Jess wandered out of the store with Macy awkwardly perched on her hip, her thoughts racing. She tried to rationalize what was happening—Maybe she’s just messing with me. Maybe this is all a joke. Or… maybe it’s that damn device again.
But then she felt it.
A sudden warmth soaked through Macy’s bloomers and began seeping into her own arm.
Jess’s eyes widened.
“Oh my god—did you just… Macy?!”
Macy blinked, looked down, and then up at Jess with innocent confusion—“Uh-oh… wet…”
Jess groaned. “Of course you did…”
Still holding Macy, she quickly began searching the mall for any kind of baby supply store—or even just a bathroom. Her pace quickened as she passed storefronts, drawing strange looks from other shoppers. Some people gave her sympathetic nods, others just stared, but no one questioned what they saw: a young mother with her toddler.
She finally spotted a small boutique called “Mommy’s Little Helper” tucked between a pretzel stand and a toy store. Jess ducked inside, the bell above the door chiming softly.
It was eerily well-stocked—diapers, bottles, wipes, even tiny strollers. Almost too convenient.
“Mmh… this is insane,” Jess muttered under her breath, juggling Macy on her hip while grabbing a pack of pull-ups and wipes.
As she turned toward the changing area at the back of the store, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you, sweetheart.”
Jess froze.
Turning slowly, she saw him: Geoff—a tall, confident guy about her age, with tousled hair, soft brown eyes, and a wedding band. He was holding a paper bag filled with baby snacks in one hand and a folded receipt in the other.
“Geoff...?” she asked cautiously, heart skipping.
He smiled warmly. “You look exhausted. Let me help with Macy. How’s our little girl doing?”
Jess blinked. What?!
Geoff stepped forward and gently lifted Macy from her arms. The toddler squealed in delight. “Dadaaa!”
Jess's brain short-circuited. “Hold on, Geoff, this… this isn’t real. You're not—”
He stepped closer, placing a hand gently on her stomach.
“And how’s the other one doing in there, huh?” he asked with a wink. “Any more kicks today?”
Jess looked down. Her eyes widened.
Her belly—previously flat—was now distinctly rounded. Not just the illusion of maternity clothes… but a full baby bump. A soft weight shifted inside her, and she gasped.
“No. No no no no…” she whispered, backing away.
Geoff tilted his head with concern. “Babe, are you feeling okay? You’re pale.”
Jess pressed a hand against her forehead, dizzy. “This is wrong. This isn’t me. I’m not pregnant. Macy isn’t a toddler. You’re not my—!”
A gentle chime rang out behind her—someone had just walked in.
Ryan, watching from a distance with Billy, leaned back with a proud smirk.
“She’s really losing it now. Think we should push her further?”
Billy frowned. “Maybe we should give her a break, man. She looks like she’s gonna pass out.”
Ryan hesitated.