Chapter 120 I'll be Right Here

Chapter 120 I'll be Right Here
Mia’s eyes widened, her breath caught somewhere between her chest and throat. “Pregnant?” she echoed, her voice trembling. “Are you serious?”

Claus’s gaze softened as he nodded, slowly. “Yes. The doctor confirmed it himself.”

For a moment, the sterile hum of the hospital room filled the silence between them. Mia’s fingers gripped the edge of the bed as her mind raced. The words hung in the air, heavy, impossible.

“I…” She blinked rapidly, trying to find the ground beneath her thoughts. “I don’t even know what to say, Claus.”

“I didn’t expect you to,” he replied quietly, his tone threaded with care. “But I didn’t want you to hear it from anyone else.”

Before she could respond, the door creaked open. The doctor walked back in with a calm authority, flipping through a chart in his hand. Mia immediately straightened, her emotions buried under a fragile composure. Claus took a step back, his jaw tightening.

The doctor smiled kindly, glancing from one to the other. “Here is her medication,” he began, handing a small prescription slip to Claus. “Please see to it that she uses it as directed.” His eyes lifted, his expression suddenly softer. “I understand this might come as a surprise, but it’s crucial you both understand the importance of her health—especially now.”

Claus nodded immediately. “Of course, Doctor. We’ll make sure of it.”

The doctor continued, glancing at Mia with professional gentleness. “Firstly, Mia, I’m not sure if your husband has already told you what I mentioned earlier—”

Mia’s head snapped up. “My—what?”

“Husband,” the doctor repeated matter-of-factly. “He said he was your husband when I asked about your emergency contact.”

Mia turned sharply to Claus, her eyes wide. He lifted his hands in quick surrender. “It’s not what it sounds like.”

The doctor, unaware of the tension, pressed on. “You must avoid any alcohol or heavy medication from this point forward. It can harm the baby’s development.”

Mia nodded faintly, still too stunned to argue. The word baby kept echoing in her head like a distant song she couldn’t place.

Claus, recovering his calm, stepped closer to the doctor. “We’ll make sure she follows everything. She won’t be alone in this.”

The doctor smiled approvingly. “That’s good to hear. Regular prenatal check-ups are essential. Mia, your body will go through a lot of changes. It’s important we monitor your progress closely.”

Mia only nodded again, her mind spinning. She barely heard the rest—something about diet, rest, vitamins. Her world felt like it had tilted off its axis.

Finally, the doctor turned to Claus. “Sir, she’ll need emotional support. This is a delicate period for her. Please make sure she doesn’t feel overwhelmed or isolated.”

Claus nodded, his voice steady. “I’ll be there for her every step of the way.”

The doctor gave a final reassuring smile and exited the room, leaving an ocean of silence behind him.

Mia’s eyes flicked to Claus. “My husband?” she repeated, incredulous.

Claus rubbed the back of his neck, awkwardly. “Yeah… about that.”

“You lied to the doctor?”

“I just—played along,” he said quickly. “He assumed, and I didn’t correct him. It wasn’t planned, I swear.”

Her expression softened a little, though confusion still clouded her features. “Why would you even do that?”

He exhaled slowly. “Because in that moment, it felt like the only way to protect you. To make sure you were cared for.”

Mia’s lips parted. “Claus…”

He smiled faintly, though his eyes were sincere. “I know it’s a lot to take in, Mia. But we’ll figure this out—together. I meant what I said in there.”

She hesitated, then whispered, “But… Claus, I don’t even know who the father is.” Her voice broke on the last word.

His reply came soft and immediate. “I didn’t say any of this because I thought the baby was mine.” He shook his head, taking a small step closer. “I just want to be here for you. I want to give you the life you once dreamed about. The one you wrote about in here.”

He tapped the small leather diary lying on the bedside table. The diary that had once been her refuge.

Mia looked at it, then at him. “Why?” she asked quietly. “Why do you care so much, Claus?”

He reached out, his hand finding hers—steady, warm, grounding. “Because you’re not just someone I’m protecting anymore, Mia. You’re someone I choose to protect. You don’t have to face this alone.”

Her throat tightened. The sincerity in his voice broke through the haze of confusion. For the first time in what felt like forever, she didn’t feel entirely lost.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “We’ll face whatever comes, together. Like we always have.”

Mia’s eyes glistened. She didn’t trust herself to speak, so she simply nodded, a small tear sliding down her cheek.

Claus caught it with his thumb. “You’re stronger than you think,” he murmured.