Chapter 12 Baby Appointment
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Layla sat on the cold edge of the examination table, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her cardigan. The sterile scent of the clinic clung to the air. Her heart thudded against her ribs, faster with each second.
This was it.
The first official check-up.
Jasper paced the floor near the window, pretending to be on his phone, but his eyes kept flicking to her — sharp, observant, and… worried?
He looked better than any fake husband should at a doctor's appointment — black coat thrown over a grey sweater, sleeves slightly rolled up, jaw tense.
"Stop pacing. You're making me more anxious," Layla finally said.
Jasper halted mid-step. “Sorry. I just… want to make sure everything’s fine.”
Her gaze softened. “Me too.”
The door opened and a cheerful OB-GYN entered. “Hello, Layla. Mr. Tate.”
Jasper gave her a polite nod, but stayed close to Layla’s side. His hand rested protectively on her lower back.
“Let’s take a look,” the doctor smiled. “You’re about ten weeks along, correct?”
Layla nodded.
The room quieted as the machine turned on, and a grainy image filled the monitor.
Then…
The soft rhythmic sound of a heartbeat.
Layla’s breath caught.
Jasper froze.
The world shrunk down to that sound — thump-thump, thump-thump — small and fast, full of life.
“There’s your baby,” the doctor smiled.
Layla’s eyes filled with tears. “I… I can’t believe it.”
Without thinking, she reached out — and Jasper’s hand caught hers instantly.
They didn’t say a word.
They didn’t need to.
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Back in the car, Layla was quiet. Jasper could sense she wasn’t ready to go back to the mansion just yet.
“Where to?” he asked gently.
Layla glanced at him. “Would you mind… if we visited my sister?”
Jasper blinked. “Of course not.”
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The hospital was quiet when they arrived. Layla held a small bag of her sister’s favorite things: a soft blanket, a notebook, a scented lip balm. Jasper carried a bouquet — not too flashy, but still bright and beautiful.
In the room, her sister's frail figure looked even smaller in the hospital bed, but her smile was big the moment she saw Layla.
“Hey you,” Layla whispered, hugging her carefully. “I missed you.”
“I missed you more,” her sister replied softly, her eyes lighting up when she saw Jasper. “And this must be…?”
“Jasper,” he said kindly, stepping forward. “It’s really nice to meet you.”
Her sister smiled wider. “You’re even better looking in person.”
Layla blushed.
They spent an hour talking, laughing, and giving her sister updates. Jasper was surprisingly gentle, asking about her favorite music and teasing Layla about her cooking skills.
Before they left, her sister looked at them both and said, “You make a good team.”
Layla didn’t know what to say — because deep down, she was starting to believe it too.
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On the way out, Jasper slid his hand into hers, quietly.
Layla didn’t pull away.
Because for once, pretending didn’t feel so fake anymore.
---
But just as the moment settled, Layla’s phone buzzed.
A text from her best friend, Ayla.
> “Warning. Danika Monroe just landed in L.A. And she’s looking for you.”
Layla’s smile faded.
Jasper’s jaw clenched.
Because while they were falling for something that started as a lie…
The past was coming for them.