**Chapter 9: Seeds of Deception**

The days that followed were uneventful, with Joe and Maya going about their daily routines as if nothing had changed. But beneath the surface, a subtle tension simmered. Maya seemed distant, her usual spark dimmed, and Joe couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction. He knew his plan was working, that it was only a matter of time before Maya discovered she was pregnant. One evening, as they were preparing dinner together, Maya mentioned that she had an appointment with her doctor the next day. Joe's heart skipped a beat as he wondered if she might already be showing symptoms. He forced a casual tone, asking her about the appointment, and Maya mentioned that she had been experiencing some fatigue and mood swings. Joe's mind began to whirl with possibilities. Could it be happening already? He pushed the thoughts aside, not wanting to get ahead of himself. But as they sat down to eat, he couldn't help but steal glances at Maya, his eyes searching for any sign of change. The next day, Maya left for her appointment, and Joe spent the morning pacing back and forth in their living room. He tried to distract himself with TV and books, but his mind kept wandering back to the condoms and his plan. As the hours ticked by, Joe's anxiety grew. What if the doctor told Maya something? What if she suspected something was wrong? He couldn't shake the feeling that he was playing with fire, that his scheme could backfire at any moment. Maya returned home in the late afternoon, her expression subdued. Joe tried to act nonchalant, asking her how the appointment went, but Maya just shook her head. "It was fine," she said, dropping her bag on the floor. "Just a routine check-up. The doctor said I was a little low on iron, that's all." Joe's heart sank. Not pregnant, then. Not yet, at least. He forced a smile, trying to appear concerned. "You're taking care of yourself, right?" he asked, trying to sound sincere. Maya nodded, but Joe could sense a distance between them, a growing chasm that he wasn't sure how to bridge. He knew he had to tread carefully, to keep up the charade of being a concerned partner. As the evening wore on, Joe found himself growing more and more agitated. He had been so sure that his plan would work, that Maya would be trapped in a relationship with him. But now, he was beginning to wonder if he had miscalculated. As they went to bed that night, Maya snuggled up close to him, her body warm and inviting. Joe wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. "I'm sorry if I've been distant lately," he whispered, trying to sound sincere. "I just love you so much, and I don't want to lose you." Maya stirred in his arms, her voice soft. "I love you too, Joe," she said. "But you need to trust me, okay? I can take care of myself." Joe's grip on her tightened, a subtle warning. He wouldn't let her go, not now, not ever. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, and he knew that he would do whatever it took to keep Maya by his side.