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

is a local

absurdity pulled a micro-smile

"I know," I murmured.

and I felt the silent

you

They called my name.

and followed the nurse down the

ultrasound room was small and

Dim lighting.

A large screen.

monitor beside

table in the center

walked

"Gwen.

Nick.

greeted us

been feeling?" she asked, pulling up

what I was supposed

Everything under control.

No relevant symptoms.

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

"I.

.

.

an anxiety episode on the

felt strangely

"But I'm better now.

The doctor

"That happens.

there have been difficult experiences

"We'll take it slow.

She moved through the

Blood pressure.

Routine questions.

Confirming the weeks.

dates, you're around sixteen weeks,

"Yes.

stood nearby, leaning against the wall, but I felt

I recognized that moment when my

and the cold touch of gel made me hold my

she said softly, placing the transducer against

this baby is

The screen

I saw shapes.

Shadows.

curved line that could have

this part

brain trying to decode

looks good here," the doctor said, guiding the probe like she knew the terrain

"Fluid levels are good.

Placenta looks fine.

right on

Everything looks

words I wanted

boy or a girl?" she asked suddenly, like

I froze.

if I

giving it a

A future.

A name.

my

He didn't speak.

gave me a

Barely there.

want, I'm

I swallowed.

"Yes," I said.

doctor tilted her head

"We'll try," she said.

the baby

stepped closer

was the only thing in that room that felt completely

thought about names yet?" the doctor

A short, involuntary

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

let out a

has a very creative big sister," he told the doctor, pride simple and unfiltered

everyone needs

" The doctor smiled.

little creative director in

my eyes for

was still a word that felt fragile in

doctor refocused on

"Okay.

.