All Chapters of The Billionaire’s Abandoned Wife : Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

“How long do these things usually take? Realistically?” Bianca asked it during a follow-up appointment, sitting across from her doctor with Ethan beside her, genuine curiosity replacing the nervous uncertainty that had characterized their initial conversation weeks earlier. “For someone your age, it can vary considerably,” the doctor said carefully. “Some couples conceive within a few months. Others take up to a year or longer. I don’t want you building expectations around a specific timeline, especially given the perimenopause considerations we discussed.” “What should we actually be doing differently,” Ethan asked, “beyond just, well, trying?” The doctor smiled slightly at his careful phrasing. “Tracking ovulation cycles helps. Beyond that, mostly just patience, and genuine communication about how the process affects you both emotionally, not just physically.” They left the appointment with a folder of practical information, genuine excitement tempered by realistic expectations

“His name is James. He’s a pediatric nurse, actually, which feels like a strange kind of poetic coincidence given everything.” Rosalind said it over coffee, something nervous and genuinely happy crossing her expression as she prepared Bianca for their upcoming introduction. “How did you meet him?” Bianca asked, watching her friend’s careful, hopeful energy with genuine warmth. “Through work, actually. He consulted with our foundation about pediatric program logistics last year. We kept in touch professionally, and then somehow it became something else entirely.” Rosalind smiled, something soft crossing her usually composed features. “I kept waiting for myself to sabotage it. Old habit, I think, expecting good things to eventually reveal themselves as complicated or dangerous.” “But you didn’t sabotage it,” Bianca said gently. “I didn’t,” Rosalind confirmed. “I think watching you and Ethan build something genuine, despite everything that could have made either of you permanently gu

“Everything looks completely healthy,” the doctor confirmed, reviewing Bianca’s latest measurements with practiced efficiency. “But given your age and how large he’s measuring, I’d recommend inducing labor this week rather than waiting for your original due date.” Bianca glanced at Ethan, something nervous and excited crossing between them simultaneously. “This week specifically?” “Thursday, if that works for your schedule,” the doctor confirmed. “Nothing concerning about the recommendation. Just proactive rather than reactive care, given the specific factors we’ve discussed.” They spent the following two days in a whirlwind of final preparation, hospital bags reconfirmed, Zoe’s care arrangements finalized with Adaeze, who’d insisted on being available the moment labor actually began. “I keep thinking about how different this feels from waiting nervously for something to just happen naturally,” Bianca admitted to Ethan the night before the scheduled induction. “This feels almost to

“I’ve been offered the national directorship. Not just regional oversight. The entire coalition, nationwide.” Marcus said it during a quiet weekday visit, something complicated crossing his expression despite the obvious significance of the opportunity. Bianca set down the coffee she’d been preparing, giving her brother-in-law’s announcement the careful attention it deserved. “That’s an enormous opportunity, Marcus. Why do you look uncertain instead of thrilled?” “Because it would mean relocating permanently,” Marcus admitted. “Not the temporary rotation Ethan did. Actually moving, this time to the coalition’s national headquarters, three states away.” Ethan, who’d joined them partway through the conversation, exchanged a concerned glance with Bianca. “How does Amara feel about it?” “She says she’ll support whatever I decide,” Marcus said. “But I don’t think that’s actually the same as her wanting to move. I think she’s trying to be supportive without admitting how disruptive this

“I don’t know what to do, and I don’t think there’s an easy answer this time.” Zoe said it quietly at dinner, something genuinely troubled crossing her thirteen-year-old face in a way that immediately caught Bianca’s full attention. “Tell us what’s happening,” Bianca said gently, setting down her fork. “At the advisory board,” Zoe began, choosing her words carefully. “We found out one of the foundation’s biggest donors has been pressuring program directors to prioritize photogenic kids for promotional materials. Kids who look sicker, more dramatic for fundraising videos, instead of just featuring whoever’s actually benefiting from the programs.” Ethan set down his own utensils, giving the situation his full attention. “That’s a genuinely difficult situation.” “It gets worse,” Zoe continued. “If we push back publicly, the foundation risks losing a donor who provides almost twenty percent of their operating budget. But if we don’t push back, we’re basically telling kids their worth