aarav Mehta.

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Later that evening, Riva arrived at the clinic for her routine check-up. Aarav was already there, waiting for her.

“You didn’t have to come, sir,” Riva said softly.

“I want to be here,” Aarav replied, his gaze filled with warmth. “This baby… it’s everything to me. And so are you, Riva.”

Her heart skipped a beat.

As the doctor performed the ultrasound, the sound of the baby’s heartbeat filled the room. Riva’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Would you like to know the gender?” the doctor asked.

Riva looked at Aarav, silently letting him decide.

Aarav smiled faintly. “No. I want it to be a surprise.”

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After the appointment, Aarav insisted on taking Riva out for dinner. They sat in a quiet corner of a small café, away from the judging eyes of the world.

“You’ve changed, sir,” Riva said, breaking the silence. “You seem… happier.”

Aarav chuckled softly. “Because of you. You’ve given me hope, Riva. Something I lost a long time ago in this loveless marriage.”

Riva’s eyes lowered to her plate. She couldn’t deny the way her heart fluttered every time Aarav looked at her with those gentle eyes.

“But this… what we feel… it’s wrong,” Riva whispered.

Aarav reached out, placing his hand over hers. “I don’t know when it happened, Riva. I don’t know when you became more than just the woman carrying my child. But I can’t stop feeling this way.”

Tears welled up in Riva’s eyes. “I’m scared, Aarav. After this baby is born, I’ll have to walk away. How will I survive that?”

“I won’t let that happen,” Aarav said firmly. “I’ll find a way. For you… for us.”

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As the months passed, their bond deepened. Aarav began spending more time with Riva, caring for her and supporting her through every step of the pregnancy.

Meanwhile, Tasha remained oblivious to the growing connection between her husband and the surrogate.

One afternoon, Riva felt a sharp pain in her abdomen while attending her lecture. Panic filled her eyes as she clutched her belly.

Aarav, who happened to be nearby, rushed to her side. “Riva! Are you okay?”

“I… I think something’s wrong,” she gasped.

Without wasting a moment, Aarav drove her to the hospital.

The doctor assured them that the baby was fine, but Riva needed rest. Aarav refused to leave her side.

That night, as Riva lay in the hospital bed, Aarav sat beside her, holding her hand.

“You mean more to me than you’ll ever know,” Aarav whispered.

Riva’s heart ached. She knew she was falling deeper into something that could never be hers.

But how do you stop loving someone when your heart refuses to listen?

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