Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Marcus stepped into the office fully. His eyes locked on her.
“El. What are you doing here?”
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Elara’s brain stopped working. Completely shut down. No words were coming this time, she had no excuses, nothing to tell him at all. Nothing.
“The driver told me he was taking you to your mum’s hospital,” Marcus continued, walking closer. “But then I met you here, are you alright? He asked again
“I….Uhmm.” Her voice cracked. “My mum’s fine. I was done at her hospital. The doctor said she still needed to be monitored for a few days, and she could go home.
“Okay?’ His eyes were fixed on her now.
She still hasn’t answered his question ‘What was she doing here’
He asked again, “Okay, what are you doing here Elara?”
I just needed to come here for myself.”
“For yourself?” His expression shifted. Concern replacing confusion. “Are you sick?”
This was it. Shit, he’s caught her.
No hiding anymore. He’d caught her red-handed. She was sitting in a pregnancy clinic. About to get an ultrasound. The doctor had just confirmed she was five weeks pregnant with his baby.
She had to tell him. Right now. Come clean. Rip the bandaid off.
Just say it. I’m pregnant. We’re having a baby.
Three words. Simple.
But her mouth wouldn’t move. She just stood there frozen.
Marcus was already crossing the room. His hands went to her face. Feeling her forehead. Her neck. Checking her temperature like she was a child.
“Are you alright? Are you good?” His voice was urgent now. Worried. “What did the doctor say?”
Huh? Elara called out, she wasn’t listening, she wasn’t listening to anything he was saying, her mind was far
gone.
You said you came here for yourself, he reminded her
Ohh yeah yeah, ‘she nodded’
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Chapter 29
He turned to face Dr. Matthews. “Doctor, is my wife alright?”
Wife?
The word hit her like a truck.
Wife! Wife! Wife!
He’d never called her that before. Not publicly. Not even in private. They weren’t even married wedding was in two days.
But he’d said it. My wife. Like it was natural. Like it was real.
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yet.
The
Elara felt herself smile despite everything. Despite the panic. Despite the massive secret sitting between them like a bomb waiting to explode.
She actually did like the way he claimed her.
Dr. Matthews looked confused. Actually confused. He glanced between Marcus and Elara like he was trying to solve a puzzle.
“Wait.” He pointed at Marcus. “Mr. Thorne. Miss Vance…. sorry, Mrs. Vance, is your wife?”
“Yes.” Marcus put his finger to his lips. The universal gesture for keeping quiet. “But keep it hush. You’re one of the few people who know. We’re keeping it private until the announcement.”
He was smiling. Proud almost. Like he was sharing a secret with a trusted friend.
Dr. Matthews blinked. He was trying to process the whole thing. Then his face broke into a wide grin.
“Well, congratulations, Mr. Thorne.”
Marcus looked confused. “For what? Oh, the marriage? Right. Yes. Thank you. I’ll make sure to personally invite you when it’s time for the….”
“No, no.” Dr. Matthews shook his head. Still smiling. “Not for that. I mean congratulations. Your wife is preg…”
Marcus’s phone rang.
Loud. Those annoying iphone ringtones. The noise cut through the room like a siren.
He held up one hand. Gestured for the doctor to wait. Pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the
screen.
“Sorry. Give me one minute.” He stepped toward the door. “I have to take this.”
The door closed behind him.
‘Hello, yes please let them sign it, Marcus’ voice was fading away now.
Elara couldn’t breathe. She sighed hard, if you’ve never seen a miracle this is one.
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Chapter 29
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Her heart was beating very fast out of her chest, so hard she thought it might break through. Her hands were shaking. Actually shaking. She pressed them against her thighs to make them stop but it didn’t work.
The doctor had almost said it.
Almost told Marcus she was pregnant.
Right there. Right in front of her. Without asking. Without checking if it was okay without her first.
She’d been seconds away from the truth coming out in the worst possible way. The worst freaking scenario.
What would have happened? Would Marcus have panicked or called off the wedding or terminated the
contract.
Elara stood up so fast the chair almost tipped over. She crossed the room to Dr. Matthews in three steps.
She needed to sort out this situation before Marcus came back inside.
“Please don’t tell him.”
Dr. Matthews frowned. “What?”
“Don’t tell Marcus I’m pregnant. Please.”
“Why not?” He looked genuinely confused now. “He’s your husband. Shouldn’t he know?”
“I want it to come from me.” The lie came out smooth. Practiced. “As a surprise. On our wedding day. In two days. Please. I’m begging you.” It wouldn’t be nice if he hears it from a third party.
Dr. Matthews studied her face. Like he was trying to decide if she was telling the truth or just insane.
“Please,” Elara said again. “Just don’t say anything. Let me tell him myself.”
He sighed. Reluctant. “Fine. But you should tell him soon. He has a right to know.”
“I will. I promise.”
The door opened.
Marcus stepped back in. The phone was already back in his pocket. “Sorry about that. Work thing.”
He looked at Dr. Matthews expectantly. “You were saying? Congratulations on what?”
The doctor turned to Elara.
She could see it in his eyes. The hesitation. The internal debate about whether to keep her secret or tell the truth.
Please, she thought. Please don’t say anything.
Dr. Matthews turned back to Marcus. Smiled.
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Chapter 29
“Oh yes. I mean congratulations on your new baby.”
Marcus froze.
“What?”
The word came out quiet. Confused. Like he wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly.
Elara’s mouth opened.
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