Chapter 4
Corine's POV
I sat on the edge of our California king-sized bed, my fingers hovering over the screen of my phone. My heart pounded so loudly I could hear it in my ears. Telling the world I was pregnant was one thing, but telling the people who mattered most? That was an entirely different weight pressing down on my chest.
Allen sat beside me, his hand warm over mine, grounding me. "Take your time, baby," he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple. "You don’t have to do this all at once."
But I did. Because the moment we told my family, the news would spread like wildfire. There was no controlling it after that.
I dialed my mother first. The phone rang twice before her warm, familiar voice answered. "Corine, sweetheart! What a lovely surprise. How was the Met Gala? You and Allen looked breathtaking."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "It was amazing, Mama. But I have something more important to tell you. Something big."
Silence. Then a sharp intake of breath. "You're pregnant."
A laugh bubbled out of me. "How do you do that?"
"I'm your mother. I know these things! Oh, my darling girl, congratulations!" Her voice turned watery, and I could hear the emotion brimming. "When did you find out? How are you feeling?"
"Three weeks ago," I admitted. "Allen's been taking care of me."
"Of course he has," she said fondly. "And your father—oh, he's going to be over the moon. You need to tell him immediately."
I smiled, my fingers trembling as I pressed the call button for my father.
"Pumpkin!" My dad’s deep voice rang through the phone. "I was just watching your Met Gala interview. What a stunning dress—"
"Dad," I interrupted, my heart racing. "I have news. Big news."
Allen squeezed my thigh as if silently cheering me on.
"Oh?" My father’s tone shifted, expectant.
I took a breath. "You're going to be a grandfather."
A beat of silence. Then a loud, joyous, "What?! Corine! Oh, sweetheart, this is the best news I've ever heard! A grandbaby? Oh, your mother is going to lose her mind—"
"She already knows, Dad," I laughed. "And she did."
"Well, of course she did! My brilliant girl, I am so happy for you and Allen. You deserve all the happiness in the world."
One by one, I called my siblings, each reaction different but overwhelmingly warm. My younger brother screamed so loudly I had to pull the phone away from my ear. My older sister teared up, promising to fly out to see me soon.
Next was Natasha. I didn’t even bother calling; I FaceTimed her. The moment her face popped up on the screen, I grinned. "Guess what?"
She narrowed her eyes. "You finally booked that trip to Greece?"
I shook my head. "No."
"You’re getting another dog?"
"Natasha!" I laughed. "I’m pregnant."
Her jaw dropped, then she let out the loudest shriek I’d ever heard, making Allen wince beside me. "No freaking way! Cori! This is insane! Oh my God, my best friend is going to be a mom. I can’t believe this. I need to be the godmother. I demand it."
"You already are, Tash," I said, warmth spreading through me. "I can’t do this without you."
"Damn right you can’t," she sniffed, wiping at her eyes. "I’m coming over tomorrow, and I’m bringing snacks. No arguments."
Telling Allen’s parents was a different kind of nerve-wracking. His family was powerful, influential, and notoriously private. We arranged a dinner at their estate, and I watched as Allen took his mother’s hand, looking into her eyes with that steady, unwavering gaze of his. "Mom, Dad—we’re having a baby."
His mother gasped, covering her mouth. His father simply nodded, eyes gleaming. "A Woods heir," he said, voice thick with emotion. "This is wonderful news, son. Corine. We are so happy for you both."
Everything was perfect—until it wasn’t.
.
Today is worse.
At first, I thought it was just pregnancy hormones, but today, I know for certain—I’m having another breakdown.
Today is the day we’re doing our photoshoot for my TikTok and Instagram announcement.
I’ve been feeling off since I woke up, like a heavy weight pressing on my chest. I can’t shake it, no matter how much I try.
As I sit in front of the mirror, brushing through my hair and trying to find some semblance of energy, Allen steps behind me, his warm hands resting on my shoulders.
“Love, are you sure you’re okay? We don’t have to do this if you’re not feeling well,” he murmurs softly, his concern evident in his voice as he meets my tired eyes in the reflection.
I force a small smile, trying to reassure him. “I’m fine, just some minor mood swings. The doctor says it’s normal.”
He doesn’t look convinced, but he nods anyway, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head before stepping back.
---
After three long hours, we’re finally done with the photoshoot. The pictures and videos have been edited and posted on social media with the caption: Our little miracle. Baby Woods #1.
Within hours, the internet explodes. Congratulations flood in, but so do the speculations. The media is in a frenzy, people dissecting every little detail, coming up with their own theories.
I try to ignore it.
Allen and I are curled up on the couch, enjoying a quiet evening together before he has to leave for a business trip tomorrow. I scroll through my emails absentmindedly when one catches my attention. My eyes widen as I read it over and over again to make sure I’m not imagining things.
“Oh my gosh, Allen!” I gasp, sitting up straight. “I just got an email from Lips Lie! They want me on their show! Do you know what this means?”
Allen looks up from his phone, a slow smirk forming on his lips. “That my wife is beautiful and talented and deserves every amazing thing coming her way?”
I roll my eyes, but my heart flutters at his words.
“This is huge, Allen! Lips Lie is one of the biggest podcasts out there! This could open so many doors for me.”
He reaches over, pulling me into his lap. His arms wrap securely around my waist as he gazes at me, his expression filled with nothing but admiration. “I know, baby. And I’m so damn proud of you.”
I rest my forehead against his, my fingers brushing along his scruffy jawline. “Thank you for everything, Allen. I love you.”
His lips find mine in a slow, lingering kiss. “I love you more.”
---
Three Days Later
I’m currently sitting on a plush couch, a mic in front of me, as I listen to the rapid-fire questions being thrown my way. The energy in the room is electric.
“Okay, guys! This is Lips Lie, and tonight we have none other than America’s sweetheart right here with us!” Hannah, one of the hosts, announces enthusiastically.
“Let’s give a warm welcome to Mrs. Corine Woods!” Gayah, the other host, chimes in excitedly.
I smile, trying to shake off the nerves creeping in. “Hey, guys! Thank you for having me.”
Hannah leans forward, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. “So, Corine, how are you feeling?”
“I’m great,” I respond, keeping my tone light and cheerful.
Gayah tilts her head, smirking. “We all know you from social media, but tell us something about yourself that we don’t see online.”
I launch into a well-rehearsed introduction, sharing bits and pieces about my life—my career, my passions, my love for travel—carefully leaving out my struggles. I can’t afford to let the world see that part of me. Not yet. Not when I’m still building this perfect image.
Hannah grins. “Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. How did you and Allen meet? Because, girl, the internet is obsessed with your love story.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Oh, this is actually a funny story. We met through my agent. I was booked for my first-ever commercial, and it just so happened that Allen’s company was the one shooting it. He was supposed to meet my best friend, Natasha, that day, but she got booked for another gig last minute. So, I went in her place.”
“Oh my god, so you were, like, meant to be there,” Gayah gushes.
I nod. “Exactly! It was totally unexpected. But the moment we met, there was just... something there. He invited me to lunch, and, well... the rest is history.”
Hannah clasps her hands together dramatically. “This is straight out of a rom-com. You guys are adorable!”
I laugh, but deep down, I feel the weight of the secret I’m keeping.
They see the picture-perfect love story, the glamorous lifestyle, the dream marriage.
But they don’t see the other side—the part of me that still struggles, the part that some days doesn’t even want to get out of bed.
And I’m not sure if I’m ready for them to see it just yet.