Chapter 4

Author’s Pov

“ I don't know, Mia. I’ve just been feeling so sick. “ Aurelia dropped her tired body on the soft mattress and fell back. She did not even had the strength to sit straighten up and just sank onto the bed.

 The silk sheets were cool against her bare legs. Exhaustion pressed down on her like a physical weight. She had been feeling down and sick. Days of strange nausea, bone deep tiredness and a faint dizziness that came and went. 

It had been happening for a month or so but she didn't give it any importance but it had gotten worse that she could not bear it anymore. She rubbed her temples and then reached for her phone.

Mia picked up on the second ring. “ I don’t feel good. “ The moment Mia picked up, Aurelia spoke. “Hey, you okay?” Mia’s voice was warm and concerned, the way it always was.

“I… don’t know,” Aurelia admitted softly. She gulped the lump formed in her throat, feeling the build up of saliva as if she was gonna throw up. “I’ve been feeling off. Really off. Tired all the time, queasy, like my body isn’t mine anymore. I have been throwing up for days now. ”

A pause. Then Mia’s tone sharpened into doctor mode. I heard her shift of tone and smiled slightly.  “How long?”

“A couple of weeks? Maybe more.” I answered. 

“Any other symptoms? Breast tenderness? Missed period?”

Aurelia’s breath caught. She hadn’t even counted. “I… yeah. Late. By almost four weeks or… more?” Aurelia couldn’t remember. Her head ached too much as she put pressure to remember the details she should remember by heart. 

“Get your ass to the hospital. Now. I’m on shift in thirty. I’ll squeeze you in for blood and an ultrasound. No arguments.” Aurelia exhaled, already pushing herself upright. “Okay. I’m coming.”

She changed quickly into a simple black jeans, soft cream sweater and her hair pulled into a loose ponytail. She looked put-together, even if she didn’t feel it. When she stepped out of the bedroom and into the living room, Dante was there.

He was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows. His phone was in his hand, his suit jacket already on and every line of him radiating control. His head turned the moment she appeared as if he could hear her silence, her presence.

The moment he turned, his dark eyes locked on her. They were dark, intense, unreadable, possessive in that way that always made her pulse jump. She gasped softly, startled by how quickly he noticed her but she should not have because Dante Salvatore was always on alert. 

“Aurelia.”

His voice stopped her mid-step. Low. Commanding without raising in volume. Her heart stopped and she froze. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her small bag that hung on her shoulder. “Where are you going?”

She swallowed and looked away, trying to avoid his intense gaze. “Just… to see Mia.” His gaze narrowed slightly. He slipped the phone into his pocket and crossed the room in three measured strides until he was close enough that she could smell his cologne. The same, dark, expensive, familiar cologne that drove her wild.  “I’ll drop you.”

“No.” The word came out too fast. She shook her head. “You have that big meeting today. The new clients from Dubai- they’re important. You can’t be late.” He studied her for a long beat. His head tilted, like he was weighing every word she’d just said.

“Why don’t you come see me after you meet Mia then?” His voice was velvet over steel. So dominant, even though the sentence ended like a question. She nodded quickly, almost in reflex. “Okay.”

She did not want to stay anymore and just wanted to reach Mia but before she could turn away, his hand caught hers. One firm tug pulled her back into his space. She gasped again and her eyes widened as his other palm cupped her cheek. Her heart raced as his thumb brushed the corner of her mouth.

His touch sent shivers down her spine and goosebumps rose all over her body. She was confused about his motive but her eyes enlarged when ….  He kissed her.

He kissed her slowly at first but then it turned deeper, hungrier. His lips moved over hers with deliberate possession and his tongue sliding in to taste her, sucking gently on her bottom lip until she whimpered. 

His other hand snaked around her waist and pulled her close as she stumbled and fell on his chest. Tingles raced down her spine and her hands flew to his biceps, gripping hard as her knees threatened to buckle. 

He took his time, kissing her like he had all morning to devour her, until her breathing was ragged and her cheeks burned. Her mind fogged and she could not focus on anything. 

When he finally pulled back, his thumb stroked her flushed cheek once, softly. Her breath was ragged and she panted heavily, her chest rose and fell fast making him smile slightly at her. He was aware of her being sensitive even at slightest touches but it also amused him every time. 

“Be careful,” he murmured.

Then he released her, turned, and walked away, leaving her standing there breathless. Her lips were tingling and her heart hammered against her ribs.

At the private clinic, Mia was waiting in the exam room. She was already in scrubs, a warm smile breaking across her face the second Aurelia walked in. “God, you look pale. Sit.” Mia patted the exam table and her smile was replaced with a frown now. 

Aurelia climbed up gently and her legs dangled. “I feel ridiculous. It’s probably just stress.” She let out a sigh while Mia observed her. 

“Uh-huh. Let’s rule out the fun stuff first.” Mia drew blood and then wheeled over the ultrasound machine. “Lie back. Shirt up, pants down a little.” Aurelia obeyed, heart thudding louder now.

Cold gel. The wand glided over her lower abdomen sending cold shivers down her spine making her close her eyes.  Mia’s eyes were on the screen. Silent for a few long seconds.

Then her mouth fell open. “Aurelia…”

“What?” Aurelia’s voice cracked. They both were thinking of the same thing and Aurelia somewhere knew after seeing Mia’s face. Mia then turned the screen toward her.

A tiny, flickering shape. A heartbeat. So fast, strong, unmistakable.

“You’re pregnant.”

The room tilted.

Aurelia stared at the grainy image and then tears prickled instantly. “I… what?” Her words came out broken. “About seven weeks, give or take.” Mia’s voice softened. “That’s why you’ve been so tired. Nausea. All of it.”

Aurelia pressed a hand to her mouth. A shaky laugh escaped her lips. “I’m… pregnant.” Aurelia was confused how to react.  Mia reached over, squeezing her hand. “You okay? Talk to me.”

“I don’t know,” Aurelia whispered. “I’m happy. I think. Terrified. He… Dante… I don’t even know how to tell him. What if- ”

“Hey.” Mia cut her off gently. “One step at a time. You don’t have to decide anything right now. Just breathe. You’ve got me, okay? Whatever happens. I’d suggest you share it with him. Maybe this baby can remove all problems in your lives. “

Aurelia nodded and wiped tears brimming at her eyes. “Thank you.”

She left the clinic in a daze, the ultrasound printout tucked into her bag like a secret she wasn’t ready to share but she could not help but smile. She was thinking maybe now Dante wouldn’t marry Aisha and they could be a happy family. 

The drive to Dante’s downtown office passed in a blur. She kept replaying Mia’s words. The heartbeat. The word pregnant. Her hand drifted to her stomach again and again.

Should I tell him? Could I?

By the time the elevator opened on the executive floor, her nerves were raw. She had never felt this nervous before. She had made herself strong but this feeling was overwhelming. 

She stepped out and headed straight for his office. She was Mrs. Dante Salvatore did not need permission to walk in his office until his secretary rose from behind the desk.

“Mrs. Salvatore, I’m so sorry. Mr. Salvatore is in an important meeting right now. With Ms. Hayden.”

The name landed like ice water. Aisha Hayden. His first love. The woman he had dated, the woman who was elegant, ruthless in boardrooms. Always too close, always smiling like she knew something Aurelia didn’t.

Aurelia’s throat closed. She could hear her heart shattering to the tiniest shards. She remembered the way Dante had kissed her that morning. The way he’d said come see me after.

Has it all been a game? A cruel little joke. To let the naive wife walk in and see him with her? How was she back- she was supposed to be back days later- Was it all a lie?

Pain lanced through her chest and was so sharp and sudden. She took one step back. Then another. Her knees wobbled and tears blurred her vision.  “I… I’ll come back later,” she managed, her voice barely audible.

The secretary opened her mouth, but Aurelia was already turning. A single tear slipped down her cheek as the elevator doors closed behind her.

She pressed a protective hand to her stomach. No. He didn’t get to know. Not now. Not ever, if this was how little she meant.

She walked out of the building into the cold air. Her shoulders squared and her heart heavy but already hardening.

This baby was hers.

And she would protect it.

From everything.

Even him.