Chapter <b>91 </b>


    ??? 91%<b>E </b>


    +28)


    ir leaned back in her office chair, rubbing her temples as she tried to focus on the reports in front of her. She’d been at it for hours, and the numbers were starting to blur together. Taking over her parents‘pany had been challenging but rewarding, and three months into her role as CEO, she was finally finding her feet.


    Her phone buzzed with a text from Roman: Dinner tonight at 8. Don’t bete. I have news.


    ir smiled, typing back: Intriguing. Should I be worried?


    His response came immediately: Only if you’re worried about how much I’m going to make you enjoy yourself afterward.


    Heat crept up her neck as she read his message. Three months of marriage, and Roman still had the ability to make her


    ush with just a few words.


    Grinning.


    Promises, promises, she texted back.


    Setting her phone aside, ir returned to the reports, but found her concentration slipping again. She’d been feeling off for the past few days… tired, slightly, and inexplicably emotional over the smallest things.


    Probably just stress, she told herself. Running this business even with Roman’s help and excellent management teams was no small ask.


    Her office phone buzzed. “Mrs. Kingston, your 2 o’clock is here,” her assistant let her know.


    “Send them in, Reba,” ir replied.


    The meeting with potential designers went well, but ir found herself fighting a wave of nausea halfway through. She managed to maintain herposure, impressing the young group of designers with her vision for Warner Industries‘ future, but the moment they left, she slumped in her chair, feeling exhausted.


    “You okay, boss?” Reba asked as she stood in the doorway. “You look a little pale.”


    “Just tired,” ir assured her. “I might head out early today.”


    Reba raised an eyebrow… Her had never left early before but nodded. “Your calendar is clear for the rest of the afternoon. Want me to call your car?”


    “That would be great, thanks.”


    As she packed up her things, ir’s phone buzzed with a text from Sutton: Baby’s officially one week overdue. If this child doesn’t make an appearance soon, I’m not sure if my belly will stretch anymore.


    irughed, texting back: Stubborn like its mother. Hang in there. I’m here if you need me.


    On the ride home, ir found herself thinking about babies. Sutton was about to be a mother, and though the situation with Luca remainedplicated, they had reached a ce of cautious friendship, bound by their shared excitement for their child.


    ir had always wanted children, had always imagined herself as a mother someday. She and Roman hadn’t discussed timing specifically, but they both knew it was part of their future ns. They hadn’t always use a condom. Sometimes Roman used ones for entertainment purposes.


    As the car pulled up to their home, ir was hit with another wave of nausea. She barely made it inside before rushing to the nearest bathroom, emptying the contents of her stomach.


    16:23 Wed, 18


    91%


    (+28)


    “What the hell?” she muttered, rinsing her mouth afterward. Maybe she wasing down with something.


    She changed intofortable clothes and curled up on the sofa, intending to rest for just a few minutes. When she next opened her eyes, the room was dark, and Roman was gently shaking her awake.


    “ir? Sleeping beauty? It’s almost eight.”


    She blinked groggily, disoriented. “I fell asleep?”


    Roman’s brow furrowed with concern as he sat beside her. “Reba said you weren’t feeling well. What’s going on?”


    “Just tired,” ir said, sitting up slowly. “And a little nauseous. I think I might being down with something.”


    Roman pressed a hand to her forehead. “No fever. Have you eaten today?”


    ir thought back. “Breakfast. I skipped lunch–the young designers‘ meeting ran long.”


    “That could be it,” Roman said, though he didn’t look entirely convinced. “Why don’t you freshen up while I order dinner in? I don’t think you’re up for going out tonight.”


    ir nodded gratefully. “What was your news?”


    A smile tugged at Roman’s lips. “It can wait until you’re feeling better.”


    She wanted to press him, but another wave of nausea hit, sending her scrambling to the bathroom again. This time, there was nothing left to throw up, leaving her dry heaving painfully over the toilet.


    Roman appeared in the doorway, his expression now openly worried. “That’s it. I’m calling Dr. Meyers<b>.” </b>


    “It’s probably just a bug,” ir protested weakly.


    “Humor me,” Roman said, already dialing.


    After a brief conversation with his doctor, Roman hung up, looking slightly calmer. “He says it could be a virus, but he wants to see you tomorrow morning. Until then, clear liquids, rest, and call him if your symptoms worsen.”


    ir nodded<i>, </i>too tired to argue. She brushed her teeth and allowed Roman to help her back to bed, grateful for his steady


    presence.


    As she sipped the ginger ale he brought her, ir watched Roman move around the bedroom, removing his tie and changing into morefortable clothes. She loved these quiet domestic moments… the simple rhythm of life together.


    “So what was your news?” she asked again.


    Roman sat on the edge of the bed, taking her hand. “I found out who leaked that story about Peter’s arrest and how ir and her sisters had wrestled control from their uncle.”


    ir groaned. A week after their wedding, a sensationalized version of the events surrounding Peter’s arrest had appeared in a gossip magazine. While most of the details were wrong<i>, </i>it had caused a stir and led to several unwee paparazzi


    encounters.


    “Who was it?” she asked.


    “Jessica,” Roman said, his jaw tightening. “She sold the story for fifty thousand dors<b>.” </b>


    “Of course she did,” ir sighed. “What happens now?”


    “Nothing,” Roman replied, surprising her. “The story’s already out there, and taking legal action would just drag it all back into the spotlight. Besides, the article made you look like a hero–outwitting a murderer, reuniting with your true love. If


    anything, it’s boosted your public image. I don’t think it came out the way she hoped.”


    irughed weakly. “My public image. God, that’s weird to think about.”


    Roman smiled, stroking her hair. “Get used to it, Mrs. Kingston. You’re a power yer now.”


    Despite her nausea, ir felt a rush of pride. She hade so far from the uncertain woman who had walked in on her fiancé cheating just a few months ago. Now she was CEO of her family’spany, married to the man she loved, building the life she wanted.


    “What are you thinking about?” Roman asked, noticing her pensive expression.


    “Just… how much has changed? How lucky I am, despite everything.”


    Roman pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m the lucky one.”


    They spent the evening quietly, Roman working on hisptop beside her in bed while ir drifted in and out of sleep. When she woke the next morning, the nausea hit her immediately, sending her rushing to the bathroom once more.


    Roman was right behind her, holding her hair back as she retched. “That’s it,” he said firmly. “We’re seeing Dr. Meyers first thing.”


    Too miserable to argue, ir nodded.


    Dr. Meyers‘ office was mercifully quiet when they arrived an hourter. The doctor, a kind man in his fifties who had been the Kingston family physician for years, examined ir thoroughly before sitting back with a thoughtful expression.


    “Well, Mrs. Kingston, your symptoms could certainly be a virus, but there’s another possibility we should consider,” he said. carefully. “When was yourst menstrual period?”


    ir blinked, caught off guard by the question. She tried to remember, then frowned. “I… I’m not sure. Things have been so hectic with the wedding and work. Maybe… six weeks ago? No, longer.”


    Dr. Meyers nodded. “I’d like to run a simple test, if you don’t mind.”


    Twenty minutester, ir sat in stunned silence as Dr. Meyers confirmed what she now realized should have been obvious: she was pregnant.


    “Based on your symptoms and timing, I’d estimate you’re about eleven to twelve weeks along,” he said, smiling warmly. “Congrattions to you both.”


    Roman’s expression was a mixture of shock and joy, his hand gripping ir’s tightly. “A baby,” he whispered. “We’re having a baby.”


    The reality of it washed over ir in waves. A baby. Their baby. Growing inside her right now.


    “I… we…. this is…” she stammered, unable to form coherent thoughts.


    Dr. Meyers chuckled. “It’s a lot to take in. I’ll give you two a moment.” He stepped out of the examination room, leaving them alone.


    Roman knelt in front of her, his hands cradling her face. “ir? Talk to me. How are you feeling about this?”


    “Stunned,” she admitted. “But… happy. So happy.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Are you okay with this? It’s happening sooner than we nned.”


    Roman’sugh was joyous. “Okay with it? ir, I’m ecstatic. You’re carrying our child. There’s nothing in this world that could make me happier. It’s not like we have been careful.”


    (28)


    The certainty in his voice dispelled any lingering doubts. ir threw her arms around his neck,ughing through her tears. “We’re having a baby,” she whispered against his neck.


    “We’re having a baby,” he repeated, his voice thick with emotion.


    Dr. Meyers returned with prenatal vitamins and information pamphlets, scheduling ir for an ultrasound the following week. As they left the clinic, Roman couldn’t stop smiling, his hand protectively at the small of her back.


    “I can’t believe we didn’t realize sooner,” ir said <b>as </b>they settled into the car. “All the signs were there.”


    “We’ve been a little busy,” Roman reminded her, his hand finding hers. “A lot has happened in thest three months.” Peter Warner’s trial had startedst week.


    irughed. “True enough.”


    Roman’s expression grew more serious. “How do you want to handle this with work?,”


    ir considered this. “I want to keep working as long as <b>I </b>can. We’ll figure out a bnce.” She smiled. “Between the two of us, I think we can manage a baby and twopanies.”


    Roman agreed, lifting her hand to his lips. “You’re the most capable woman I’ve ever known.”


    ir couldn’t stop her hand from drifting to her still–t stomach. A baby. Their baby. The life they er <b>was </b>expanding in the most wonderful way.


    We should tell our families,” she said suddenly. “Especially Sutton–she’ll kill me if she finds out I kept this from her.”


    Roman chuckled. “Agreed. Dinner this weekend? We can invite everyone.”


    ir nodded, already imagining the reactions. Eleanor would be overjoyed to be a grandmother. Sutton and Keira would be thrilled to be aunts. James would probably break out his most expensive scotch, despite the fact that ir couldn’t drink it.


    Roman helped her from the car, his hand lingering on her waist. “I love you,” he said simply.


    P