The Hockey Roommate's Filthy Desire novel Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Chapter 70

ARIA’S POV

Morning sickness was a cruel thing.

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It didn’t just happen in the morning. It happened when I woke up, when I brushed my teeth, when I smelled food, when I walked too fast and even when I breathed too hard.

Basically, it happened every second of every miserable day.

I gagged into the toilet again before wiping my mouth with trembling fingers, groaning softly as I leaned back against the bathroom wall.

“This baby better love me when you’re older,” I muttered weakly, pressing a hand to my stomach.

The nausea had definitely become part of my routine now. Every morning, I wake up, throw up, cry a little and then pretend I was fine.

I was trying. God, I was trying. After freshening up, I sat at my tiny kitchen table with my laptop open and began sending out more applications.

I had reworked my CV three times.

No mention of pregnancy. No mention of personal issues. No indication that I was anything but a hardworking graduate looking for employment.

Because if companies knew I was pregnant?

They wouldn’t even pretend to consider me.

By noon, after dozens of applications and rejection emails, my phone rang.

I froze. It was an unknown number. My stomach twisted as I answered. “Hello?”

“Good afternoon, is this Aria Vale?”

“Yes?”

“This is from Belladonna Suites. We received your application and would like to offer you the receptionist position if you’re still interested.”

My eyes widened.

“Wait, really?”

“Yes. Can you start tomorrow?” Tears nearly filled my eyes.

“Yes,” I blurted quickly. “Absolutely. Yes, I can.”

12:15 Thu, May 14 N

Chapter 70

72

55 vouchers

After the call ended, I sat there staring at my phone in disbelief before laughing breathlessly. “Oh my God…”

I had a job. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t the dream corporate position I wanted. But it was something. And right now?

Something was enough.

My first day came quickly. I wore my nicest blouse, tied my hair neatly, and showed up twenty minutes early.

Belladonna Suites was elegant, luxurious even. Marble floors, crystal lighting, rich decor. Far above anything I could afford.

But I stood behind the front desk with my shoulders back and my chin high. And for the first time in weeks, I felt hopeful.

The morning went smoothly. The regular check-ins, phone calls and greeting guests. It was simple work, but I liked it.

I liked feeling useful. I liked earning something for myself. Then around noon, I heard my name. “Aria?”

I looked up. One of the managers stood there, expression stiff. “Can you come to my office please?”

My stomach dropped instantly. “Yes, sir.”

Inside his office sat the general manager and another HR woman. My heart pounded. “Please sit.”

I obeyed slowly.

The manager folded his hands. “Miss Vale… is there something you neglected to mention during your hiring process?”

Confusion flooded me. “I don’t understand-”

“Are you pregnant?” My blood ran cold.

I froze completely. How the hell did they know?

“I…”

The HR woman frowned. “You deliberately withheld medical information from the company?”

“No!” I said quickly. “I—I didn’t think—”

“You didn’t think pregnancy was relevant information?”

My face burned with humiliation. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

The manager sighed heavily. “Reception duties can be demanding. Long hours, stress, standing. We should have known beforehand.”

“I can still work,” I said desperately. “I promise, I can handle it…”

12:15 Thu, May 14 N

Chapter 70

72

E 55 vouchers

He exchanged glances with the others. “Let this be your only warning,” he said finally. “Next time, be honest from the beginning.”

Relief nearly knocked the breath out of me. “Yes sir. Thank you. I’m sorry.”

I walked out of that office shaking. The second I got back behind the desk, anger replaced humiliation.

Serena. It had to be Serena. There was no other explanation. How else would anyone know? My hands trembled as I straightened papers at the desk.

Was she stalking me? Watching me? How far was she willing to go? The next morning, I came in determined not to let her ruin this for me.

I would keep my head down. Work hard. Ignore everything else. By ten a.m., I had almost convinced myself things would be okay.

Then the front doors opened. And in walked Serena. My blood froze. She wore designer sunglasses and an expensive white dress, her heels clicking arrogantly against the marble floor.

She stopped the second she saw me. Her entire face twisted in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

I stiffened behind the desk. She stormed toward me. “You still work here?” she hissed.

I kept my voice low. “Please leave me alone.”

Her eyes narrowed. “They didn’t fire you?”

“No.” Her jaw tightened in visible rage.

“Well, that’s unfortunate.”

“Miss, can I help you?” I asked coldly, forcing professionalism into my voice.

She leaned over the desk. “You’re unbelievable,” she spat. “You just keep crawling back no matter how many times people put you in your place.”

“Serena-”

“No, listen to me,” she snapped. “You’re pathetic. You’re carrying a bastard child no one wants and still trying to play victim-”

“Excuse me?” I hissed, anger flaring.

“Is there a problem here?”

My manager’s voice cut through the air. We both turned. My heart dropped. Serena smirked instantly, stepping back.

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