Doctor's appointment

Doctor's appointment
BEN POV

Maybe it was the right thing to do, I thought to myself as I scribbled down my signature on my resignation papers. I looked at Alessia, who was peacefully sleeping on the sofa. She had a bit of a fever, so she missed school today.

A part of me was asking if I was doing the right thing. Asher couldn’t stand my mere existence, and leaving New Way Group was the best decision. I worked hard to become CEO, but my sleepless shifts and sacrifices got swept under the rug, all because of a mere golden boy. As they say, blood is thicker than water. I wasn’t even a Rebel to begin with.

A lone tear rolled down my cheek, and I wiped it away hastily because this wasn’t the time to be weak. I closed my laptop after sending my resignation letter to my grandfather since Asher wanted the hardcopy documents. Knowing his ego, he would gladly display them in a picture frame and place them on the wall for everyone to see.

My phone began ringing, and my grandfather’s name flashed on the screen. He must have gotten my email. I cut the call. I was officially jobless now. There was a knock on the door, and I snapped out of my thoughts as I got up and went to answer it.

As the door opened, I was stunned to see Nolan. Our eyes locked in a frenzy.

“Nolan?”

He gave me a small smile, scratching the back of his head nervously.

“I just wanted to make sure you and Alessia were alright...and, umm, I thought we could go for an official ultrasound to check the baby if it’s okay.”

I opened the door wider and made room.

“Come in.”

He gave me a stern nod and walked inside.

“I have no one to watch Alessia Marie...and she’s not feeling well.”

His gaze softened as he touched her forehead.

“Her dad could watch her.”

My heart skipped a beat.

“What?”

He stroked Alessia’s hair and turned to look at me.

“I know that he’s in New York; we kind of met yesterday.”

I frowned.

“The point I’m trying to make is that Ambrose isn’t just my father...he’s also Alessia’s father, and sooner or later she will eventually know the truth, so let them bond.”

I sighed softly.

“They already have a bond...back in Italy, they were inseparable.”

He nodded quietly. He took out his phone, tapping for a few minutes.

“I just texted him; he’s on his way here.”

My eyes widened in shock.

“This is a mess...” he sighed deeply and stepped into the kitchen.

I sat down as well.

“Where did you meet your dad?” I finally asked.

“New Way Group,” he shrugged carelessly.

“My father wanted to talk to Asher...so that he stops making your life a living hell.”

I can fight my own battles; Ambrose didn’t have to go create a scene.

“He doesn’t have to worry about Asher anymore since I resigned.”

I could see the shock written all over his face.

“Why would you take the easy way out? The Benedykta I know wouldn’t give up her place in the company without a fight. You worked so hard to get where you are, so don’t throw it all away because of a spoiled man-child.”

I poured myself a glass of water.

“You’re right; the old Benedykta wouldn’t let anyone push her around, not even her own family, but I’m not that person anymore...I’m now a mother who’s practically unemployed and pregnant with her baby daddy’s son.”

He sighed deeply.

“If money is the problem, I’m always here to chip in... you and Alessia could always move back in now that you’re expecting.”

“Nolan, I—” the doorbell rang, cutting me off, and Nolan went to answer the door.

Ambrose walked in, looking between Nolan and me.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”

His gaze lingered on my face; it then settled on Alessia.

“I’ll take care of her...you guys should get going,” he muttered quietly.

I could feel the tension in the air. Baby daddy and ex-husband in the same room.

Yikes.

It was definitely a recipe for disaster.

I excused myself and went to change into something more comfortable. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, tying my hair into a messy bun. I took a deep breath to calm myself. When I felt ready, I found Ambrose sitting beside Alessia.

“Where’s Nolan?”

“He said he’d wait for you in the car.”

He carried Alessia in his arms as he led her to her room.

“Seeing her here with you feels like the family we always dreamt about...before the accident...before those long eight years.”

I blinked away the tears.

Curse these pregnancy hormones.

“Piccolo Fiore?”

I stopped in my tracks but didn’t turn around to face him.

“We need to talk once you’re back home.”

I haven’t heard that name for the past eight years...hearing it right now was raging storms within me. I nodded and walked away.

The car ride to the hospital was mostly silent. My heart was pounding when Nolan finally pulled into the hospital parking lot.

“You ready?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I whispered, stepping out of the vehicle.

Those memories still flashed in my mind—lying on the hospital bed as the doctor pushed up my t-shirt, revealing my flat stomach. Nolan sat across the room, watching with curious eyes. This time, I wasn’t pregnant with Alessia Marie. I was pregnant with his baby.

“I want you to relax, Ms. Rebel...”

I nodded quietly and closed my eyes tightly, blocking out the thumps of my own pounding heart. I felt something cold being smeared on my belly, making me shiver.

Then I heard it.

A heartbeat.

Faint, then loud.

My eyes slowly opened.

“Looks like your baby is very excited...” the doctor chimed. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked at the small screen.

It’s alive.

Nolan stood beside me and grasped my hand.

“I would tell you the sex of the baby, but it’s still a bit early to really know.”

She printed three pictures of the ultrasound and gave them to us. The doctor left the room to give us some space.

“I know this wasn’t planned, Ben...but I’ve always wanted to be a father. You might not say it, but deep down, I can tell that you and my father still have feelings for each other...and you carrying my child just complicates everything.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“What are you trying to say?” I whispered.

“You don’t have to feel obligated to have this baby.”

“Nolan,” I warned.

“I can’t have this conversation right now,” I mumbled and wiped the gel off my belly.

“Just drop me off at Clay’s; I need my best friend right now.”

He nodded quietly, and we left the hospital.

Did he really want me to get an abortion?