Chapter Twelve

Vanessa's

In a dreamlike haze, I found myself entangled with Liam in his hotel room, our passion palpable. Just as the heat of the moment peaked, an enraged Richard burst through the door, his fury radiating.

The shock jolted me awake, my breath hitched, the tangled sheets of the hospital bed clinging uncomfortably to my clammy skin. Disoriented, I blinked at the stark white ceiling, the sterile scent of disinfectant stinging my nostrils and the rhythmic beeping of a nearby machine.

A hand brushed against mine, warm and familiar. Paloma sat beside me, her face a mask of worry etched with fatigue.

She grasped my hand tightly and shouted, "Doctor! She's awake!" Turning to me, her eyes softened with relief. "Girl, you scared the living daylight out of me," she said, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper as she turned back to me. "How are you feeling?"

Though my mind was foggy, I managed to murmur, "I feel better."

A soft chuckle came from my left. Liam. He stood beside the bed, his face etched with concern that slowly morphed into a hesitant smile as I met his gaze. "Glad you're feeling better," he murmured.

His presence, a stark contrast to the sterile environment, triggered a kaleidoscope of fragmented memories. The pool, the crushing heat, it all came flooding back. Then, the dream. Vivid and raw, a stolen moment with Liam that felt both exhilarating and terrifying.

Just then, a middle-aged female doctor appeared at the foot of the bed. Her voice was calm and reassuring as she addressed me. "I'd like to speak with the patient alone, please."

Paloma's hand tightened on mine. "Why? Does she have cancer?" The question tumbled out in a panicked rush, echoing the fear that instantly gripped me. God, please no.

The doctor's smile was gentle. "No, there's no cancer. I just have a few things to discuss with the patient privately."

A wave of relief washed over Paloma. "Thank God," she breathed, squeezing my hand. "I'll be right outside, okay? Call me if you need anything." She gave Liam a hesitant glance before exiting the room, pulling the door closed softly behind her.

Liam lingered for a moment, his eyes searching mine. Then, with a silent nod, he followed Paloma out. The only sound was the steady beep of the monitor beside me.

I finally turned to the doctor,I cleared my throat, forcing myself to meet the doctor's gaze. "Alright, doctor," I said, my voice hoarse. "Give it to me straight. What's wrong with me?"

She smiled, a gesture meant to comfort. "There's nothing seriously wrong, young lady. You appear to be allergic to chlorine, which explains your earlier reaction at the pool. And... you're pregnant."

My world tilted on its axis. Her words hit me like a sledgehammer. "What? That can't be true," I exclaimed, my voice rising with panic.

Her face remained calm, professional. "It is true," she replied calmly. "You are two weeks pregnant."

Dread seeped into every fiber of my being. The news slammed into me, a tidal wave of emotions threatening to drown me. A baby. This was the last thing I needed, the last complication I could handle right now. The timing couldn't be worse.

Seeing my distress, the doctor's tone softened further. "Vanessa, you have options. You can choose to keep the baby or not. The decision is entirely yours."

My mind raced, each thought a jumble of fear and uncertainty. Pregnant. The word echoed in my head, conjuring images of a future I hadn't planned for. How could this be happening now, when everything felt so uncertain?

"Options?" I echoed, trying to grasp the reality of my situation. "What do you mean, options?"

The doctor's expression was kind, understanding. "You have the right to make a choice about your body and your future. Whether you decide to keep the baby or not, there are resources and support systems available to help you."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I grappled with the enormity of the situation. It just occurred to me that Liam is the father of this child growing inside me.

"Vanessa," the doctor continued, her voice gentle but firm, "it's important to take some time to think about what you want. There's no rush to make a decision right now."

I nodded, though my mind was still spinning. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

The doctor placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You're not alone in this. Talk to your loved ones, seek advice, and make the choice that feels right for you."

The door clicked shut behind the doctor, leaving me alone in the sterile white room. Pregnant. The word echoed in the silence, heavy and unexpected. My mind raced, a tangled mess of emotions. Liam. Richard. The fragile web of my relationships stretched thin, threatening to snap under the weight of this revelation.

How could I tell them? How would they react? Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the crisp lines of the hospital room décor. The sound of footsteps drew me back, and I hastily wiped away the escaping tears.

Paloma and Liam re-entered the room, their faces etched with concern.

Paloma spoke first, her voice laced with worry. "Vanessa, what did the doctor say?"

I took a shuddering breath, willing myself to be strong. "She… she said I'm just allergic to chlorine," I lied, my voice strained. Liam's presence made it impossible for me to tell the whole truth right now.

Paloma's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh! That's awful, but at least it's treatable. You just have to stay away from pool water. Still," she continued, her gaze softening, "you looked really upset. Why were you crying?"

Both Liam and Paloma awaited my answer, their eyes filled with unspoken questions, I decided to act my way out telling them the truth. A choked sob escaped my lips. "It's the hospital bill," I managed through the tears. "I don't know how I'll ever afford it."

Liam's expression shifted. He reached out, placing a comforting hand on mine. "Don't worry about that, Vanessa. I'll handle the bills. Just focus on getting better, okay?"

Relief washed over me, warm and unexpected. "Thank you, Liam," I whispered.

He offered a reassuring smile. "Don't mention it. I should head back to the hotel, though. Take care of yourselves, ladies."

With that, Liam left the room, leaving a charged silence in his wake. Paloma's eyes followed him, then returned to me, filled with a new understanding.

"That guy definitely likes you," she said, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "The way he rushed to your rescue at the pool…it was like something out of a movie." She shuddered dramatically. "It was nothing short of heroic, no doubt about it."

I squeezed her hand, the weight of the secret growing heavier with each passing moment. "There's something else, Paloma," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "There is something I have to tell you."

Paloma leaned closer, her eyes wide with anticipation. "What is it?"

Tears streamed down my face as I revealed the truth, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I'm not just allergic to chlorine, Paloma. I'm pregnant. And I'm almost certain… Liam is the father."

Paloma's jaw dropped. The room seemed to shrink, the air thick with the weight of my confession. "Whoa," she finally breathed, her voice filled with a mixture of shock and concern.