**Chapter 6: The Web of Deception**

Days turned into weeks, and Julian's anxiety grew with each passing moment. He had set a plan in motion, one that would ensure Lexi's loyalty and affection. But as the days ticked by, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he had made a mistake. The guilt was eating away at him, and he found himself withdrawing from Lexi, unsure of how to face her. Lexi, sensing the change in Julian's behavior, tried to reach out to him. She asked him if everything was okay, if there was something bothering him. But Julian brushed her off, telling her that he was just stressed with work. He didn't have the heart to tell her the truth, not yet. As they went about their daily routine, Julian couldn't help but feel like he was living a lie. He was waiting for the call from the contact, waiting to hear that everything had been taken care of. But with each passing day, his nerves grew more frayed. One evening, as they were having dinner at a quiet restaurant, Lexi's phone rang. She excused herself to answer it, and Julian's heart skipped a beat as he saw her face light up with a mixture of surprise and excitement. "Who was that?" Julian asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Lexi smiled, her eyes sparkling. "It was my doctor's office. I've been having some irregular periods, and they wanted me to come in for a check-up." Julian's heart sank. This was not what he had planned for. He had expected the contact to call him, to tell him that Lexi was pregnant. But now, it seemed like things were taking a different turn. "Are you okay?" Julian asked, trying to sound concerned. Lexi nodded, her expression worried. "Yeah, I just need to get some tests done. But I'm a little nervous, to be honest." Julian pulled her into a hug, trying to reassure her. But as he held her close, he couldn't help but feel a sense of panic. What if the tests showed that she wasn't pregnant? What if she didn't need his help after all? As they left the restaurant and headed back to Julian's apartment, he knew that he had to think fast. He couldn't let Lexi go through with the tests, not if it meant that his plan would be exposed. He had to find a way to stop her, to make sure that she never found out the truth. The wheels were turning in Julian's mind, and he knew that he was about to get caught in a web of his own deception. But he was willing to do whatever it took to keep Lexi by his side, even if it meant hurting her in the process.