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Chapter 6 Shocking News
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2025-01-13 18:13:52(Lila)
“You really didn’t have to walk me to my car,” I said, fumbling with my clutch as Nick and I made our way through the parking garage.
“And miss the chance to spend more time with my fake girlfriend? Besides, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I let you wander around a dark garage alone?”
“The kind who knows I have three security guards within shouting distance?”
He glanced at the men in black suits pretending to be invisible but watching from the corners.
“Fair point. Though I have to say, being your pretend boyfriend comes with some interesting perks. Did you see Ethan’s face when we were dancing?”
“Nick…” I blinked but couldn’t see straight, and I grabbed his arm to steady myself.
“Whoa, careful there. You okay?”
“Just dizzy. Probably shouldn’t have skipped dinner.”
“And whose fault is that?” He kept his arm around my waist as we walked. “I distinctly remember trying to get you to eat something besides champagne.”
“You sound like my brother.”
“God forbid. I’ve met Alexander Montgomery exactly once, and that was enough to last a lifetime.” He mimicked Alexander’s stern voice. “‘Nicholas Baldwin, if you’re hoping to acquire shares in Montgomery Industries through my sister, you’re wasting your time.’”
I couldn’t help laughing. “He didn’t!”
“Oh, he did. Right after threatening to have me investigated by three different agencies.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. I told him I was more interested in acquiring his sister’s smile than her shares.” Nick waggled his eyebrows. “He didn’t appreciate that one.”
Everything went blurry again, and I felt even dizzier this time. I had to stop walking as my head went fuzzy.
“Nick…”
“Lila? What’s wrong?”
“Everything’s spinning.”
His hand pressed against my forehead. “You’re burning up. That’s it, we’re going to the hospital.”
“No, I just need to lie down—”
“Not up for debate, sweetheart.” He scooped me up before I could protest. “Thompson!” he called to my head of security. “Change of plans. We’re heading to Mount Sinai.”
“Sir, we should take Ms. Montgomery’s car—”
“My Bentley’s closer, and I’m already carrying her.” I felt Nick’s voice through his shirt as he said, “Follow us there.”
Nothing felt solid anymore as he carried me to his car. I closed my eyes, trying to fight the nausea.
“Stay with me, Lila.” He settled me in the passenger seat, buckling me in. “Tell me more about how you and my nephew met.”
“Trying to distract me?”
“Is it working?”
“Maybe.” I kept my eyes closed as the car started moving. “I orchestrated our meeting at a bar.”
“Sneaky. I like it. Details, please.”
“Studied his habits for months. Learned his favorite whiskey, which nights he went out…”
“And they say I’m the scandalous Baldwin.” He laughed. “Though I have to admit, that’s amateur level compared to my time with the yacht.”
“You never actually told me how that ended.”
“She married my best friend, remember? Keep up, darling.”
“Right.” My stomach lurched as we turned a corner. “Nick?”
“Almost there. Just keep talking. Tell me why my nephew?”
“Something about him felt familiar. Like I knew him from somewhere.”
“Before you lost your memories?”
My eyes snapped open. “How did you—”
“Unlike Ethan, I actually do my research.” He glanced at me. “Eight years old, car accident, complete amnesia of everything before. Must have been terrifying.”
“I don’t remember being terrified. I don’t remember anything.”
“Nothing at all?”
“Sometimes…” I swallowed hard. “Sometimes I dream about cotton candy and someone holding my hand. But I can never see their face.”
We pulled up to the emergency entrance. Nick was out and around to my door before I could move.
“Can you walk?”
“I think so—nope.” My legs gave out as soon as I stood. Nick caught me again.
“What did I just say about not being up for debate?” He lifted me once more. “Thompson, handle the paperwork. I’ve got her.”
Nick argued with nurses about private rooms and immediate care. I drifted in and out until finally landing in a bed with monitors beeping around me.
“The doctor’s on their way,” Nick said, holding my hand. “Your brother’s been notified, but I convinced him not to storm the hospital.”
“My hero.”
“I do try. Though I have to ask—why me?”
“What?”
“At the gala. You could have grabbed any man there to make Ethan jealous. Why pick his black sheep uncle?”
“Because…my mother said so. And you were nice to me.”
“Careful there, Montgomery. Keep talking like that and I might start thinking this fake relationship is real.”
“Would that be so bad?”
His eyes widened slightly, but before he could answer, a doctor walked in.
“Ms. Montgomery? I’m Dr. Hendricks. We’ve run some tests…”
I gripped Nick’s hand tighter. “Is something wrong?”
“Not wrong, exactly.” She consulted her tablet. “Though your blood pressure is concerning, and you’re showing signs of dehydration. When was your last menstrual cycle?”
My mind raced, counting back weeks. “I…I don’t remember.”
“That’s what I thought. Congratulations, Ms. Montgomery. You’re pregnant.”
I froze. Nick’s hand tightened around mine as the room started spinning again.
Pregnant.
I was pregnant.
With Ethan’s baby.
“I’ll give you two a moment,” Dr. Hendricks said, backing out. “We’ll need to run more tests, but for now, try to stay calm.”
Calm?
I was pregnant with my ex-boyfriend’s baby while pretending to date his uncle.
Calm wasn’t even in the same universe as what I was feeling.
“Lila?” came Nick’s voice. “Talk to me.”
“I can’t be pregnant. I’m on birth control. I’ve been careful. I…”
“Breathe.” Nick pressed his forehead against our joined hands. “Just breathe. We’ll fix this.”
“We?”
“You don’t think I’m going to abandon my fake girlfriend in her hour of need, do you?”
I stared at him, this man I barely knew who already felt more dependable than anyone else in my life.
“It’s Ethan’s,” I whispered.
“I know.”
“He thinks I tried to trap him.”
“I know that too.”
“What am I going to do?”
Nick stood, still holding my hand, and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “First, you’re going to rest.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Maybe I like playing hero.” He brushed my hair back from my face. “Or maybe I just like you.”
My heart threatened to burst while I tried to make sense of it all.
I was pregnant.
With Ethan’s baby.
And his uncle was the only one holding me together as my life fell apart.
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