Chapter 10: I'm Pregnant??

Lucas drained the glass in one gulp. He lurched to his feet, an urgent need to leave clawing at him, but the room tilted violently. A wave of nausea washed over him, and he stumbled, his shoulder colliding with the edge of a table. The world swam before his eyes, a blurry, disorienting mess.

"Are you okay?" Sophia's voice, laced with seductive amusement, sliced through the fog in his brain.

He pressed his hands to his throbbing temples. "My head is spinning. What did you give me?"

Sophia's hand, moving in and upward caressing his shoulders and giving him kisses on the necks, pushed him down onto the edge of the bed. "Just relax."

His phone buzzed incessantly, a relentless reminder of Ava's persistent calls.

Sophia rolled her eyes, her lips twisting in annoyance. "Can't she take a hint?"

A predatory gleam flickered in her eyes. "Nothing can stop me now. Today, I'll get what I want."

The phone buzzed again, a persistent whine. Sophia stabbed the "reject" button, then silenced it altogether.

Ava's footsteps echoed in the vast hall of Antonio's mansion. She clutched her phone, her gaze fixed on the front doors.

Her eyes flickered from the meticulously arranged flowers to the clock ticking in the corner.

"Where is he?" she murmured, her voice tight with worry.

She dialed Lucas's number again, but the line was dead. A flicker of fear crossed her face. Just then an idea sparked in her head.

"Sophia.., let me see if I can reach Sophia." She dialed Sophia's number.

Sophia finally answered, after an agonizingly long wait.

" Hey Sophia," Ava's voice was a whisper, "is Lucas there? Please."

A sharp voice snapped back, "Do you have any idea what time it is? People are sleeping!"

"I'm sorry," Ava stammered, "I'm just worried about brother Lucas. He said he'd be home early..."

A muffled voice interrupted, "He's busy, sweetheart. He won't be back till tomorrow. Ouch! Lucas, stop it!" Sophia's voice was filled with laughter, punctuated by squeals.

She created the illusion of a romantic entanglement with Lucas to make her jealous.

Ava's finger jabbed the 'end call' button. A single tear escaped, tracing a hot path down her cheek as she murmured,

"Guess it's time." Her fingers fumbled with the strap of her bag.

She scanned the room, a final, lingering look before the door clicked shut behind her.

Lucas landed on Sophia's bed with a thud, the springs groaning in protest. Sophia loomed over him, her hand reaching for his belt buckle.

"Sophia, stop," he choked out, his voice thin.

"Please, Lucas," she pleaded, her voice thick with desperation. "Just touch me. Just once. I'm yours. Don't I mean anything to you? I have always tried to catch your attention but you never cared, I love you, I really do. You have never even noticed me, It's always Ava, that... that girl. I'm nothing to you."

He pushed her away, scrambling to his feet. His hand found his jacket, pulling it on roughly. "Leave me alone, Sophia."

"Lucas, please..." Her voice was a broken whisper.

He turned, his eyes hard. "Don't even try."

He jabbed a finger in her direction, eyes narrowed, and stalked out.

The engine roared to life, tires squealing as he peeled away.

"Ava!" His voice echoed through the empty house. A hollow silence greeted him. He tore through the rooms, flinging open closets, peering under beds but couldn't find her.

A glint of metal caught his eye on the side table. He snatched it up, the lid popping open.

Stacks of bills filled the box. It slipped from his numb fingers, scattering on the floor. He grabbed a slip of paper, that was attached to the box, his eyes scanning the words.

"Damn it," he hissed, kicking the table leg. He snatched his keys from the counter and bolted for the door.

*****

Ava perched on a stiff airport seat, the plastic cold against her legs. Around her, families clung to each other, tears mixing with hurried goodbyes. She watched a woman with silver hair settle into the seat beside her.

"Chicago, huh?" The woman's voice was warm, a contrast to the chill of the airport. "Pretty place."

Ava denied, a flicker of a smile touching her lips. "No."

"No? then where are you headed? She asked further.

"Nebraska." She answered, her eyes smiling trying to hide the pain she felt within.

"Oh, it's quite a nice city, been there a couple of times."

"So, where's the lucky guy waiting for you there?" The woman leaned closer, her eyes crinkling.

Ava's eyebrows furrowed. "Lucky guy?"

"Your boyfriend." The woman patted Ava's knee. "And traveling so far pregnant? Brave thing to do."

A blush crept up Ava's neck. "I... I don't have a boyfriend. And I'm not pregnant."

The woman chuckled, a low rumble in her chest. "Oh, honey. I'm a retired doctor. Believe me, I know the signs." She winked, her smile widening.

The tinny voice of the airport announcer declared their flight. The silver-haired woman stood, a small boy gripping her hand, and hurried towards the gate. Ava, a ripple of unease in her stomach, hoisted her bag and followed.

Just a few steps, and the world tilted. The overhead lights blurred into spinning halos. A wave of nausea washed over her, and then... nothing.

*****

A cool, sterile scent filled her nostrils. Ava blinked, disoriented, finding herself on a narrow bed. Her head throbbed. "Ugh..." she groaned, trying to sit up.

"Easy there," a soft voice said. A woman in a white coat stood beside her, her face etched with concern. "How are you feeling?"

Ava's hand flew to her forehead. "What happened? My flight!" Panic tightened her chest.

"You fainted, dear. You're not going anywhere today." The doctor's tone was gentle but firm. "It's not safe."

The doctor's gaze softened. "You're about two weeks pregnant, Ms. Smith. Congratulations."

"Two weeks? pregnant?" Ava's breath hitched. "But... how? What... what are you saying?"

"Traveling right now would be risky," the doctor continued, her tone firm. "It could jeopardize the pregnancy."

She slid a folded paper across the bed. "Here's your report."

Ava's fingers trembled as she reached for the paper, the thin sheet rustling in the silence.