His Adam’s apple jumps in his throat as his gaze probes mine. “Are you sure?”
I nod. “I am driving myself crazy, and I need to know.”
Air whooshes out of his mouth as he drags his hands through his hair. “Okay, let’s do this, but could we go to my place? I can call Ma and ask her to take Darcy overnight.”
“That isn’t necessary. We can talk here.”
“Somewhere private and comfortable is best for this conversation. If not my house, maybe we could go to the hotel?”
A sharp pain twists low in my gut, and I rub a hand over my tummy. “I’m not going to your house or the hotel, Callan.” I cry out and bend over as pain slams into me, cramping my stomach, and I feel something trickle down my legs.
“Astrid. What’s wrong?”
My legs wobble as I clutch my stomach. “I don’t know,” I say before my vision swims, my limbs turn to Jell-O, and the floor drifts up to greet me.
When I regain consciousness, I’m in a hospital gown in a hospital bed with Callan by my side. His hand is warm in mine as I stare at him in confusion, trying to piece together what happened. “Why am I here?” I croak.
“You passed out,” he says, and I feel the loss of his body heat when he slips his hand from mine and reaches for the jug by my bed. “Scared the shite out of me.” He pours me a cup of water. “I scooped you up and took you straight here. They admitted you immediately, and I’ve only just been let in to see you.” He presses the button to elevate the back of my bed. “Let’s sit you up a bit.” He carefully slides a hand under my back, propping up my pillows.
My stomach cramps, and I’m suddenly aware of the heavy pad nestled in my panties. My heart jolts in my chest. “What is going on?”
“I don’t know. They won’t tell me anything because I’m not family or your fiancé.” He hands me a cup of water with a straw. “You should take little sips.”
“Oh my god, Seán.” I hiss as pain contorts my stomach when I try to sit up straighter.
“Be careful, beautiful.”
Our eyes meet, and you could cut the tension with a knife.
“Sorry, it just slipped out.” He runs a hand around the back of his neck. “I gave the nurse Seán’s number, and she said she’d call him. I expect he’s on his way.”
“Not likely. He’s in Switzerland this week.”
“I’m sure he’ll?—”
“Mrs. Nevan,” a man in a white coat says as he strides into the room. “I’m Doctor Fanning. How are you feeling?”
Wow, he looks so young to be a doctor. I’m guessing he’s a newbie. “It’s just Miss, and I’m a little sore.”
“That’s to be expected.” He pats my hand as he takes the chart by my bed and skims his gaze over it. “I’m very sorry for your loss, but you’re young. You can try again.”
“What?” I blink repeatedly as my heart starts pounding like crazy.
Callan has turned as white as a sheet, but he pulls himself together quickly. “Doctor, Astrid has just woken, and no one has told her a thing.”
He has the decency to look ashamed. “Forgive me. I presumed the nurse assigned to you had explained the situation.” He takes the seat Callan vacated the second the doctor walked into the room. “You’ve suffered a miscarriage, Astrid.”
“I waspregnant?”
“You didn’t know?” the doctor says.
I shake my head, trying to remember when I had my last period. Between the move, all the fighting with Seán, andworking long hours since he left, it hadn’t even occurred to me that I’d missed one.
“I’m sorry to break it to you both like this.” He turns to Callan. “Astrid is going to need your support in the coming days. This will be emotional for both of you, and she may be in a little pain for a few days.”
“He’s not the father,” I say in a daze. Seán and I have barely spoken about kids except to say we want them, but far in the future.
“I apologize for jumping to conclusions and for speaking out of turn.” His face turns ashen. “Would you like me to ask the gentleman to leave?”
