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

but I flinched away before

across his

offered

he's absolutely brilliant, very

drew together. "Carter? What are

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

guilt through me. Here I was, carrying

so focused on not throwing up

a long moment

Peter, change of plans. Dr. Carter's clinic

townhouse, its discrete brass plaque the only indication that it wasn't just

we entered felt like

not to flinch as the doctor raised the thermometer, but my body

hand 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. I'd like to start an IV

An IV meant blood work. Blood work

held a warning. "Don't

insisted, hating how weak I sounded. "Just... whatever

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

Sean's arm as she passed – a casual gesture that

response. The room felt like

voice was carefully neutral, "would you prefer to discuss your treatment

won't be necessary," I managed. "Whatever you think is best, as long as it doesn't