The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Last Shred of Dignity

Why had he been pretending to care about me? He was the one who'd made me stand in the rain yesterday!

Now, his concern just felt even more fake, even more disgusting.

Christina shifted beside me, her perfume making my stomach roll.

I couldn't go to the hospital.

If I had, my pregnancy would've been exposed.

It sounded silly, but I didn't want anyone to know about the baby-I needed to hold on to whatever little self-respect I had left.

Especially in front of Christina.

"That's not your business." I siad coldly and pressed my forehead against the cool window.

"Sean," Christina's voice was honey-sweet with concern, "maybe it's because of my presence? I could get out here, and you can take Angela to the hospital? Her condition seems serious, we shouldn't delay."

"Don't be ridiculous," Sean snapped, though his tone softened as he continued. "This isn't about you."

I caught Christina's perfectly practiced look of contrition in the window's reflection.

"Angela, I apologize if I've misunderstood. I thought you might be uncomfortable because of my relationship with Sean."Christina played the victim, acting hurt.

fine." I

I

flashed across his face was

know a private clinic," Christina offered

Carter - he's absolutely brilliant, very

drew together. "Carter? What

"He handles most of the Upper East Side's more... delicate situations. Elizabeth's heart specialist actually consulted with him

of guilt through me. Here I was, carrying her desperately wanted

would have made me laugh if I weren't so focused on not throwing up in a car

studied me for a long

change of plans. Dr.

discrete brass plaque

hand on my elbow as we entered felt like

to flinch as the doctor raised the thermometer, but my body betrayed me with an involuntary

appeared at the small of my back, steadying me. The gesture felt achingly familiar - a echo of genuine concern from a man who would soon be my

announced after finally managing to take my temperature. "Not dangerous yet, but heading that way.

The word came out sharp, panicked. An IV meant blood work. Blood work meant pregnancy hormones.

a warning. "Don't

I sounded. "Just... whatever

in place. "There are other cooling methods we can try, though they're less efficient. Christina, would you

arm as she passed – a casual gesture that spoke volumes about their comfort level with each

Sean's response. The room felt like it was slowly spinning, though whether

carefully neutral, "would you prefer to discuss your treatment options

I managed. "Whatever you think