Chapter 04

NORA'S POV

Her question hung in the air. Where was I going to go?

Genevieve stood by the window, her back to me. She turned around with a soft smile. “What’s the plan, Nora?”

I sighed. “Honestly? I’ve been thinking about what I used to love before... before Sam, before this life. Remember how I used to paint?”

Her eyes lit up. “Of course! You doodled everywhere, even on my notebooks!” She laughed, and we both smiled at the memory. "Don’t tell me you’ve started painting again?"

I nodded. “Yeah. It’s been keeping me sane. Actually, I applied to an art company abroad.”

Genevieve’s eyes widened. “Nora! That’s amazing! Where? When?”

“Paris. I got the offer a few weeks ago,” I said quietly.

Gen hugged me happily shouting for glee that I couldn’t help but laugh too.

“You’re going to crush me Gen”, I shouted, laughing hard, forgetting I had been sad few minutes ago.

“Paris! Tell me everything.”

Just as I was about to respond, a wave of dizziness hit me. The room spun, and I clutched the edge of the bed.

“Nora? What’s wrong?” Genevieve’s voice was full of concern.

“I don’t know... I’ve just been feeling off,” I admitted, rubbing my temple.

“You’ve been pale for days. Let’s go see my family’s doctor. He’ll know what to do,” she insisted.

“Your family’s doctor?” I frowned. Sam had never once mentioned taking me to see him. In fact, I always went to public hospitals like everyone else. Sam never thought I should be part of that world, I realized bitterly.

We arrived at the clinic, and Genevieve insisted she was going to wait outside. “Look, I already called him, he knows you're coming. You’ll get better answers if you go in alone.”

I stepped into the consultation room, feeling a knot of tension in my stomach. The nurse told me to feel comfortable that the doctor would soon be with me. I was expecting an elderly man but when the door opened, my breath caught in my throat.

It was Daniel.

My high school crush. My stomach fluttered. I hadn’t seen him in years. He looked different—better, somehow. His dark hair was longer, brushing the collar of his white coat, and his deep brown eyes, the same ones I used to dream about in high school, were warm and kind. He was taller, broader, with a confidence that made him seem both commanding and approachable. His sharp jawline and the way his lips curled into a soft smile stirred something deep inside me. He was effortlessly handsome, the kind of man who could make you feel seen just by looking at you.

“Nora?” His voice was soft, rich, and filled with surprise. “Wow, it’s been a long time.”

I managed a nervous smile. “Daniel... I didn’t know you were the Bennetts’ family doctor.”

He chuckled, a low, comforting sound that made my stomach flutter. “Yeah, small world, huh? It's really nice to see you again.”

He paused and stammered. “You look…you look even more beautiful than ever”, he said, his voice tight. I smiled softly but said nothing. 

He then drew a chair and sat on it, moving close to me. “Let’s…uh…let's see what’s going on.”

He was so close to me that if I wanted to reach out and touch his hair, I could have. 

“So,” he said, leaning forward slightly, his eyes locked on mine, “tell me what’s been happening.”

Distracted by his beautiful eyes, I stuttered as I explained how I’d been feeling dizzy, and he listened intently, nodding, his gaze never wavering from mine. There was something calming about the way he focused on me, like nothing else in the world mattered in that moment.

After a few more questions, Daniel’s expression turned serious. “Nora, when was your last period?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “I’m not sure... I’ve been so stressed I didn’t notice.”

He paused, his brows furrowing slightly. “I think we should run a pregnancy test. Just to rule it out.”

Pregnancy.

The word hit me like a tidal wave. Could I really be pregnant? Now, of all times? I nodded, too shocked to speak. I watched mechanically as Daniel drew my blood into a vial. 

He left the room to run the test, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts. What would I do if I was pregnant? Could I handle it? And Sam—how would he react? Did I even want him to know?

When Daniel returned, his expression was soft, but serious. He sat down next to me, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him.

“Nora... the test came back positive.”

I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. I was pregnant. My chest tightened as a mix of emotions flooded through me—fear, confusion, disbelief.

Daniel reached out and gently touched my arm, his thumb brushing my skin in a way that sent a shiver through me. His touch was tender, grounding. “I know this is a lot to take in,” he said softly. “But you’re not alone. I’m here for you, whatever you need. I'll prescribe some drugs for you…”

We conversed for a while after that like old friends.

“So,” Daniel said after a pause, a small smile playing on his lips, “Paris, huh?”

I nodded, my heart still pounding. “Yeah. I need to focus on my career. I’m not ready for... anything else.”

His smile didn’t fade. “That’s okay. I get it. Actually, I’m going to Paris too. I’ve been accepted into a medical fellowship there.”

My eyes widened. “Wait, you’re going to Paris?”

He chuckled. “Yeah. Looks like we might be seeing a lot of each other.”

Something in my chest fluttered at the thought, but I quickly pushed it down. This wasn’t the time to get swept up in feelings. Not with everything going on.

Just as I was starting to relax, something clicked in my mind, and my heart sank.

Daniel was Sam’s family doctor.

My eyes widened in panic, and I grabbed his arm. “Daniel… Can Sam not know about this?”

I didn’t want Sam involved. Not now, not ever. He couldn’t be part of this new chapter in my life. I needed to protect my baby, protect myself. I couldn’t let him know. I didn't need the complication a baby would bring. We were divorced and I need it to stay that way. I was done with Sam.

Before Daniel could respond, my phone rang. The name on the screen made my heart stop.

It was Sam.