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.

placed a hand dramatically over his

is a local

pulled a micro-smile out of

"I know," I murmured.

over mine, and

not leaving you alone

They called my name.

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

ultrasound room was small

Dim lighting.

A large screen.

smaller monitor

the center

doctor walked

"Gwen.

Nick.

greeted

feeling?" she asked, pulling up

I was

Everything under control.

No relevant symptoms.

vomiting on the sidewalk still lingered, and I

"I.

.

.

on the way here," I

words felt

"But I'm better now.

The doctor

"That happens.

difficult experiences associated with

"We'll take it slow.

She moved through

Blood pressure.

Routine questions.

Confirming the weeks.

you're around sixteen weeks, correct?" she

"Yes.

the wall, but I felt him

I recognized that moment

and

said softly, placing

how this baby

screen flickered

I saw shapes.

Shadows.

curved line that could have been

part

brain trying to decode what looked

here," the doctor said, guiding the probe like

"Fluid levels are good.

Placenta looks fine.

are right on

Everything

wanted to believe

or a

I froze.

didn't know if I wanted

meant giving it a

A future.

A name.

turned my head toward

He didn't speak.

me

Barely there.

you want,

I swallowed.

"Yes," I said.

doctor tilted her

"We'll try," she said.

the baby

closer

palm was the only thing

names yet?" the doctor

involuntary laugh escaped

a boy and Princess Glitter for a girl," I said with

let out a quiet

creative big sister," he told

everyone needs

" The doctor smiled.

little creative director

my eyes

was still a word that felt fragile in

refocused on the

"Okay.

.