Chapter 92: Unexpected News
RAISEL – POV
“Soren!”
He looked up and smiled. “I was wrapping up work.”
I wanted to ask what was on his mind, but I figured I’d wait until we got home. The car ride was unusually quiet.
As soon as we stepped inside, Soren excused himself and went straight to his office. I freshened up and was about to start cooking something for us when I saw him sitting on the couch, deep in thought.
“Soren, you seem distant... and worried,” I said softly.
He looked up. “I’m trying to figure out what to do with this pendrive.”
“Destroy it,” I suggested.
“No, I’m not thinking about that,” he replied quickly.
“Then what?”
“Killian might have a copy... and what if he—” he paused, clearly troubled.
“He said he didn’t, but still, being cautious is smart. Just... don’t let it eat you up,” I said. “Maybe things won’t go bad. You have me.
We’ll be okay. We’ll be happy. My mom will be here too.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“What’s that look for?” I asked.
“You called Susan ‘Mom’ instead of her name,” he said with a small smile.
“Yeah…” I smiled too. “Subconsciously, I guess I feel her warmth. Or maybe I’m just desperate to feel like I have a family again. I want to rebuild those bonds... but I’m scared too.”
“Yet you’re brave enough to open your heart to them,” he said gently.
“Isn’t that foolish?” I asked, my voice uncertain. “Most people shut their hearts, stop trusting, stay guarded.”
“That’s exactly what makes you different,” Soren said. “You’ve held onto your good side. Even after everything, you still believe in people. And now, with all you’ve been through, you know who deserves your trust.”
He pulled me into his arms.
“Thanks,” I whispered, resting my head on his chest. “Maybe I needed to hear that.”
He held me tighter.
One Month Later
Susan was home, and even Roacher had come by. The condo didn’t feel so empty anymore. It felt... warm, full, alive.
But I hadn’t felt quite right these past two days.
“You shouldn’t have come in today—you look pale,” Gwen said, her brows furrowed.
My stomach churned again, and I rushed to the bathroom.
“You okay?” Gwen followed me in, concerned.
“I think I’ve come down with the flu,” I said, sighing.
“I’m calling Mr. Dalton. He needs to cancel the UK meeting and come back to New York.”
“No,” I said quickly. “Don’t call Soren. This meeting is important, and I don’t want to worry him.”
“I’m taking you to the doctor. No arguments,” Gwen insisted.
I sighed but didn’t protest further. She drove me to the clinic, and I tried not to overthink things while the doctors ran some tests.
Hazel and Fiora showed up to support me, even though I told them it was just the flu.
A nurse called out, “Miss Smith?”
“Yes?” I stepped forward.
“Is your husband, boyfriend, or any family member with you?”
“Not right now, but I have friends here. Why?” I asked.
“You’re pregnant,” she said.
I blinked, stunned. “What? That... that can’t be possible. I have an autoimmune condition…”
“You’re perfectly healthy,” the doctor confirmed gently.
But a year ago, when I tried to conceive with Alaric, I was told that very condition made it unlikely. I remember how it upset him. He
said he’d stay with me, told me it didn’t matter... but after that, he grew distant. Deep down, I always wondered if that was the real reason he left.
“Please rest, Miss Smith,” the doctor added. “Avoid stress. Overworking could endanger both you and the baby.”
I nodded, trying to hold it together, but tears welled up—some from joy, some from fear.
“We’re here for you, Raisel,” Hazel said, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“Yes,” Fiora added. “This is beautiful news. You’ve wanted a child for so long.”
I nodded, wiping my tears, offering a small, trembling smile.
But deep inside, I wondered...
How would Soren take this?
Does he even want a child?