007: THERE'S A BUT?

I watched him leave, almost unable to believe what had just happened.

The door closed behind him.

For the first time since arriving at the mansion, I had managed to establish one small boundary.

It wasn't much.

But it was something.

"Are you comfortable now, Mrs Martello?" Dr. Pedro asked.

I nodded.

"Yes, Thank you."

"Good we will proceed at your pace. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, let us know."

The examination began shortly afterward.

Laura collected my blood samples while Sofia prepared the ultrasound machine. Dr. Pedro explained each step before proceeding, and although I felt uncomfortable, the medical staff remained professional.

They checked my hormone levels, examined my reproductive organs, and took several measurements.

The ultrasound showed no obvious complications.

However, Dr. Pedro explained that some additional laboratory tests would be needed before they could make a final decision.

"Your initial results are encouraging," he told me after the examination. "There are no obvious reproductive complications at this stage. However, we still need to review your bloodwork and complete a few additional tests."

I sat up, adjusting my dress.

"So, everything is fine?"

"Your initial assessment looks good. We cannot confirm that everything is ready until we receive the remaining results."

I nodded.

"When will the embryo transfer happen?"

"If the remaining results are satisfactory, we can begin preparing your body with the necessary medication. You will also need regular monitoring before the transfer."

I looked down at my hands.

There was something I had been thinking about since the moment Nikolai explained the arrangement.

"Doctor, can I ask you something?"

"Certainly."

"Will the baby be biologically mine?"

Dr. Pedro adjusted his glasses.

"That depends on what you mean by biologically."

I frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"The embryo was created using the genetic material of Don Martello and his late wife. You will carry the pregnancy, but the embryo does not contain your genetic material."

I stared at him.

"So, the baby won't have any of my genes?"

"That is correct. You will be the gestational carrier. The child will be genetically related to Don Martello and his late wife."

I slowly looked away.

I had known the child would be Nikolai's and his late wife's, but hearing the doctor explain it made everything feel different.

I was going to carry a baby for nine months.

I would feel it grow inside me. I would experience the sickness, the pain, the weight, and everything that came with pregnancy.

But genetically, the child would have nothing to do with me.

I would be carrying a child that belonged to two people I barely knew.

A strange sadness settled inside my chest.

I wondered what would happen when the baby was born.

Would I be allowed to hold it?

Would I be allowed to spend even a few minutes with it?

Or would someone simply take it away because the contract said I had no rights?

I shook my head, refusing to let those thoughts overwhelm me.

I had signed the agreement.

I knew what I was getting into.

Still, knowing something and actually experiencing it were two very different things.

Dr. Pedro handed me a folder.

"This contains information about the treatment, the medication, and the monitoring process, I recommend reading through it carefully. If you have any questions, you can bring them to me."

I accepted it.

"Thank you, Doctor."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Martello."

The assistants helped me gather my things, and a few minutes later, I stepped out of the examination room.

Nikolai was waiting in the corridor.

He stood with his hands in his pockets, looking impatient. The moment he saw me, he straightened.

"How long does an examination take?" he asked.

I frowned.

"You told the doctor to call you when he was finished."

"I was informed that you were done. I want the results."

Dr. Pedro stepped out behind me.

"Don Martello, the initial assessment is encouraging. There are no obvious reproductive complications, although we are still waiting for some laboratory results."

Nikolai's eyes moved toward me.

"Did they find anything?"

"The doctor just explained everything," I replied.

He ignored my tone and looked at the folder in my hands.

"What's that?"

"Information about the treatment."

Before I could say anything else, he reached for it.

I tightened my fingers around the folder.

"Can you ask before taking things from my hands?"

His eyes lifted to mine.

For a moment, I thought he would make another comment about following his rules.

Instead, he simply waited.

I reluctantly handed him the folder.

He opened it and began reading the first page. His eyes moved quickly over the information, but then his expression changed slightly.

His eyebrows drew together.

"What is this?"

Dr. Pedro glanced at the document.

"Those are the preliminary medical arrangements."

Nikolai turned another page.

I looked between them.

"What? Is something wrong?"

Neither man answered immediately.

Nikolai's jaw tightened as he continued reading.

Then Dr. Pedro stepped closer, lowering his voice slightly.

"There is something you should know about the medical arrangements," he said, looking between us. "But I believe Don Martello should hear this privately."

My stomach dropped.

Privately?

I looked at Nikolai.

His expression had become unreadable again.

"What medical arrangements?" I asked.

Dr. Pedro hesitated.

Nikolai slowly closed the folder.

"Rhea, go back to my suite."

I stared at him.

"No, Whatever it is, I want to hear it."

"That wasn't a request."

"No I'm not leaving"

His eyes narrowed.

"Rhea."

I folded my arms.

"If this concerns my body or the procedure, then I have a right to know."

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Then he turned toward Dr. Pedro.

"Explain."

The doctor took a slow breath.

"Very well, Don Martello. But there is one important detail we need to discuss before we proceed."