Chapter 33

CHAPTER 033

IVY’S POV

“Did you just say, pregnant?” my brows shot up in shock.

I took off the bedsheet off my waist, looking down at my belly. My lips hung open, but no word came. Dominic stood up from the bed, staring at me with heavy eyes. He slid his left arm into his pocket, raking his hair nervously with the other.

Just when I thought it was a new beginning for me, my past still clung tightly to me. My pulse heightened as I shook my head in denial. Unfazed by my reaction, the nurse walked over placing a pen-like knob beside my belly.

This is a joke, I thought, but the moment the monitor connected to the knob began to take reading, my heart sank into my stomach. I slowly raised my gaze to meet Dominic’s, with tears in my eyes.

“How could you keep this from me?” my voice cracked as I spoke almost inaudibly.

His brows furrowed forming lines across his forehead. His brown eyes narrowed, pleading with me not to get mad. When the nurse was done, she scribbled some notes in her file.

“Everything is alright, ma’am. Your baby is just fine,” she smiled at me, taking her leave again.

It still felt like a dream. Perhaps I was trapped in one of my unconscious episodes but sadly, this was my reality. I placed my hand over my belly to feel it.

“How could I not know you were in there,” I whimpered, feeling the pain and guilt stab my heart like an arrow to the chest.

The fact I couldn’t tell how it came about broke me. On second thought, since it was in there, that means I had a love life. Perhaps, I had a husband. What if I had other kids? And now, I won’t be able to remember them because of my amnesia.

Frustration crawled up to my chest, I began to tear up.

“Hey! Hey! You don’t have to try to cry!” Dominic hushed, walking over to my bedside to console me.

“Get off me!” I blurted. “It’s all your fault! “ I yelled. “If you had been more careful,  I wouldn't be in this situation. What if I lost my child? Huh?” my hand bounced off his chest as I pounded in frustration.

“It’s okay. I’m sorry! If I would apologize every single day to tell you how sorry I am, then I will,” he said.

Those words were like ice to my raging heart. Who is this guy? Why is he this gentle with me even when I pour all my rage on him? The thoughts cut across my mind but I was too sober to ponder on it.

I finally crashed into his chest, sobbing. His arm engulfed the whole of me like I was just a teddy while he gently stroked my hair.

“Why me?” I buried my face in his chest, muffling my voice.

“You don’t have to cry, Ivy. I’m here for you and I promise to keep you and your child safe,” He whispered empathetically into my ear, planting a kiss on the crown of my head.

While he still embraced me, someone walked in.

“Wow, isn’t it a beautiful scene to see both of you getting along?” Dr. Chelsea grinned as she walked in, dropping her bag by the cabinet unaware of what was going on.

I raised my head off his chest, meeting her gaze with teary eyes.

“What’s wrong?” she queried, her tone laced with worry.

I sniffled, keeping my tone calm. “When were you planning to tell me that I was pregnant?” I threw the question at her like a bomb.

Her eyes flew open, falling on Dominic who just stared back at her without saying a word.

“Well…” she began but was cut off her intended speech by Dominic

“I’m sorry to cut you off, but you can call her Ivy now. We already figured out a new name for her,” Dominic interrupted.

“Oh, that’s cute,” She commended, closing the gap between us. “First off, I’d  like to apologize for not informing you. But you need to understand that based on the severity of your trauma and the fact your blood pressure and pulse rate was a bit unstable, I couldn’t afford to break such news until I can ascertain that you are very okay to take the news,” She explained.

“You were in really bad shape and Mr. Dominic here could attest to that fact.”

I shot a side glance at him and saw him nodding to agreement. Even though her explanation made sense, I still feigned anger.

“But I’ve been doing well for a couple of weeks now, wasn’t it enough to let me in on my health status?” I thundered.

Dr. Chelsea heaved a sigh. “I apologize, Ivy. I was going to inform you,” she began to smile. “But on a serious note, pregnancy is not something that could be hidden. You’d definitely find out,” She teased. "Thank goodness your baby is fine and congratulations you are already five months gone," she announced.

I felt light in my chest yet again, and my lips gave way to a small smile. Amid the tension from the unfolding of events, I felt happy that I wasn't alone. Dominic made sure I had everything needed. He was present and I couldn't thank him enough for it.

“Please, no more tears,” Chelsea added gently. “Stress isn’t good for you or the baby.”

I nodded faintly, and she excused herself, giving Dominic and me the room again. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving silence between us.

Dominic leaned against the cabinet, with his arms crossed in front of him and an annoying smirk on his lips that made me roll my eyes and pout playfully.

“There is something very distinct about you,” he pulled away from the cabinet, walking towards me.

"And what is that?" My forehead folded.

“I have never met any lady who cries a lot like you do. You’re such a crybaby.”

My head snapped toward him, heat rushing to my cheeks. “I am not!” I retorted.

"Hahaha..look who's protesting. Can you count how many times you've cried since you met me? One minute you’re yelling at me, the next you’re bawling in my chest. Admit it! you are a cry baby and you need me around to keep you stable,” his chest puffed with pride.

"Unbelievable!" I gasped, grabbing the pillow beside me and threw it at him. He dodged, laughing at me. "I hate you!" I struggled to keep a frown but I couldn't hold back the laughter.

“See? I knew you had laughter hiding under all those tears,” he teased, winking.

As our laughter settled, Dominic’s tone softened. “Speaking of keeping up with this smile, I have something for you.”

“Something? Seriously?” My eyes widened in shock.

“Yeah, a present,” he said simply, nodding with a smile.

I was short of words to say. I could only scoff in amazement. Finally, I managed to speak. “Okay, so what's the present?”

“It wouldn't be a surprise anymore if I told you what it was,” He said, already reaching for my wheelchair. “Let me start by apologizing. I'm going to be inconveniencing you because the present is in my car. ”

"Nooo!" I grumbled. "I don't want to step outside. Please!" I pleaded, playfully but he had already wheeled my chair closer to the bed and crouched in front of me.

“Come on Miss, let’s get you some fresh air. You’ve been cooped up in here for too long."

He reached for me, throwing my arm around his neck. There I was, up close to his face again. My nerves sparked as my eyes traced his face down to his lips.

"If you stare too at my lips, then you'd be owing me a kiss," he teased, smacking his lips.

"Gosh! you are ridiculous," I busted into a loud laugh as he swept me off the bed into the wheelchair.

The moment we got out of the reception, the scent of fresh air hit my nostrils. My grip tightened around the chair as I dragged in a long inhale. I took a look around. This was my first time stepping outside since I got here. I chuckled at the sight of people moving about, the gentle sway of the flowers planted by the side. Everything felt refreshing.

"You like it out here. Don't you?" Dominic smiled at my expression.

My cheeks turned pink. "Yeah, I do," I nodded as he wheeled me toward the parking lot. He reached for his car key from his pocket, pressing the alarm. A sleek gray car blinked its light at me.

My eyes widened. “This is yours?”

He shrugged. “Come on! It’s just a car,” he grinned

“Just a car? Please stop trying to be modest here,” I laughed, shaking my head. “It’s beautiful.”

"Thank you," he leaned in a bow before walking toward the car. He opened the back door, reaching for something. When he got out, he held a neatly wrapped box in his hands.

My brows shot up. “For me?”

“Of course?” he smirked, placing it on my lap.

"Thank you so much," I said, already tearing the wrapping paper off of it. He just stood before me with his hands crossed. The moment the box came in view, I gasped. “No way!” A shiny new mobile phone rested inside.

Dominic grinned at my reaction. “Well, I figured it would be boring staying in the ward alone sometimes, so I figured you needed a little company. Calls, music, games… and of course, you can bug me whenever you want.”

Joy surged through me. Without thinking, I threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, Dominic! This is amazing!”

He stiffened slightly at the sudden embrace, then relaxed, wrapping his arms around me. His warmth, his scent, the steadiness of his chest—it all grounded me. For a moment, it felt perfect.

But then a sporty car roared past in a flash, tires screeching. The sound ripped through the air like a warning.

Dominic broke off the hug, his eyes following the vehicle. He froze in shock.

“Fuck!” he cursed under his breath, his grip tightening on my shoulders.

I pulled back, alarmed. “What? What’s wrong?”

But his gaze stayed locked on the disappearing car.

"We need to get you inside, now."