When had he made a doctor’s appointment—was itbeforehe’d asked her? Before she’d said yes? And was this doctor happy for them to show up whenever Edo felt like it? She didn’t bother asking any of the questions. She already knew he’d done exactly that. All of it. And judging by the clenched tilt of his jaw, he wasn’t sorry.
Less than ten minutes later the car parked outside a sleek clinic. She unfastened her belt but before she could reach for the door handle Edo gripped her wrist.
‘You wait for them to check the area first.’
She stared at him, then at the bodyguard who’d exited the front passenger seat and was scanning the pavement. ‘There’s no one—’
‘You need to get used to them doing their job,’ Edo added firmly. ‘It will become normal.’
To have people monitoring her every move? To never have to open a car door for herself ever again? Phoebe’s tension grew as his bodyguards walked them to the door, went in first and then dropped back to wait and watch at the exit. It was only a moment before a nurse signalled for Phoebe and Edo to follow her. Which meant the doctor had indeed been happy to be flexible on time. Phoebe stepped into the large consulting room, blinking at the older woman who stepped forward to greet them—she was the ultimate in academic refinement with her tailored suit, perfectly styled hair and air of brilliance and assurance. She and Edo spoke in such fast Italian Phoebe had no hope of following along. She glanced at the framed certificates adorning the wall—the science degree, medical degree, surgical specialties, awards. Everything about this place—especially the doctor—was impressive and yes, reassuring. She did want to know everything was okay. Did want to know if there were things she ought to be doing.
‘Dr Di Lello would like to take your medical history.’ Edo interrupted her reverie. ‘I’ll give you privacy.’
He wasn’t staying in here to listen? She’d expected he’d want to be here for everything, what with being a control freak and all.
A cynical smile curved his mouth, as if he’d read her mind. ‘You can’t get out of here without my knowing, but I appreciate you’ll feel more comfortable without me breathing down your neck. Your health is the most important thing right now. I’ll have my cheek swab for the paternity test while you talk. Be honest with her and find out what you need to know.’
With perfect English, Dr Di Lello questioned Phoebe at length while she got her nurse to do a blood draw. She was calm and supportive. Phoebe relaxed, asked all her questions, gratefully took the pregnancy guide the doctor gave her, together with a prescription for pre-natal vitamins.
‘We will do a scan now,’ the doctor said with a smile.
A what now?Phoebe stared hard at the doctor. ‘You mean, see the baby?’
Her heart pounded. Suddenly this wasveryreal. But what about Edo—she glanced at the door—would he want to see the baby too?
‘Shall I see if he wants to step in?’ the doctor asked.
‘Yes. Okay. Thank you,’ she babbled breathily, a chill sweeping across her skin. This was so awkward. Her stress grew as she waited for ages before Dr Di Lello returned—alone, her expression neutral.
‘He’s on a call.’ The doctor moved to the examination area. ‘We’ll go ahead without him this time.’
Phoebe stilled, tried to regulate her breathing. Edo couldn’t come see their baby for the first time because he was on a call? Giving her privacy in the doctor’s room wasn’t him being sensitive, he just had other more important things to do. She could understand that his work was more important thanher, but to consider it more important than their baby? That angered her. He’d really meant it when he’d said both she and the baby would be better off without him in the long term.
She lay on the narrow bed and the doctor touched the sonogram wand across her belly. An amorphous grey mess appeared on screen at first, then very clearly a head emerged, a body. Ababy.
‘There’s a really strong heartbeat,’ the doctor said in her measured, reassuring way.
Phoebe stared at the grey swirling outline on the screen and listened to the scurrying beats. Her heart raced too.
‘I’m just taking some measurements,’ the doctor murmured.
It seemed to take for ever, but Phoebe just stared at the screen,awed.
‘Everything is looking really good,’ the doctor said softly. ‘Do you want to know the gender?’
‘You can tell already?’ While Phoebe could see the head and body, identifying more tiny details seemed impossible, even if she squinted.
‘Yes, would you like to know?”
A lump blocked her throat, making it impossible to speak. She shook her head slightly. It didn’t matter as long as everything was okay.
The doctor smiled. ‘Then it shall be a surprise.’
* * *
Edo tried to concentrate on what Felipe was telling him, but he had to get him to repeat every other sentence because he kept zoning out, which meant the call had taken far longer than necessary. He couldn’t stop wondering about Phoebe. Had she had a blood draw? What had she told the doctor? Was she healthy—was she well and strong enough for this pregnancy? Uncertainty stressed him—he didn’t know the first thing about pregnancy or child birth and honestly didn’t want to. But nor did he want Phoebe suffering, didn’t want her unwell or at risk. There was risk with this and he just didn’t—
Someone coughed behind him and he turned. His focus arrowed to Phoebe but apparently she’d developed an obsession with the floor. He abruptly ended the call and addressed the doctor.
