Both Kieran and Stephen are at my side in an instant.
Kieran frowns. “What is it?”
“It’s…nothing.” I gasp as I force a smile, though I know he can see the beads of sweat that coat my forehead.
I try to exhale slowly, breathing through the pain, but another sharp cramp hits, and I double over, clutching my stomach.
Stephen holds me sitting up. “We need to take you to the hospital.”
“No, I-I’m fin?—”
My stomach twists again, stealing the breath from my lungs.
Kieran shakes his head. “No one is leaving this house. Ronan’s orders.”
Stephen growls. “Fuck the orders, she needs a doctor.”
I flinch at the murderous look Kieran gives Stephen.
“I’m fine,” I choke, though the pain in my stomach is so bad that I can barely get the words out.
“You’re not fine, Ciara.”
Kieran folds his arms over his chest. “What the hell is going on?”
I glance up at him and see panic on his face as he looks down at me. I want to tell him the truth, but the words stick in my throat, choking me as I think of my baby.
Something’s wrong.
Something’s wrong, and Ronan isn’t here.
“Oh, God,” I sob as I clutch my stomach.
Kieran crouches down in front of me so his eyes are level with mine. “Ciara, talk to me. Are you sick? Is this something we need to call Ronan about?”
I shake my head, swallowing hard against the lump rising in my throat. “No…please, don’t call him.”
I glance over at Stephen, who looks deeply concerned.
Kieran catches the look, and his expression hardens. “Ciara, you’re going to tell me what the hell is going on right now.”
I lower my gaze. “I’m pregnant.” My eyes come up to meet his. “I haven’t told Ronan yet, and…I’m scared I might be losing the bab?—”
My voice breaks, and I clamp a hand over my mouth to muffle my sobs.
Mila’s arm is around my shoulders in an instant as I break down, my body trembling with the force of my tears.
For a moment, Kieran says nothing, his jaw clenched so tight I’m surprised he hasn’t cracked a tooth.
When he finally talks, his voice is strained as he looks at me. “You didn’t tell him?”
“No.”
He curses as he runs a hand through his hair. “Ciara, this isn’t just your secret to keep. Ronan needs to know.”
“I know.” Tears start to roll down my cheeks. “But not now. Not with everything that’s going on. He already has enough on his plate, and he needs to focus. Please, Kieran… I just need time.”
He exhales sharply. “You’re putting me in a very tough position here, Ciara.”
