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

a local

absurdity pulled a micro-smile out of

"I know," I murmured.

his thumb over mine, and I felt the

leaving you

They called my name.

I stood, straightened my spine, and followed the nurse down the hallway

ultrasound room was small and

Dim lighting.

A large screen.

monitor

table in the center

walked in

"Gwen.

Nick.

She greeted us

have you been feeling?" she

exactly what I was supposed to say,

Everything under control.

No relevant symptoms.

memory of vomiting on the sidewalk still lingered, and I didn't want to lie

"I.

.

.

episode on the way here,"

words felt strangely

"But I'm better now.

The doctor nodded, without

"That happens.

have been difficult experiences associated with pregnancy," she

"We'll take it slow.

through the standard

Blood pressure.

Routine questions.

Confirming the weeks.

dates, you're around sixteen weeks,

"Yes.

against the wall, but I felt him

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

and the cold

she said softly, placing

see how this baby

screen flickered

I saw shapes.

Shadows.

line that

hated this part

brain trying to decode what looked like abstract

good here," the doctor said, guiding the probe like

"Fluid levels are good.

Placenta looks fine.

right

Everything looks

I wanted to believe

you like to know if it's a boy or a girl?" she asked suddenly, like

I froze.

if I wanted to

meant giving

A future.

A name.

turned my

He didn't speak.

me a small

Barely there.

you want, I'm

I swallowed.

"Yes," I said.

doctor tilted her head toward

"We'll try," she said.

baby doesn't

stepped closer and

warmth of his palm was the only thing

thought about names yet?" the

short, involuntary

Glitter for a girl," I said with enough seriousness

let out

creative big sister," he told the doctor, pride simple and unfiltered in

needs

" The doctor smiled.

a little creative director in

I closed my eyes for

a word that felt

doctor refocused on

"Okay.

.