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

absurdity pulled a micro-smile

"I know," I murmured.

brushed his thumb over mine, and

leaving you alone in

They called my name.

nurse down the hallway like it was a corporate

room was small

Dim lighting.

A large screen.

monitor beside

exam table in the center like a

doctor walked

"Gwen.

Nick.

She greeted us

you been feeling?" she

knew exactly what I was supposed to

Everything under control.

No relevant symptoms.

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.

doctor nodded, without

"That happens.

have been difficult experiences associated with pregnancy," she

"We'll take it slow.

moved through the standard

Blood pressure.

Routine questions.

Confirming the weeks.

your dates, you're around

"Yes.

leaning against the wall, but I felt him like he was inside

I recognized

lifted my dress, lay back on the table, and the cold touch of gel made me hold

she said softly, placing the transducer against

see how this

The screen flickered

I saw shapes.

Shadows.

that

this part

brain trying to decode what looked like abstract

doctor said, guiding the probe like she knew the terrain

"Fluid levels are good.

Placenta looks fine.

are right

Everything

wanted to believe without

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

I froze.

know if

meant giving it a

A future.

A name.

my

He didn't speak.

me a

Barely there.

want, I'm

I swallowed.

"Yes," I said.

tilted her head toward the

"We'll try," she said.

baby

stepped closer and took

only

about names

involuntary laugh escaped

Glitter for a girl," I said

out a quiet

he told the doctor, pride simple and unfiltered

needs

" The doctor smiled.

little creative director in

I closed my eyes

was still a word that

refocused on the

"Okay.

.