9. ANOTHER LIFE

"Take me to Lancaster Headquarters first," I said calmly, staring out the window.

The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "I thought you wanted to go somewhere else, ma'am."

"I changed my mind. Not like you were willing to take me there... Just take me to Lancaster Headquarters first," I said. He nodded, finally turning the engine on and driving off.

I leaned against the seat, pressing my fingers against my lower stomach. The cramp was gone, but the discomfort of it still sat... My phone vibrated.

'Have you reviewed the documents, Miss?' Levi's message sat on the screen for two seconds at least before I picked up the phone. 'I will, once I'm free enough,' I typed back.

The car pulled up outside Lancaster Headquarters, and immediately, as I stared outside, my jaw dropped.

Several reporters were gathered outside, their mics pointed towards the gate. Immediately, the driver opened my side of the car door, and they all turned. "Miss Lancaster!"

I froze with one foot outside the car. "Is it true that you're filing for divorce from Alex White?" Why do I have to be the one suffering through this?

"Did Mr. White refuse to sign the papers?" Another reporter asked, his mic almost touching my lips...

"Are the Lancaster family and White Technologies involved in a financial dispute?" The questions kept coming as they moved closer, their cameras flashing...

I stepped out fully and straightened my jacket. "Miss Lancaster, are you getting divorced because of another woman?"

"Is your grandfather's decision to appoint you president connected to your separation?" The questions kept coming, and I kept walking.

You guys aren't spoiling my already rotten mood. Suddenly, a microphone almost brushed my cheek, but a hand stopped it before I could even tilt my head.

"Make way," Levi ordered, using his arm to clear a path through the crowd.

A reporter stepped in front of us. "Miss Lancaster, just one question. Does Alex White still have any claim over your shares?" Levi stopped.

I caught his sleeve quickly because hell knows his reply would only bring more questions. "Keep moving," I told him quietly.

He glanced at me with his jaw tight. We finally reached the entrance, and security hurried forward to hold the doors open. The moment I stepped in, the doors closed, and the noise behind me faded while I exhaled slowly.

"How did they find out about the filing?" I asked, not stopping my stride inside.

"We haven't confirmed that anyone has," Levi replied. "The divorce is already public gossip, and reporters are looking for any hint they can get their hands on," he said calmly beside me.

"Then find out who gave them the information." My voice came out rough, while he simply nodded. I started toward the elevators, but my stomach twisted, and I tasted the food I had eaten earlier right in my mouth. My steps faltered, and I gripped the edge of a nearby table.

Levi stopped, turned, and walked back to me. "Boss?"

I straightened before his hand could reach me. "Cancel my afternoon meetings, and don't ask which ones or why." I picked up my bag and headed toward the elevator. "I am going to the dentist."

He followed silently, not asking anything. I stepped onto the executive floor. Almost immediately, my phone vibrated, followed by another notification... until it had vibrated six times. I pulled it out.

Two missed calls from Catherine. Three messages from Kevin asking whether I would be attending an afternoon meeting, and one from my lawyer confirming that the divorce filing had been submitted.

I answered the lawyer first, then sent Kevin a brief message telling him to reschedule everything.

When I looked up, Levi was standing beside my desk. "Your afternoon is clear," he said. "I've also asked security to keep the reporters away from the private entrance."

"Good," I said, and he hesitated a bit before turning and walking away.

I watched him leave before reaching for my bag and pulling out the address I had given to the driver earlier.

Dr. Hollis's clinic was tucked away on a quiet street, far enough from the city center that I didn't have to worry about running into anyone I knew.

I smiled at the receptionist. "Hi, I am Valentina... I have an appointment with Dr. Hollis," I said, my voice so soft that it almost convinced me everything was all right.

She flipped through the pages of her book, then looked back up at me and back at the book before saying curtly, "Miss Valentina Sanchez... Dr. Hollis will see you shortly."

I sat in the corner with my head down, and seconds later, a nurse tapped me. I stood up quickly, my bones snapping in the process, and I smiled nervously at her.

She shook her head subtly and walked away. Dr. Hollis sat in her office, with glasses resting on her nose. I sat opposite her, quietly explaining my symptoms. "Have you experienced any bleeding?" she asked.

I shook my head, then said, "I've had cramps and some dizziness, but nothing that lasted very long."

She nodded and made a note. "We'll need to examine you and perform an ultrasound. Given the pain you've described, I want to make sure the pregnancy is progressing safely and establish that it's in the uterus," she said, and my fingers tightened around the chair.

Why am I worried about the baby? It's Alex's and probably has the betraying gene in him... But... I trailed off and stood up, following her.

I lay on the examination bed with my eyes closed for a few seconds, then slowly turned towards the monitor.

I stared at the screen, my forehead creasing as I desperately tried to make out the shapeless structures on the screen. "There's the pregnancy," the middle-aged woman said, pointing at a place on the screen that looked extremely black... Wait, is my baby black?

I stopped breathing for a second. Then she adjusted the image. She also held her breath, as if a tiny sound would block out what she wanted me to hear. Then it came... thump... thump! "Is that...?"

"That's the baby's heartbeat," Dr. Hollis said, and I covered my mouth, struggling to hold back a sob as tears rolled down my cheeks. Then I turned my face away, already burning with embarrassment...

In all this chaos, there is finally someone to consider. My poor baby hadn't asked to be part of this. I took the tissue Dr. Hollis offered, wiped my cheeks, then asked, "Is the baby okay?"

"The heartbeat is present, and that's encouraging, but I still have to run a few tests, especially regarding the cramps," she said slowly, not looking directly at me.

I nodded, swallowing hard. Suddenly, I don't want to make sure it's safe, but part of me can't help seeing it as Alex. But what if...? I immediately pushed the thought away, sitting up.

Several minutes passed, and she finally walked back in with some papers. "You need rest, reduce your stress as much as possible, and don't forget to stay hydrated."

I stared at her, mouthing the word 'rest.' Is that even a word in my lineage...?

"Don't tempt me, Kiera... I know your face is already having its own resolve, and technically, you are running towards things, but you can't overwork yourself because both of them matter." I looked at her sharply, but she didn't smile, not even a flinch... Then slowly, I looked away.

"I can't tell anyone. You don't know what this life means, Hollis," I said finally, my hand turning into a fist by my side...

She stood still, watching me for seconds that could possibly turn into hours without her getting tired. "That's your choice... And don't you dare tell me you will manage, because that's not the same as being safe."

"I'll manage," I said, still, and stood up. "No one can know about this appointment. I used a false name for a reason."

"I understand," she said, nodding. "No one will." I also nodded before leaving the room.

The receptionist was on the phone when I passed the front desk. Her eyes followed me, and her voice grew into a whisper... I slowed down. Who could she be talking to?

None of your business, Kiera. Just keep going... You have more important things than this...

Outside, the afternoon sun hit my face as I stepped onto the pavement. I paused beside the car, one hand resting against my stomach.

The heartbeat echoed in my memory. You are here now, and I promise to keep you safe, away from Alex or Catherine...

I opened the car door and settled into the back seat. "Back to the estate?" the driver asked, and I nodded. As the car pulled away, I checked my phone.

A message from Catherine appeared on the screen. Catherine: You left the office at two. Where did you go?

I stared at it, my finger going cold.