Something is wrong.
My eyes fly open in time to notice Dr. Rogers’ expression shift. It’s small, but it’s enough to make my heart lurch.
“What is it? Is my baby okay?”
“The heartbeat is there. But it’s slower than I’d like it to be for this stage.”
“What does that mean?” My voice is barely above a whisper.
“It can mean a few things.” He slowly removes the probe and wipes it clean. “Sometimes, it’s just that the heartbeat starts a little slow and catches up. Other times…”
I already know from the sinking feeling in my stomach what he’s going to say. “It could mean a miscarriage…”
“I’ll take some blood samples and book you in for another scan in a few days, just to keep an eye on things.”
“B-but, I could lose my baby?” I don’t even realize that I’m crying until a few stray tears drip down onto my neck.
“There is always a possibility, but I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen.” He reaches out to squeeze my hand. “But I’m going to need you to stay as calm as possible. Unnecessary stress is bad for the baby, so try to relax. I know that’s hard to do considering what we’re discussing, but I’m going to need you to try. Can you do that?”
My eyes swim with tears, and I can’t seem to remember how to breathe.
I need Kieran.
Dr. Rogers finishes collecting some blood samples. “Don’t worry too much yet. It’s not unheard of for things to resolve themselves. We’ll keep a close eye on you.”
Once we finish up, I ready myself to put on a performance worthy of an Oscar because Jace is right outside the door, and the last thing I need is for him to see me unravel and report back to Kieran.
So, I plaster on a smile despite feeling like my heart is breaking.
Maybe this is the universe’s cruel way of proving me right.
If I had told Kieran already only to lose the baby, he would be devastated. And if the worst happens, if I do lose this baby, I’ll be the only one to blame.
Chapter Twenty
KIERAN
The momentI watched the car disappear through the gates with Riley in the back seat, I knew I made the wrong choice.
Sean O’Keefe made a direct threat against her life and somehow, I still managed to let her convince me it would be all right for her to leave the estate.
Even with three guards in tow, I feel uneasy at the thought of her not being in my line of sight.
How have I gotten myself so wrapped around her little finger that I’m willing to put her life at risk?
I curse myself for not insisting on taking whatever it is she needed to drop off for Ciara to the doctor myself, or at the very least, getting Ronan to do it.
We should be the ones risking our necks, but instead we’re sitting around in his study like a pair of brooding teenagers.
“Anyone want me to lighten the mood, or should I just keep reminding Kieran he let Sean slip through his big, brutish hands?” Brennan smirks in my direction.
“Fuck off.” I lean forward in my chair. “At least I’m doing something. All you’ve done today is annoy the shit out of me.”
“Which, I would argue, is just as important.”
“Enough.” Ronan pinches the bridge of his nose. “We don’t have the luxury of fucking around.”
He’s sitting behind the desk with his shoulders hunched and eyes so empty from exhaustion that the only thing keeping him upright is sheer stubbornness.
