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.

I said

moved toward my forehead, but I flinched

across his face was gone so

a private clinic," Christina offered after a

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

eyebrows drew together. "Carter? What are

of the Upper East Side's more... delicate

mention of Sean's grandmother sent another wave of guilt through me. Here I was, carrying her desperately wanted

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

studied me for a long moment before

change of plans. Dr.

floors of a pristine townhouse, its discrete brass plaque the only indication that it wasn't

hand on my elbow as we entered felt like a brand, her

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

appeared at the small of my back, steadying me. The gesture felt achingly familiar

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

meant blood work. Blood work meant pregnancy hormones.

a warning.

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

other cooling methods we can try, though they're less efficient. Christina, would

course." She squeezed Sean's arm as she passed – a casual gesture that spoke

see Sean's response. The room felt like

Dr. Carter's voice was carefully neutral, "would

necessary," I managed. "Whatever you think is best,