34

                                    

                                          
 
Emilia
I settled onto the examination bed, lifting my shirt just below my chest for the ultrasound. The unfamiliar doctor smiled reassuringly. "This might feel a bit cold," he warned as he applied the gel to my abdomen.
As he moved the transducer, an image flickered to life on the screen. "There," he said, pointing. "That's your baby, and that's the heartbeat."
I turned away, unable to look. "I'd rather not see it, please," I whispered. "Just tell me if it's healthy."
The doctor's voice softened with understanding. "Of course. Everything looks great. The baby is perfectly healthy."
"Are we done?" I asked, still averting my gaze.
"Yes, we're finished," he confirmed.
As I cleaned up and adjusted my clothing, the doctor continued, "I understand you're experiencing nausea and morning sickness. I'll prescribe some vitamin B6 to help moderate those symptoms."
I nodded absently, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the exam room. "Will that be all?"
"Yes, that's everything," he said with a gentle smile.
I managed a weak "Thanks" before hurrying out to the waiting car, where guards stood ready to escort me back to the safe house.
Once inside the vehicle, I leaned back against the seat, staring out at the grey skies as silent tears began to streak down my cheeks. Soft raindrops splattered against the windows, mirroring my internal turmoil. I covered my mouth, struggling to contain the wave of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.
Back at the safe house, I rushed past Suzan, ignoring her concerned inquiries as I fled to my room. Locking the door behind me, I collapsed onto the bed, finally allowing myself to break down completely before exhaustion pulled me into a fitful sleep.
Hours later, I awoke to a cool, dark room. Disoriented at first, I slowly remembered where I was. A gnawing hunger drew me from the bed and down to the kitchen.
The soft glow of the refrigerator light illuminated Damien's silhouette as he rummaged through its contents. I gently touched his shoulder, causing him to spin around with a startled curse.
"Jeez, Emilia, you scared me," he breathed, his unseeing eyes wide.
"Sorry," I murmured. "Couldn't sleep either, huh?"
He nodded ruefully. "Midnight snacking."
"What are you in the mood for?" I asked, moving to help.
"Ice cream," he admitted with a sheepish grin.
I couldn't help but chuckle. "I wouldn't have pegged you for a ice cream fella. What's your flavor?"
"Vanilla," he replied simply.
"Mine too," I said softly, a small smile tugging at my lips as I scooped the creamy dessert into bowls.
We settled into the living room, a comfortable silence falling between us as we enjoyed our impromptu treat. Eventually, I couldn't contain my curiosity any longer.
"Damien, about your father—" I began cautiously.
"I don't want to talk about him, Emilia," he cut me off, his tone sharp.
I backpedaled quickly. "Okay, I understand." Despite the questions burning inside me, I knew I had to respect his boundaries.
After a pause, Damien changed the subject. "I heard you had a doctor's appointment today. How did it go?"
"Fine," I mumbled. "The baby's healthy, I think."
"About the sex?"
"I don't know that either."
His brow furrowed. "Didn't you see the scan?"
"No," I admitted quietly.
"Why not?"
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I can't allow myself to form any attachment to this child, Damien. It'll only make things harder when I leave."
He fell silent for a moment, processing my words. "You're leaving?" he asked, his voice tinged with an emotion I couldn't quite identify.
I let out a humorless chuckle. "That's kind of the point of being a surrogate, Damien."
"When?" he whispered.
"After the delivery," I explained. "Weren't you briefed on the contract?"
He shook his head slightly. "No... I never bothered to look into the details."
An uncomfortable silence settled between us. I cleared my throat, attempting to lighten the mood. "Hey, you should be thrilled. I'll finally be out of your hair for good. No need to pretend like you'll miss me or anything."
To my surprise, Damien's expression hardened. "Good, because you won't be going anywhere," he stated firmly.
I blinked in confusion. "What are you talking about? It's already decided and signed."
"Every child needs a mother, Emilia," he said, his voice taking on a pleading quality. "I can't possibly take care of it, I can't even see it, and my mother... well, she'd probably terrify the poor kid to death. It needs you here."
"It?"
He sighed, "The baby."
"Your baby."
"Whatever, the baby is going to need you here." As he pleaded, Mrs. Grey's earlier warning echoed in my mind: "Just stick to the reason I hired you, Miss Clark, and don't get distracted."
I couldn't possibly defy her even if I wanted to, this was a woman who I couldn't afford to anger, a woman who could destroy my entire family with just one phone call.
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