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 said

I flinched away before he could

flashed across his face

a private clinic," Christina offered after a

absolutely brilliant, very discreet. No waiting rooms,

together. "Carter? What

handles most of the Upper East Side's

sent another wave of guilt through me. Here I was, carrying her desperately

on

for a long moment before

of plans. Dr. Carter's

pristine townhouse, its discrete brass plaque the only indication that it wasn't just another multi-million-dollar

like a brand, her solicitous

the thermometer, but my body betrayed me

of my back, steadying me. The gesture felt achingly familiar -

"Not dangerous yet, but heading that way. I'd like to start

came out sharp, panicked. An IV meant blood work.

a warning. "Don't

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

Sean and me, professional mask firmly in place. "There are other cooling methods we can try, though

arm as she passed – a casual gesture that spoke volumes

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

was carefully neutral, "would you

managed. "Whatever you think is best, as long as it