Chapter 168: Forbidden Love Bears Fruit

Chapter 168: Forbidden Love Bears Fruit
Oliver's POV

The wheels of my private jet kissed the runway at Vale International Airport with a soft thud. After days in London helping Gabriel and raking in a fortune along the way, I was finally back. And there was only one person I was dying to see.

Isabella.

As I stepped down from the plane, camera flashes hit me like a spotlight. Damn. The paparazzi were already swarming.

"Mr. Devon! Any comment on your aunt Isabella reclaiming her assets from her jailed half-brother Reed?"

"Mr. Devon! Is it true Reed sexually harassed Isabella before he got locked up?"

"Mr. Devon! What's the deal with those rumors about a taboo romance between you and your aunt?"

I slipped on my designer shades and shoved through the crowd without a word. Let them talk. Let them judge. I didn't give a damn what anyone thought anymore.

I scanned the pickup area, half-hoping to spot Gabriel or Luke, but all I saw was my family's chauffeur. A twinge of disappointment hit me. After everything I'd done for Gabriel in London, the guy could've at least shown up to say thanks.

"Welcome back, sir," the chauffeur said, grabbing my carry-on.

"Thanks. Let's bail before these vultures start picking me apart."

The sleek black Bentley idled at the curb. Davis opened the door, and I slid into the cool leather seats—only to freeze when I saw who was waiting inside.

"What the hell? Dad, what are you doing here?" I stared at my father, Shane Devon, looking as sharp and intimidating as ever in his tailored suit.

He shot me a glare mixed with relief. "You still remember you have a dad? I thought you'd dropped off the face of the earth in London!"

I leaned back with a smirk, trying to play it cool even though his surprise appearance threw me off. "Your son's kind of a big shot now. If you're smart, you'll quit fighting me on Isabella and just accept us. Otherwise, I might have to cut you loose."

Dad shook his head, exasperated. "You're talking about disowning me at a time like this? I've been blowing up your phone for days! Do you even give a crap about anyone besides yourself anymore?"

"I give a crap about Isabella," I shot back with a cocky grin, though his words stung more than I let on.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Look, I'm wiped out. I don't have the energy for this fight right now. Just do us both a favor and get on board with me and Isabella."

"She's carrying your kid, for crying out loud. What's left to fight about?"

My whole body locked up. "Pregnant? Isabella's... pregnant?" I grabbed his shoulder hard enough to make him wince. "With my baby?"

Dad pried my fingers off his jacket. "That's what I've been trying to tell you! Isabella and I sorted out our issues days ago. We've both been calling you nonstop while you were off playing mogul in London. Were you planning to show up after the kid's born?"

I couldn't even form words. My brain was spinning, heart pounding like a drum. Isabella and I were having a baby. A freaking baby. Holy crap.

"Where is she?" I finally choked out, my voice urgent. "Where's Isabella right now?"

Dad threw up his hands. "Beats me."

I yanked out my phone and dialed my head of security. "I need Isabella's location. Stat."

Minutes later, I was barking at the driver to haul ass to Vale Hospital. My mind was a whirlwind—worry crashing into excitement, fear mixing with this insane joy. I had to see her. Hold her. Make sure this was real.

The hospital corridors blurred as I charged through, brushing off nurses' warnings and dirty looks. When I hit the maternity ward, voices drifted from one of the rooms.

I shoved the door open harder than I meant to, eyes darting wildly. "Isabella? Where is she? Where's my—"

There she was, propped up on the exam table, even more stunning than I remembered. Luna sat beside her, looking totally caught off guard by my entrance.

I crossed the room in three long strides and pulled Isabella into my arms, holding her like she'd vanish if I let go. "God, I've missed you. Missed you so damn much."

Isabella pushed at my chest. "Easy! The baby—you're squeezing too tight!"

I loosened up instantly, panic overriding everything. "Oh crap, the baby! Is the baby okay? Where is it?"

Luna chimed in, smirking. "Devon, did you forget your brain in London? The baby's still inside Isabella, genius."

I blinked, shaking my head to snap out of it. "I... I'm just freaking out here!"

The doctor cleared her throat. "Maybe you could wait outside while I wrap up with Ms. Devon?"

"No chance," I said firmly. "I'm the father. Whatever you've got to say, I need to hear it."

The doctor nodded. "Fair enough. As I was saying, the pregnancy's past the first trimester, but we still recommend avoiding sex. If it's unavoidable, be extremely gentle with Ms. Devon's condition."

The room went dead quiet. Isabella elbowed me. "She's talking to you."

"Right! Got it. I'll be super careful," I promised, heat creeping up my neck.

Luna stood, looking a bit awkward. "Isabella, since Oliver's back, I'll let you two catch up. We can talk about our collab later."

Isabella slid off the table. "No need. I've got nothing to say to him."

"If you're heading to Ethereal HQ, I can drive you both," I jumped in, not about to let her slip away.

Twenty minutes later, I was chauffeuring Isabella and Luna to Ethereal's head office, where Sophia was waiting. In Isabella's office, I orbited her like a moon—fetching water, fluffing her chair, basically hovering.

She finally sighed, half-annoyed, half-amused. "I'm pregnant, not helpless."

"I just want to take care of you," I said softly, meaning every word.

She gave me that look—the one that was equal parts fire and fondness. "We need to discuss business in private. Wait outside."

I nodded right away. "Call if you need anything. Anything at all."

In the waiting area, I sprawled on a leather couch, staring out the massive windows as night fell over Vale. My thoughts raced with plans—baby names, nurseries, our future. A family. After all the sneaking around, the secrets, the drama—we were actually doing this. I couldn't believe my luck: a killer payday in London, getting my girl back, finding out about the baby, and even patching things up between Isabella and Dad. Who could top this high?

As the windows turned reflective in the evening light, I spotted Gabriel and Luke striding in one after the other. I lounged back, crossing my legs with a grin. "What brings you two here?"

Luke dropped into an armchair. "Picking up my wife."

Gabriel stayed on his feet, stone-faced, but I knew he was there for Luna.

I jumped up, bursting with energy. "Guys! I've got the best news ever!"

I threw my arms wide, my smile huge. "Isabella's pregnant! With my kid!"