A Baby Boy
The doctor's office was quiet and softly lit, the ultrasound machine humming gently in the background.
Emery lay on the examination table, her blouse lifted to expose her twenty-week bump: now a clear, rounded curve that she instinctively cradled with one hand.
Jesse sat beside her, his chair pulled close, one arm resting lightly on the back of the table in silent support.
The doctor moved the wand slowly over her abdomen, spreading the cool gel. The black-and-white image appeared on the screen, and the rapid, strong heartbeat filled the room with its steady rhythm.
"Everything looks excellent," the doctor said with a warm smile.
"The baby is measuring right on track for twenty weeks.
Heart rate is strong, one hundred and forty-five beats per minute.
All major organs are developing beautifully.
The spine is straight, limbs are proportionate, and the placenta is in a good position.
No concerns at all. You're doing wonderfully, Mrs. Prescott. "
Emery let out a soft breath of relief, her stormy eyes fixed on the flickering image of the tiny form on the screen. A small, genuine smile touched her lips as she watched the baby move.
Jesse leaned forward slightly, completely transfixed. His eyes softened with awe and quiet longing. He didn't reach out, but his hand tightened on the edge of the table, knuckles white with restrained emotion.
The doctor continued, pointing with the cursor. "Here's the head. Perfect profile. The hands are moving nicely. And look... the little feet are kicking. Active and healthy."
After a few more moments of scanning, the doctor wiped the gel away and printed a few images for them.
"Any questions?" she asked kindly.
Emery glanced at Jesse, then asked softly, "When can we know the gender?"
The doctor smiled. "At twenty weeks, we can often determine the gender with reasonable accuracy during the anatomy scan, though it depends on the baby's position.
Sometimes it's clear, sometimes we need to wait a bit longer for a better view.
If you'd like, we can try today, or we can schedule a follow-up in a week or two for confirmation.
Many parents choose to wait until the twenty-week anatomy scan for the most reliable result. "
Jesse nodded, voice low. "We can try today if it's possible."
The doctor adjusted the wand again, searching for the right angle. After a few seconds, she smiled.
"Well, it looks like we have a clear view today. Would you like to know?"
Emery and Jesse exchanged a quick glance. Emery nodded.
The doctor pointed at the screen. "It's a boy."
Emery's breath caught. A soft, emotional smile spread across her face as she stared at the image. "A boy..."
Jesse's eyes glistened. He didn't speak, but the look on his face: pure, overwhelming love mixed with aching regret said everything.
He wanted to reach out, to place his hand on her bump, to feel the life they had created together.
Instead, he stayed still, respecting the fragile space between them.
The doctor printed more images and handed them over. "Congratulations. Everything looks perfect. Keep up with your prenatals, stay hydrated, and rest when you need to. We'll see you for the next check-up in four weeks."
As they left the examination room and walked down the quiet corridor, Jesse stayed close but didn't touch her. His voice was soft when he finally spoke.
"A boy," he murmured, almost to himself. "He's going to be so loved."
Emery nodded, clutching the ultrasound pictures to her chest. "Yeah... he is."
They walked side by side toward the exit, the weight of the news settling over them: beautiful, terrifying, and full of unspoken longing.
For now, it was enough to simply walk together, carrying the secret of their son between them.
×××××××
The hospital garden was peaceful in the late afternoon, sunlight filtering through the trees onto the winding paths and wooden benches. Jesse had insisted Emery sit down on a bench near the small fountain while he went to get her fresh water from the café.
She had already finished the bottle they brought from home, and the walk from the doctor's room had left her a little thirsty and tired.
Emery sat quietly, her hand resting on her bump, watching the scene around her.
Children played on the small grassy area, laughing and chasing each other.
Elderly patients strolled slowly along the paths with their families, some in wheelchairs, others with walkers.
The gentle sound of the fountain provided a soothing backdrop.
A shadow fell over her.
Camilla stood there, arms crossed, her face twisted with barely contained rage.
Emery's stomach dropped. She instinctively straightened, one hand protectively moving over her bump.
"Camilla," she said quietly, trying to keep her voice steady. "What are you doing here?"
Camilla's lips curled into a cruel smile. "I came to see my friend. But then I saw you sitting here like you own the place. Like you belong anywhere near this family."
She stepped closer, voice dropping to a venomous whisper.
"You think you've won, don't you? You stole my wedding.
You stole my future. You stole my father's love.
And now you're carrying a child that should have been mine to raise in that house.
You're nothing but a parasite, Emery. A cheap, pathetic replacement who wormed her way in and took everything that was supposed to be mine. "
Emery's heart raced, but she lifted her chin, refusing to shrink. "I didn't steal anything from you, Camilla. You ran away. You left me to clean up your mess. I never asked for any of this."
Camilla laughed bitterly, stepping even closer.
"You didn't ask? Please. You saw your chance and you took it.
You played the innocent orphan so well that my own father gave you half his property.
You're carrying a child that might not even be Alexander's, and you're still pretending to be the victim. You disgust me."
She suddenly grabbed Emery's arm roughly, fingers digging into her skin hard enough to bruise. Emery cried out in pain, trying to pull away.
"You think you can just live happily ever after?" Camilla hissed, her face inches away. "I will destroy you. I will make sure everyone knows what a lying, manipulative whore you are. I will take back what's mine and I will leave you with nothing. Do you hear me? Nothing!"
Emery winced, tears pricking at her eyes from the pain in her arm. "Let go of me, Camilla!"
At that exact moment, Jesse appeared, two bottles of water in his hands. His eyes widened with fury when he saw Camilla gripping Emery's arm.
He dropped the bottles and shoved Camilla away with one firm push, stepping protectively in front of Emery.
"Get your hands off her!" he snarled, voice low and dangerous.
Camilla stumbled back, shocked, then quickly recovered with a venomous glare.
"Oh, look who's here to defend his precious little sister-in-law.
How touching. You think you can protect her?
I will destroy her. I will make sure she loses everything.
.. the marriage, the baby, the respect she thinks she's earned.
She doesn't belong in Prescott family. She never did. "
Jesse's eyes blazed. He didn't raise his voice, but every word was ice-cold and final.
"Leave. Now. Or I call the police. You have no right to touch her. You have no right to threaten her. Get out of here before I make sure you never come near any of us again."
Camilla stared at him, breathing hard, her face flushed with rage. She opened her mouth to argue, but the cold fury in Jesse's eyes made her think better of it.
She straightened her dress with a huff, shooting Emery one last hateful look.
"This isn't over," she spat.
Then she turned and stormed away, heels clicking sharply on the path.
Jesse immediately turned to Emery, his expression softening with concern. He gently took her arm, checking where Camilla had grabbed her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, voice low and worried. "Did she hurt you?"
Emery nodded, breathing shakily, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I'm fine. It just... startled me."
Jesse stayed close, his hand hovering protectively near her without touching her again. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone."
Emery shook her head, wiping her tears. "It's not your fault."
They stood there for a moment, the peaceful garden now feeling tainted by Camilla's venom.
Jesse picked up the dropped water bottles and handed one to her. "Let's go home."
Emery took the bottle, her hand still trembling slightly.
The walk back to the car was quiet, but Jesse stayed close, his presence a silent shield.
Camilla's threat hung in the air like smoke.
But for now, they were safe.
And that was enough.
×××××××
The kitchen was quiet in the late afternoon, sunlight slanting through the large windows and warming the marble counters.
Emery stood at the island, carefully stirring a pot of soup for dinner.
Rebecca entered the kitchen, her heels clicking sharply on the floor. She stopped a few steps away, arms crossed, her expression cool and commanding.
"Emery."
Emery turned off the stove and faced her, wiping her hands on a towel. "Yes, Mrs. Prescott?"
Rebecca's voice was brisk, leaving no room for argument. "Be ready tonight. There's a company function. A networking dinner for the board and key partners. Alexander won't be attending himself, so you will go in his place. You have to represent him as his wife."
Emery's eyes widened slightly, but she kept her voice steady. "Tonight? I... I didn't know."
"You know now," Rebecca said flatly. "Put on a proper dress. Something elegant. The same confidence you showed at the previous event. Smile, speak politely, and don't embarrass the family. You're Mrs. Alexander Prescott now. Act like it."
Emery nodded slowly, lowering her gaze. "Alright. I'll be ready."
Rebecca studied her for a moment longer, then gave a curt nod. "Good. The car will be waiting at seven. Don't be late."
With that, Rebecca turned and left the kitchen, her heels clicking away down the hallway.
Emery stood alone at the counter, one hand resting on her bump. She let out a slow, shaky breath.
Another night of pretending.
Another night of being "Mrs. Alexander Prescott" while her heart belonged somewhere else.
She turned back to the soup, stirring it absently, the weight of the evening already pressing down on her.
But she would do it.
She always did.
×××××××