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

toward my forehead, but I flinched

flashed across his

Christina offered after a moment of tense

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

together. "Carter?

of the Upper East Side's more... delicate situations. Elizabeth's heart specialist actually

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

would have made me laugh if I weren't so focused on not throwing up in a car worth more than most people's

a long moment

of plans. Dr. Carter's

a pristine townhouse, its discrete brass plaque the

we entered felt like a brand, her solicitous attention more

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

back, steadying me. The gesture felt achingly familiar - a echo of genuine concern from a man who would

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

meant blood work. Blood work meant pregnancy hormones.

a warning. "Don't be

weak I sounded. "Just... whatever you can prescribe

place. "There are other cooling methods we can try, though

a casual gesture

eyes, not wanting to see Sean's response. The room felt like it was slowly spinning, though whether from fever or

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

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