Chapter 12

The sterile smell of disinfectant and the hum of soft chatter in the hospital corridor were beginning to feel unnervingly familiar.

I shifted slightly on the edge of the examination table, my legs swinging absently. The doctor, a middle-aged man with kind eyes and a clipboard in hand, had just finished his checkup, and I was bracing myself for whatever he was about to say.

“Well, Ms. Bennett,” he began, sliding his pen back into the pocket of his coat. “Your dizziness and fatigue are common during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. But it’s important that you take better care of yourself.”

I nodded, gripping the strap of my bag tightly. “I’ve been trying,” I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended. “But… it’s been hard.”

He offered me a small, reassuring smile. “I understand. But you’ll need to prioritize your health for your sake and the baby’s.

I’ll prescribe some vitamins and suggest smaller, more frequent meals. And plenty of rest. Anytime you feel unwell, even if it seems minor, don’t hesitate to come in. It’s always better to be cautious.”

“Thank you, doctor,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

He jotted something down on his notepad, then paused, looking up at me with a kind but hesitant expression. “If you don’t mind me asking, does your husband help with the stress? Having a support system makes a big difference.”

The question hit me like a slap, making me stiffen slightly. I forced myself to breathe, to answer without hesitation. “I’m not married,” I said quickly.

His face shifted, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his features. “Oh. I see. My apologies, I didn’t mean to assume.”

“It’s fine,” I replied, forcing a small, polite smile even though the question had stirred something uncomfortable inside me.

He nodded, but his gaze softened further. “What about the baby’s father?” he asked carefully. “Is he involved?”

The weight of the question settled in the air between us. I hesitated, my fingers tightening on the strap of my bag as my thoughts swirled. I didn’t want to explain Drew not here, not now. How could I? Finally, I forced the words out, keeping my voice steady even though my chest felt tight.

“He’s not in the picture,” I said quietly.

The doctor’s expression grew even gentler, and he nodded again. “I’m sorry if I overstepped. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“It’s alright,” I replied quickly, standing and smoothing my dress. “Really, it’s fine.”

He handed me the prescription. “Take care of yourself, Ms. Bennett. And remember, if you need advice or just someone to talk to, my door is always open.”

I managed another polite nod before leaving the room, my heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. As I walked down the hallway toward the exit, my mind churned with the weight of the conversation. His questions had stirred emotions I wasn’t ready to face, memories and fears I had been carefully tucking away.

I pushed open the hospital’s main doors, shielding my eyes against the brightness of the afternoon sun. I barely had time to take a step outside when a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Lila?”

My heart lurched at the sound of his voice. I turned slowly, and there he was, Max leaning casually against the glass doors. His hands were stuffed into his jeans pockets, but his eyes were locked on me, his expression a mix of surprise and concern.

“Max,” I breathed, my voice catching slightly. “What are you doing here?”

He pushed off the door and closed the distance between us, his concern evident. “I could ask you the same thing. Are you okay?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but my brain faltered. The folder in my hand suddenly felt too heavy, the air too thick. “I… I’m fine,” I managed, forcing a weak smile. “What about you?”

Max didn’t look convinced, his eyes scanning my face carefully. “I’m here to see a friend. He was in a car accident last night. Nothing too serious, but I wanted to check in on him.”

“Oh,” I said softly, genuinely concerned. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is he okay?”

“He’s doing alright,” Max replied with a small shrug, his gaze never leaving mine. “But enough about that. What about you? Why are you here? You look pale, Lila.”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, gripping the strap of my bag as if it could anchor me. “Just a routine checkup.”

“Routine?” he repeated, his brows furrowing in doubt. “Lila, come on. You’ve been looking exhausted lately, and now you’re at the hospital? What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing,” I insisted, shaking my head.

“Lila…” His voice softened as he took a step closer. “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

The sincerity in his tone and the worry in his eyes nearly undid me. I looked away, biting the inside of my cheek as my thoughts raced. Should I tell him? Could I tell him? The truth felt like a fragile, dangerous thing something that could change everything between us in an instant.

“I don’t know if you’d understand,” I murmured, my voice trembling.

Max stepped even closer, his gaze steady. “Try me. Whatever it is, you can trust me.”

I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding in my ears. Could I trust him? Max had always been kind, always been there when I needed him, but this… this was different. If I told him the truth, would he look at me differently? Would he pity me or worse, pull away entirely?

“I…” I started, then stopped, my throat tightening as my words failed me.

Max didn’t push, but his eyes searched mine, silently urging me to continue. The weight of his patience felt almost unbearable.

“Max,” I began again, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s not that simple. I am…..”

Before I could finish, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, muttering a soft curse. “It’s my secretary,” he said, his tone apologetic. “Probably about work. I need to take this.”

“Of course,” I said quickly, stepping back as relief and dread warred within me.

He hesitated, his gaze lingering on me. “This isn’t over,” he said firmly. “We’re going to talk.”

I nodded, watching as he answered the call and stepped away. But as I turned toward the parking lot, my chest felt heavier than ever.

This wasn’t over not by a long shot.

My stomach churned with a mix of fear and determination. I glanced back toward the hospital entrance, where Max stood, his back to me, deep in conversation.

This wasn’t how I had planned it. But maybe, just maybe, it was time to tell him the full truth.