Peter inhales sharply. “Wow.” He rubs his jaw like he’s trying to process what he’s seeing. “That’s incredible.”
My chest tightens because I’m happy. Truly, achingly happy.
And also heartbroken because this should be a shared moment for me and Kade. He should be sitting where Pete is. He should be seeing this. He should be squeezing my hand right now. He should be laughing under his breath, pretending not to cry.
Instead, he’s in a shirt with another woman under his arm.
My eyes sting.
The sonographer continues taking measurements, clicking buttons. “Heartbeat is strong. Baby is growing right on track. You’re doing everything perfectly, mum.”
Mum. The word cracks something inside me. I blink rapidly, wiping tears before they fall.
“Are you alright?” Pete asks quietly.
“Yes,” I whisper, though emotion clogs my throat. “Just . . . overwhelmed.”
He nods. “Makes sense.”
The sonographer turns the screen so I can see better. “Would you like a picture?”
I nod immediately.
She prints a few black-and-white images and hands them to me. I hold the top one carefully, like it might crumble under too much pressure.
My baby. My beautiful, perfect baby.
When the sonographer cleans the gel away and gives me privacy to dress, Pete steps into the hallway to wait. I slide off the chair slowly, my legs trembling.
I tuck the images into my bag and step out to meet Pete, forcing a smile.
“Ready?” he asks warmly.
“Yeah,” I say, holding the strap of my bag a little tighter. “I’m ready.”
KADE
I’m meant to be paying attention. Meant to be listening to Juan José talk through shipments, ports, schedules, security protocols, all the shit I normally absorb without effort.
But today, the words won’t stick. Because something feels wrong, off, heavy in my chest in a way I can’t explain.
I sit at the long mahogany table in the hotel’s private conference suite, Anika to my left, Juan José and his men opposite. Everyone looks polished, sharp, and expensive.
Meanwhile, I feel like I’m under water.
“Presidente Kade,” Juan José says smoothly, drawing out my name. “You agree with the revised timeline, sí?”
Anika shoots me a warning glance.Focus.
I force my jaw to unclench. “Yeah. Fine by me.”
Anika leans in slightly. “Try to at leastpretendyou’re present,” she mutters under her breath, her smile never slipping.
I don’t bother responding because I don’t give a shit about her deals right now. Or her father’s empire. For the hundredth time, I wonder how I’ve ended up here in meetings, schmoozing clients. This isn’t how it was supposed to be—take shipments, shift them cross country. Now, suddenly, I’m needed to oversee this shit, like I’m meant to give a fuck.
“Mr. Kade,” Juan José continues, folding his hands, “I look forward to a long and prosperous partnership.”
I nod, the motion stiff. “Likewise.”
