Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 695 Gwen's POV The hospital wristband felt too light for the weight I was carrying.

My name printed in black ink reduced my entire life to one clean line.

As if the hardest thing in the world were just a well-entered record.

I pressed the folder to my chest, checked the time on my phone for the third time, and, out of habit, organized everything I needed to say.

Weeks.

Symptoms.

Questions.

Follow-up tests.

I could do this.

I always could.

If kept everything perfectly organized, I wouldn't feel anything beyond what was necessary.

Lie.

What I felt was a constant hum in my chest.

Like an engine running in neutral.

Nick walked beside me with enough calm for both of us.

His hand found mine when he noticed I was gripping the folder too tightly.

"We're early," he said, like time was something gentle.

"I plan to be early," I replied.

He let out a soft laugh.

"Of course you do.

" The receptionist asked for our documents, and I answered automatically.

Names.

Dates.

Numbers.

I liked numbers.

Numbers don't lie.

Nick let me speak without interrupting, but when the woman stepped away, he tilted his head toward me.

"are you breathing?" I blinked, like he'd caught me doing something wrong.

"Of course.

" "Real breathing, Gwen.

" I swallowed.

Inhaled.

Exhaled.

The air scraped a little on the way in, but it went in.

Nick brushed his knee lightly against mine.

Subtle.

Present.

"Want to tell me something that has nothing to do with heartbeats, weeks, or protocols?" he asked.

I stared at the white wall, searching for a subject like it was an exit.

"The gelato place on the comer closed," I said.

"it did not," he answered immediately.

"itdid.

" "I pass it every day.

It exists.

" "I walked by yesterday.

There was a sign.

" I looked at him.

" Closed for renovations.

He placed a hand dramatically over his

is a local

a micro-smile

"I know," I murmured.

and

leaving you alone in

They called my name.

my spine, and followed the nurse down the hallway like it was a corporate

ultrasound room was

Dim lighting.

A large screen.

smaller monitor beside

exam table in the center like a white

doctor walked

"Gwen.

Nick.

She greeted

you been feeling?" she

what I was supposed to say,

Everything under control.

No relevant symptoms.

the memory of vomiting on the sidewalk still lingered, and

"I.

.

.

episode on the way

felt

"But I'm better now.

The doctor

"That happens.

when there have been difficult experiences associated with

"We'll take it slow.

through the

Blood pressure.

Routine questions.

Confirming the weeks.

dates, you're around

"Yes.

nearby, leaning against the wall, but I felt him

doctor put on gloves, prepared the gel, and I recognized that moment when my body tries to react before I

on the table, and the cold touch of gel

softly, placing the transducer against my

this baby is

The screen

I saw shapes.

Shadows.

curved line that

this part of the

trying to decode

said, guiding the probe like she

"Fluid levels are good.

Placenta looks fine.

are right

Everything

wanted to

it's a boy or a girl?" she asked suddenly, like she was

I froze.

know if I wanted

giving it a

A future.

A name.

my

He didn't speak.

gave me a small

Barely there.

want,

I swallowed.

"Yes," I said.

her head toward

"We'll try," she said.

the baby doesn't

closer and took

only thing in that room that

thought about names yet?"

short, involuntary laugh escaped

boy and Princess Glitter for a girl,"

let out a

a very creative big sister," he told

needs

" The doctor smiled.

little creative

my eyes

still a word that felt

refocused on the

"Okay.

.