<b>Chapter </b><b>139 </b>
-CELINE POV
I pulled Caesar away from my arms, standing up straight. There was no point in hiding it anymore. <fn2528> For original chapters go to F?nd-Novel</fn2528>
Hunter would find out eventually….Dr. Martinez was on his payroll, and of course, she would report every detail to him.
“I’m ready,” I said, my voice loud but surprisingly calm.
Dr. Martinez pulled her phone away from her ear for a brief moment, speaking to whoever was on the line, assuring them not to worry.
She slipped the phone into her jacket pocket and walked toward me.
I grabbed Caesar’s hand tightly, as if holding him could somehow make everything better. What had I been thinking? Why was I so sure! could keep this from Hunter?
“Miss Brown, please take your seat. I don’t want to stress you… It might not be good for you,” Dr. Martinez said in her professional tone.
I did as was told, settling onto the couch. Caesar wasted no time sitting beside me, his small hand still wrapped tightly in mine.
We watched Dr. Martinez work with practiced efficiency.
She asked a few routine questions before preparing to take a blood sample. I winced as the cold needle pierced my skin, the sharp pinch
making me tense.
Caesar began to cry beside me.
He had never been a fan of needles–I remembered the countless battles we had fought every time he needed shots when he was sick.
Despite my own anxiety, Iughed softly.
“It doesn’t hurt, Caesar,” I said in a calm voice, trying to reassure him. “See? It’s all over. Mama is fine.” I waved my other hand where the needle had pierced, showing him the tiny bandage.
He wiped his tears with his free hand, and I smiled at his bravery.
Dr. Martinez praised him for being such a strong boy, telling him that big boys don’t cry. Caesar nodded solemnly, dering that he was
indeed a big boy.
I watched as Dr. Martinez carefully packed her tools back into the medical bag she’d brought.
I supposed she had everything she needed now.
Dr. Martinez looked at me with those knowing eyes, and I felt thest of my defenses crumble.
“You are going to tell him, aren’t you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She closed her medical bag with a soft click. Mrs. Brown, I’m required to report my findings to the person who requested the examination.”
My heart stopped. “Please. You don’t understand what this means.”
“I understand more than you think,” she said quietly, ncing at Caesar who was now ying with a throw pillow on the couch. “But I also understand that denial won’t change what’s happening in your body.”
I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling more vulnerable than had in years. “How long do I have?<b>” </b>
“I’ll need to run the blood work to confirm, but based on your symptoms and my examination…” She paused, studying my face.
“Mrs. Brown, when was yourst period?”
The question hit me like a physical blow.
I tried to remember, tried to count back through the chaos of the past few weeks. “I… I don’t know. Everything’s been so stressful, I haven’t been keeping track.”
“That’s understandable. Stress can affect your cycle, but it can also mask other symptoms.” She pulled out her phone. “I’m going to call in these test results. You should have confirmation within the hour.”
“An hour?” Panic wed at my throat. “That’s all I have?”
Dr. Martinez’s face softened. “Mrs. Brown, may I ask you something? Are you afraid of Mr. Reid?”
The question hung in the air between us. Caesar looked up from his pillow, those innocent blue eyes watching our conversation with confusion.
“I’m afraid of what he’ll do,” I admitted. “I’m afraid of what this means for my son.”
“And for yourself?”
I couldn’t answer that.
The truth was tooplicated, too painful. I was afraid of Hunter, yes, but I was also afraid of how much I still loved him despite everything.
I was afraid of the hope that would bloom in my chest when he found out about the baby, and I was afraid of howpletely he would own me then.
“Mama,” Caesar said softly, “why are you crying?”
I hadn’t realized tears were falling. I wiped them away quickly, kneeling beside him. “I’m just tired, baby.”
“Is Papaing to see us today?”
The innocent question shattered what was left of myposure. “I don’t know, sweetheart.”
Dr. Martinez was speaking quietly into her phone, and I caught fragments: “…positive indicators… need immediate consultation… yes, sir, I understand the urgency…”
My blood turned to ice. She was talking to Hunter. Right now. While I sat here with his son <i>on </i>myp and his unborn child growing inside me.
She hung up and turned back to me. “Mrs. Brown….”
“You told him.” It wasn’t a question.
“I told him I needed to discuss my findings with him privately. He’s on his way.”
The world staggered. “He’sing here? Now?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, but given the circumstances….”
“What circumstances?” I stood up so quickly that Caesar tumbled off myp. “What exactly did you tell him?”
69
“That your condition requires immediate attention and ongoing care.”
Telt like I was drowning. “You might as well have told him outright.”
“Mrs. Brown, if you are pregnant, that baby needs medical care. Regardless of your… situation with Mr. Reid.”
“My situation?”ughed bitterly. “Is that what we’re calling kidnapping now?”
Caesar’s face crumpled. “Mama, you’re scaring me.”
I pulled him into my arms, holding him tight. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.”
The sound of the elevator opening made my heart stop. Heavy footsteps in the hallway. A key turns in the lock.
Hunter walked in like he owned the ce–which, of course, he did. He owned everything, including me.
His eyes swept the room, taking in Dr. Martinez’s presence, my tear–stained face, and Caesar clinging to me like a lifeline.
“Well?” he said, his voice cold and controlled. “What’s the verdict?”
Dr. Martinez cleared her throat. “Mr. Reid, I think it would be best if we discussed this privately…..”
“No.” Hunter’s gaze locked on mine. “Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of Celine. She’s obviously already figured it out.”
The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken truths and broken promises.
“Papa!” Caesar broke free from my arms and ran to Hunter, who automatically lifted him. The sight of them together–so natural, so right- made my heart ache.
“Hey, buddy,” Hunter said, his voice gentling as he looked at his son. “Have you been taking care of your mom?”
“She’s been sad,” Caesar said seriously. “And the doctordy made her cry.”
Hunter’s eyes found mine again, and for a moment, I saw something that looked like regret flicker across his face.
“Dr. Martinez,” he said without looking away from me, “I believe you have something to tell me.”
“Mr. Reid, Mrs. Brown is pregnant.”
The words fell into the silence like stones into still water, creating ripples that would change everything.
Hunter’s face wentpletely nk. Caesar looked between us, confusion written all over his features.
“How far along?” Hunter asked, his voice carefully neutral.
“Based on my examination, approximately two weeks.”
Two weeks. The night we had been together at the mansion. The night I thought we were healing.
Hunter set Caesar down gently. “Caesar, why don’t you go y with your toys in the bedroom for a few minutes? The grown–ups need to
talk.”
“But Papa……”
“Go.” Themand was soft but firm, Caesar obeyed, casting worried nces over his shoulder.
44
<b>When </b>the hottram de closed, Hunter fuftine 15 that it ne
<b>The </b>question was liba sh “Ofesure it’s yours
“Forgive me if I don’t take your word for it. You’ve proven quite capable of deception.
wever lied to you about Caesar
No, you just let me believe he wasn’t my son for three years.”
We stared at each other across the room, the weight of our broken trust hanging between us like a wall.
“Congrattions,” Hunter said finally, his voice empty. “You’ve just given me another reason to never let you go”
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