Semua Bab Is this Love or Obsession : Bab 31 - Bab 39

Nicole had been sitting in Sebastian's hospital room for three hours, watching the little boy sleep peacefully for the first time since his ordeal began. Her five-month belly made the uncomfortable hospital chair even more challenging, but she refused to leave. Every few minutes, she found herself looking toward the door, waiting for Marcus to return with news about Timothy's surgery.The baby had been restless since the emotional upheaval of the afternoon, responding to her elevated stress levels with constant movement. Nicole pressed her hand to her stomach, whispering soft reassurances to the child who would soon meet a father who didn't know of its existence."The baby's moving," Sebastian said drowsily, having woken from his nap. His observant four-year-old eyes missed nothing."Yes, sweetie. I think he or she is excited to meet you."Sebastian scooted closer to her in the narrow hospital bed. "Can I feel?"Nicole hesitated for a moment, then guided his small hand to where the ba

Timothy woke to find Sebastian curled up beside him in the hospital bed, the little boy having somehow convinced the night nurse to let him stay. Nicole was asleep in the chair next to them, her hand resting protectively on her five-month belly, auburn hair falling across her face in the early morning light.For a moment, Timothy allowed himself to simply observe this unexpected tableau-his son safe, the woman he loved returned to him, and the child they'd created together growing beneath her heart. It was everything he'd dreamed of during those dark months after she'd disappeared, and everything he'd thought impossible when he'd slipped that engagement ring onto Victoria's finger.His phone buzzed insistently on the bedside table. Victoria's number flashed on the screen for the fifteenth time since yesterday."Answer it," Nicole said quietly, her eyes still closed. "She deserves to know you're safe."Timothy hesitated, then accepted the call. Victoria's voice was thick with tears and

Three days had passed since Victoria's heartbreaking phone call, and Timothy was finally cleared for discharge. His hand remained heavily bandaged, but the doctors were optimistic about his recovery. Sebastian had barely left his father's side, as if afraid that any separation might lead to another disappearance.Nicole was helping Sebastian pack his few belongings when the little boy asked the question that had been weighing on her mind since their reunion."Nicole, where is my real mommy?"Timothy, who was signing discharge papers with his good hand, froze at his son's words. The pen stilled in his fingers as he looked up to find both Nicole and Sebastian watching him expectantly."Sebastian..." Timothy began carefully, but Nicole held up a gentle hand."It's okay," she said softly. "He has the right to know, and I... I'd like to understand too."Timothy set down the pen and moved to sit on the edge of the hospital bed, gathering his thoughts. This was a conversation he'd hoped to d

Four Months LaterThe penthouse terrace overlooked Central Park in the golden light of early autumn, but Nicole barely noticed the view as another contraction gripped her. She breathed through it the way the birthing classes had taught her, Timothy's hand steady and warm in hers."That's seven minutes apart," Timothy said, checking his watch with the precision that had made him a billionaire. "The doctor said to come in when they're five minutes apart.""I know what the doctor said," Nicole replied with a mixture of amusement and mild irritation. "But I also know this baby isn't ready yet."Sebastian looked up from his coloring book, where he was carefully drawing a family of four stick figures. At five years old, he'd grown more confident and talkative, especially since Nicole had officially adopted him three months ago. The legal proceedings had been surprisingly smooth-Timothy's money and influence certainly helped, but more importantly, Sebastian had been vocal about wanting Nicol