His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 1

Lumina Jardin’s period was a week late.

At first, she chalked it up to stress or a simple delay—nothing she hadn’t experienced before. Still, just to be safe, she slipped out during her lunch break and bought a pregnancy test. Huddled in the office restroom, she waited, heart pounding.

Two lines.

Her mind went numb, a dull buzzing in her ears. Her hands shook so badly the test slipped from her fingers.

With a soft clatter, it skidded across the tiles—straight out the stall door, landing just beneath the sinks outside.

She cursed her own clumsiness, about to dart out and snatch it back, when the door swung open and three or four coworkers walked in, laughing and chatting.

She froze, heart leaping into her throat. Then, forcing herself to stay calm, she straightened up, washed her hands, fussed with her hair, dabbed a bit of makeup on—anything to look normal. She breezed past them with a polite smile, praying no one could see the panic beneath her skin.

If anyone spotted that test… she was toast!

What now?

All she could do was linger by the bathroom, waiting for the others to leave, hoping to grab the test before anyone noticed.

Her nerves were taut as wire when her phone suddenly rang with a ringtone she’d set for only one person.

She hesitated, watching the screen, and finally picked up at the last possible second. “Hello?”

“Come to the lower parking garage. Now.”

That cool, familiar voice—flat, almost indifferent—made Lumina freeze. It had been a while, but she recognized him instantly.

Cedric Royce.

He was back.

For nearly half a month, he’d vanished completely. No calls. No messages. Nothing but radio silence.

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