Chapter 11: The First Kick

The sun filtered softly through the curtains as Linh Tich stirred from sleep. For a moment, she just lay there, hand resting on her belly, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat and the quiet stillness of the morning.

Then—suddenly—something fluttered inside her.

She froze.

A strange sensation, light and unexpected, almost like bubbles or butterfly wings dancing beneath her skin. Her breath caught as she sat up slowly, heart racing.

And then—again.

This time stronger.

Her hand pressed gently against her stomach, eyes wide. “Was that… you?”

It was the first kick.

A mix of awe and tears welled up in her eyes. It was real. Her baby was growing. Moving. Alive.

She didn’t realize she was crying until a tear dropped onto her hand.

For the first time, she wasn’t alone in her body—this was her baby saying hello.

A thousand thoughts ran through her mind. She reached for her phone on instinct, then hesitated. Her fingers hovered over Trinh Duc’s name. Should she tell him?

He’d want to know. He deserved to know.

But did she trust him enough to let him into something this sacred?

She put the phone down.

Not yet.

***

Later that morning, Linh Tich was sketching in her studio when her assistant, Bao Anh, peeked her head in. “Boss, there’s someone here to see you. I told him you were busy, but…”

“Who is it?”

“It’s… CEO Trinh.”

Of course it was.

Linh Tich stood, smoothing her blouse. “Send him in.”

Trinh Duc entered, dressed impeccably as always, but looking a little nervous.

“I know I didn’t call,” he started. “But I wanted to ask if you’d had your check-up this month. I cleared my schedule to go with you—if you’ll let me.”

“I already went,” she said coolly.

He blinked. “Oh.”

“I didn’t think you’d show up.”

“I would have,” he said softly. “If you’d told me.”

Silence fell.

Then he noticed something pinned on her corkboard—one of her new maternity designs. His brow furrowed. “You’re designing a pregnancy line?”

“Yes,” she replied. “For women who want to feel powerful even when their bodies are changing.”

“It’s brilliant,” he murmured.

She arched an eyebrow. “Don’t flatter me.”

“I’m not. I mean it.”

There was a pause before she said, almost without thinking, “The baby kicked this morning.”

His eyes widened. “It did?”

She nodded, her voice softer. “It felt like… like bubbles. I didn’t expect it so soon.”

“Can I…” He stepped forward. “Can I feel it?”

She looked at him, then slowly shook her head. “Not yet. It was just a small flutter. It’ll come again.”

He nodded, understanding. “Still… thank you for telling me.”

“I wasn’t going to,” she admitted. “But something told me you’d want to know.”

“I do. I want to know everything.”

His gaze was sincere, and for a fleeting second, it felt like the man she once loved stood before her again.

She looked away. “Don’t make promises you might break.”

“I won’t,” he said. “Not anymore.”

***

Later that evening, Linh Tich met up with Thu Ha at a cozy café near the river. The two women sat in a quiet corner, sipping warm drinks.

“He showed up again,” Linh Tich said, stirring her tea. “He wants to come to every appointment now.”

“Wow. He’s really trying, huh?”

“Yes. But I can’t tell what’s real and what’s guilt.”

“Maybe it’s both,” Thu Ha said. “People can feel guilty and still want to do better. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“I know. But how do I know he won’t disappear again the moment something else catches his attention?”

“You don’t,” her friend said honestly. “That’s the risk. That’s always the risk.”

“I’m just… afraid,” she whispered. “Not for me. But for this baby. I don’t want them growing up feeling unwanted.”

“They won’t,” Thu Ha said, firm. “Because they have you. And you’ve already shown that you’re willing to move heaven and earth for them.”

Tears welled up again in Linh Tich’s eyes.

“And if you do decide to let him in,” Thu Ha added gently, “make sure he’s not just visiting. He needs to be building the home with you.”

***

That night, Linh Tich stood on her balcony, the city lights flickering like stars below. She wrapped her arms around herself, the memory of the baby’s first movement still vivid in her heart.

Maybe this was the beginning of something new—not with Trinh Duc necessarily, but with herself. A new identity. A new life.

She was stronger than before.

And she wasn’t afraid to draw lines in the sand anymore.

From now on, everything she did would be for her child—and for the woman she was becoming.

The wind brushed her hair back as she whispered to the night:

“I’ve got you, little one. No matter what.”

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