Chapter 26
Lucia
Where the hell did he learn to cook?
If he could cook that well, why had he left me to do all the cooking before? God, he was such a sly bastard.
I rubbed my belly, smacking my lips at the memory of that juicy chicken and those perfectly roasted vegetables.
Like hell was I sleeping in his bedroom. He could eat shit and die.
I groaned.
No, I didn't want him to die.
I wanted him to suffer.
?? ?? ??
After I gathered my belongings from his bedroom and washed up, I took real estate-style pictures of the spare bedroom and en-suite, then sent them to Nahla.
Me: I’m safe. Thank you for everything.
Nahla: OMG. Is that gold mirror in the bathroom real? That bedroom’s the size of one floor in my house. Are you secretly royalty?
I chuckled. This was why I’d sent her the pictures of the ostentatious rooms. Plus, I didn’t want her to worry about me.
Me: Yes. Next time you see me, you’ll need to curtsy.
Nahla: Haha. I don’t believe you. You’re one of us.
I smiled, but it was a rueful kind of smile. I didn’t belong here.
Nahla: I’m glad you’re safe. Call me or Sana anytime. I haven’t told her you’ve left yet.
Me: Thank you. I’ll drop her an update.
I slipped into my warm flannel pyjamas and climbed into bed. I’d message Sana tomorrow. Tonight, I just needed sleep.
?? ?? ??
When morning came, I felt well-rested and fresh. I might have even been content—until I noticed the hard chest pressed against my back and the heavy paw resting on my stomach. When I tried to straighten my legs, I realised he’d wedged his beneath mine.
With a growl, I tried to pry his hand away, but he just curled it tighter around my belly.
“I need to pee right now,” I rasped. “And my bladder doesn’t care if it’s on you.”
“Oh, shit,” he groaned, sitting up quickly before helping me.
The urge spiked so hard I winced.
“Do you need me to carry you?” he asked, scratching the back of his head.
I almost snapped at him until I realised he was being serious.
“Just help me off the bed,” I muttered.
?? ?? ??
“Why haven’t you had any check-ups?” the midwife asked with a frown.
Fuck Laurent for springing this appointment on me.
No, I needed to know if the baby was okay.
But fuck him anyway. It was his fault I’d avoided doctors and hospitals in the first place.
“We’ve been out of the country,” Laurent lied smoothly. “I’m sure they’ll send the files soon.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll check with the sonographer, see if he can squeeze you in. You may need to wait a little,” she said with a smile, patting my hand.
She changed her tune pretty fast. Then again, he’d brought me to a private clinic.
I refused to be grateful to him.
That didn’t work either—not when I saw our healthy little girl.
I howled like a baby.
?? ?? ??
Garrett stood smiling, holding the door open.
“I’m having a little girl,” I practically squealed at him.
His eyes softened, and his smile widened.
“Congratulations,” he murmured, bending down to kiss both my cheeks before helping me into the car.
“I’m having a little girl too,” Laurent said, stepping closer as if to kiss his cheek—but Garrett stumbled back, horrified.
Laurent chuckled and climbed into the car. I side-eyed him as he settled into his seat, his eyes bright with excitement.
He’d handed me tissues to wipe my tears, then taken advantage of the sonographer’s presence to pull me into an embrace.
But he was happy—genuinely happy.
I’d thought he’d want a son, an heir to his empire.
I glanced out the window as the car began to move.
A daughter.
I’d raise her to be a strong young woman.
My thoughts drifted to Sana, and I fired her a quick text before leaning back. Then Evelyn and Allison came to mind. I’d have to make amends with them at some point—probably best to do it while I was still pregnant, in case one or both of them got volatile.
“Do you feel up to celebrating?” he asked, tapping the armrest between us.
“Celebrate?”
“Go out for lunch. A walk in the park.”
It was a nice day for it, but it felt too normal for us—not after everything he’d done.
I shook my head.
“Why don’t you donate that expensive meal cost to a women’s refuge centre instead?”
Garrett choked and started coughing.
Laurent’s face fell.
I turned back to the window.