1

Kiara

Three intense days of vomiting and nausea when I woke up in the morning. The maid had recommended that I see a doctor after noticing how often I was running to the bathroom, but I didn’t want to listen. I had a few days free from discomfort, but an unusual exhaustion would hit me during the day. After a week, the vomiting returned, and I decided it was time to call the doctor.

I arrived for my medical appointment. The doctor ran blood tests, among others. I stayed in the hallway, waiting for the results I had urgently requested. There was something different about me. I could feel it inside.

My leg moved nervously as I fought not to bite my nails. The office door opened, and Dr. Sanders came out with the results in hand and asked me to come in. Judging by his expression, something was wrong.

“Please, have a seat,” he indicated.

I obeyed, gripping the strap of my bag.

“Doctor? Is everything okay?”

He was silent. I scanned him with my eyes while my heart pounded hard against my chest.

“Doctor?” I asked again.

He sat down across from me.

“Miss Wells, would you like to receive this news with your husband?”

“My husband isn’t in town.”

Jake had left over a week ago on a business trip. In a few hours his plane would land in the city, but I didn’t have the time or patience to wait for him to arrive.

“Whatever it is, please tell me.”

“You are pregnant with twins, Miss Wells.”

The news hit me like a slap. A bucket of cold water.

My world stopped completely, and I stopped breathing.

What? Pregnant? No… that was impossible. I couldn’t be pregnant. Not now. It wasn’t in our plans, and we weren’t at our best as a couple because Jake traveled so much.

I blinked a few times, hoping it wasn’t real.

“Excuse me, what did you say, Dr. Sanders?”

“You are one month pregnant, Kiara. The vomiting and fatigue you’ve been feeling are related to the pregnancy. That explains the symptoms.”

“But that can’t be possible because I take contraceptive pills, doctor.”

“Did you forget to take any?”

“Two, actually, but I thought I fixed it by taking two at the same time. That’s what my gynecologist recommended.”

“Pills aren’t fully effective, and hearing your case… it makes sense. The pregnancy probably occurred when you missed the pills.”

My legs were shaking. Part of me felt a flicker of joy.

Being a mother had always been part of my plan, but not like this… not now. Not when we’d been almost a month apart because of his work.

Jake owns a renowned tech company. He inherited the position after his father died two years ago. He was always busy with work, but for the past month, he barely set foot in the house.

I didn’t know how he would take it. We both had responsibility in this, but I feared his reaction. Jake wasn’t ready to be a father. He had said so himself.

The doctor handed me the papers. I read the results, wishing it was a mistake.

“There’s more you need to know, Kiara.”

I lifted my eyes from the papers.

“There’s more?”

“It’s about your health: the tests show that you have severe anemia that needs treatment. We also found abnormalities in your white blood cells that could be caused by cancer.”

I dropped the papers sharply.

“Cancer?”

“We’ll do more tests next week to get more specific results, okay? In the meantime, go home and try to eat healthily and properly. I recommend resting so as not to complicate the pregnancy or your health.”

I knew it. I knew something was wrong with me. And the babies… twins? How could this be?

“Are you sure I’m pregnant?” I asked before leaving the office, tears welling in my eyes.

He nodded.

“Absolutely sure, Miss Wells.”

I left the room completely shaken. I went in as one person and came out as someone completely different.

Outside the hospital, my driver was waiting to take me home, but I wasn’t ready. Jake would almost be home, and I didn’t want to face him. I stopped at a café, wondering why Jake hadn’t yet texted me that he had landed. It wasn’t like him not to communicate.

I sensed a fight. The cloudy day forecasted a storm in the sky, but also at home.

I noticed it was late. Six in the evening. I had to go back.

I got into the car, and the driver drove me home. I couldn’t help but shed a few tears on the way. Two babies and a possible cancer. It was too much for me.

Jake’s car was parked outside the mansion. He was already home. I felt a mix of relief and fear.

“Are you okay, Miss Kiara?” my driver asked.

I looked at him in the rearview mirror.

“Yes,” I lied. But if the driver noticed, I was sure Jake would too.

Should I tell him the news now? Or wait to process it on my own before speaking?

A tangle of thoughts pierced my chest. I climbed the steps to the entrance and opened the door. He wasn’t in the living room. I heard his muffled voice coming from his office. I walked there to see him. I found him with the phone at his ear, but when he saw me, he gave me a distant look.

“I’ll call you later.” He hung up.

I smiled when I saw him.

“You’re home… hi,” I walked toward him, where Jake was waiting.

He looked as handsome as ever: tall, athletic, dark messy hair, strong jaw, and gray steel-like eyes. His energy was as dangerous as it was sensual. But there was something different in his gaze. Something that made me uncomfortable.

I found it odd that Jake didn’t come to hug me like he had before. We had been distant, and it showed. The atmosphere had turned cold.

I hugged him, but Jake barely touched me. I sought his eyes.

“What’s wrong, Jake? Are you still upset about last night’s argument?”

His hand moved toward a folder on the desk.

“We need to talk, Kiara,” he stated, handing me the folder.

“What’s this?” I opened it, looking confused.

The words I read left me stunned: a mutual divorce agreement.