“Even though you terrified my doctor last time?”
His jaw tightens. “You wanted me to apologize. I’m going to apologize.”
The nurse calls my name, and we follow her back through the familiar hallway. Past the exam rooms with closed doors. Past the poster about prenatal vitamins that I memorized last time.
Dr. Williams is waiting in his office. He stands when we enter, and I see it immediately—the way his shoulders tense. The way his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
He’s afraid.
“Mrs. Volkov.” He extends his hand to me, then notices Ledger. His hand falters mid-air. “And Mr. Volkov.”
“Doctor.” Ledger’s voice is calm, professional. “Thank you for seeing us.”
“Of course.” Williams gestures to the chairs. “Please, sit.”
The appointment starts normally enough. He asks about my symptoms, my energy levels, and any concerns. I answer while trying to ignore the way his hands shake slightly when he types notes into his computer.
“I wanted to apologize,” I say suddenly. “For what happened last time. My husband’s men—they shouldn’t have done that. I’m so sorry they threatened you.”
The doctor’s expression shifts. Softens slightly. “I appreciate that, Mrs. Volkov. Though I have to admit, it’s not the typical way my patients’ families get information.”
“It won’t happen again,” Ledger says. His voice is measured, but there’s steel underneath. “What my men did was unacceptable. You were doing your job, and they violated your trust and mine. I’m sorry.”
Williams studies Ledger for a long moment, then nods slowly. “Thank you. That means something.” He pulls up a file on his computer. “Now, let’s take a look at this baby.”
The ultrasound room is the same too. Same machine, same cold gel, same uncomfortable table. But this time, Ledger is here. Standing beside me, holding my hand, his eyes fixed on the screen.
When Dr. Williams presses the wand to my stomach, the image appears. Clearer than last time. More defined. “There it is,” he says, and his voice is warm now, professional distance giving way to genuine enthusiasm. “About fourteen weeks along. Everything looks excellent. Good heartbeat. Good growth. All the measurements are right where they should be.”
I stare at the screen. The baby is so much bigger than before. I can see limbs now. A head. The curve of a spine.
Ledger’s hand tightens on mine. When I look at him, his eyes are shiny.
“That’s our baby,” he says, voice rough.
“That’s our baby,” I agree.
Dr. Williams prints out several pictures and hands them to us. “Everything looks great, Mrs. Volkov. Keep taking your prenatal vitamins, stay hydrated, and I’ll see you again in four weeks.”
“Thank you,” I say. “Really. Thank you for everything.”
“It’s my job.” He smiles, and this time it’s genuine. “And congratulations. You’re going to be great parents.”
In the car afterward, Ledger stares at the ultrasound pictures like they’re treasure maps.
“We should show Alexi,” he says.
“He’s going to make fun of us for being sappy.”
“Probably. But he’ll also be excited.” Ledger tucks the pictures carefully into his jacket pocket. “He’s going to be a good big brother.”
“He already is.”
I haven’t been to the main Kryla Holdings building in weeks.
Working from home has been comfortable, but today I needed to pick up some files that couldn’t be emailed, and Ledger had meetings all morning, so I decided to just go myself.
Pedro drove me, of course. Security is always tight, even for a quick office visit.
