ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED TO THE BILLIONAIRE SINGLE DAD (Gabrielle and Damon) novel Chapter 137

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“The baby is growing perfectly but I’d advise you to take the medications religiously so you can keep your food down,” the doctor said. “Ironic, isn’t it? The last time you were here was to get an IUD.”

I was sitting in the doctor’s office with Fiorella. As promised, I let her drag me to the hospital the next morning.

“I remember,” I said quietly.

Reflecting on it, I was already pregnant at the time, but I didn’t realize it. We were still waiting for the test results when Anya’s call prompted us to leave Italy.

The doctor offered a small smile as he scribbled something down. “Life has a way of changing plans. Your hormone levels explain the nausea but stress is not helping either.”

Fiorella shifted in her seat. “So the baby is fine?”

“Yes,” the doctor replied. “But she needs to eat. Even if it is in small portions throughout the day. It could be soup, crackers, or anything light.”

I nodded even though my stomach turned at the thought.

“And you should reduce emotional stress as much as possible,” he added, looking directly at me this time. “Pregnancy is already demanding. Do not make it harder on yourself.”

If only it were that simple.

He handed me a folder with my results and a new prescription. “You are about five to six weeks along. Everything is stable.”

Five to six weeks.

I did the math in my head and pressed my lips together.

“Would you like to hear the heartbeat before you go?” He asked gently.

My throat tightened.

Fiorella squeezed my hand before I could respond.

“No,” I said.

I couldn’t bring myself to listen to the heartbeat of my child now, just in case I needed to make a hard decision later.

I hoped I didn’t.

The doctor noticed. “I do not mean to pry but you do not look happy about the baby.”

“Then don’t,” Fiorella cut in.

He turned to her and back to me. “I believe she can speak for herself.”

I held the folder tighter against my chest. “My friend is right. I don’t feel like sharing anything personal with you.”

“My apologies,” he said. “I did not mean to pry. It is part of my job to give options on any decision you might want to make.”

I nodded slowly. “I understand. If I ever make any decision in the future I’d be sure to let you know.”

Fiorella turned to me sharply.

I continued anyway. “But just in case… If I wanted to get… how long is too late?”

CHAPTER D

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I could feel her eyes boring holes into the side of my head but she didn’t intervene. She just squeezed my hand and leaned back into her seat.

“I understand what you mean,” he said calmly. “It’s overall safer to undergo the procedure in the first trimester.”

So that meant I had roughly about two months to make up my mind.

I nodded. “Thank you, Doctor.”

“You are going to be okay,” he said. “Just follow instructions, take care of yourself, and let me know whatever you decide.”

We thanked him and stepped out of the office a few minutes later.

The hallway felt brighter than before.

“You don’t really want to get rid of the baby, do you?” Fiorella asked as we walked out of the room.

I sighed. “I don’t know for sure. I just wanted to know how long I had to decide.”

We stepped into the elevator and the doors closed in front of us.

Fiorella watched me in the reflection of the mirror. “Time doesn’t make decisions easier, Gabrielle. It only makes them heavier.”

“I know,” I said quietly.

The elevator descended in silence.

When the doors opened, we walked through the lobby and out of the hospital.

The air outside felt cooler against my skin.

Fiorella turned to me when we reached the car.

“If you don’t want this baby, you don’t have to pretend you do,” she said gently. “At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you. For both of you.”

“I’m not pretending.”

“You are,” she replied. “You looked like you were holding your breath the entire time he spoke about the heartbeat.”

I looked away.

“I didn’t want to hear it,” I said.

“Because?”

“Because if I hear it, it becomes real. And if it becomes real, then I won’t be able to walk away.”

She studied my face carefully. “And do you want to walk away?”

I swallowed. “I don’t know. I don’t want to raise a child who might one day ask why her father isn’t around.”

Fiorella’s eyes softened. “You’re already thinking about the baby as a ‘her.“”

I blinked.

I hadn’t even noticed.

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“It means everything,” she said quietly.

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CHAPTER 13

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I hated that she was right.

I leaned back against the car. “I’m so scared, Fio.”

“Of being a mother?”

“No.” My voice broke slightly. “Of loving this child so much and seeing Damon in her face every single day. Of being abandoned.”

She stepped closer and pulled me into a hug. “You won’t be abandoned. You have me and you have Rhys, as irritating as he is. And I believe Damon would come around. But still, only you can make your decision.”

I held onto her tightly.

I had no idea what I would have done without her.

She pulled away and moved to the driver’s side of the car. “Let’s go get something to eat.”

I nodded and moved to get into the car when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned, gasping at a tall woman with black hair and piercing green eyes.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” she said. “My name is Phoebe Lee. Are you Gabrielle Vanderbilt?

I exchanged glances with Fiorella. “Yes. Why do you ask?”

She gave me a polite smile. “I have to talk to you about something very important.” Then her eyes moved to Fiorella. “In private, if you don’t mind.”

I shook my head. “You can say whatever you want to in front of her.”

“I understand,” Phoebe said. “But believe me, you’d want to hear this in private. We don’t have to go somewhere else, we can

talk here.”

Fiorella turned to me. “It’s fine, Gabby. I’ll stay in the car.”

Then she opened the door and got in.

I turned back to Phoebe. “So what do you want?”

“I want to talk to you about your husband,” she said. “I know you’re married to Damon Gravari.”

My interest was piqued. “And?”

“He’s not who you think he is,” she said, her eyes scanning the environment like she was expecting something or someone.” And I know what he did years ago when his name used to be Damien.”

My throat went dry, a cold spike of dread shooting through me. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

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