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

hand moved toward my forehead, but I flinched away

that flashed across his

offered after

- he's absolutely brilliant, very discreet. No waiting

eyebrows drew together. "Carter? What are his

of his class." Christina's smile was knowing, intimate. "He handles most of the Upper East Side's more...

sent another wave of guilt through me. Here I was, carrying her desperately wanted great-grandchild,

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

for a long moment before

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

a pristine townhouse, its discrete brass

we entered felt like a brand, her

not to flinch as the doctor raised the thermometer, but

felt achingly familiar - a echo of genuine concern from a man who would soon

managing to take my temperature. "Not dangerous yet, but heading that way. I'd like to start an

out sharp, panicked. An IV meant blood

voice held a

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

Carter's eyes flickered between Sean and me, professional mask firmly in place. "There are other cooling methods we can try, though they're less efficient. Christina, would you mind helping my nurse set

casual gesture

The room felt like it was slowly spinning, though whether from fever or

carefully neutral, "would you

managed. "Whatever you think is best, as long