Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 196

Chapter 196: Chapter 196 Four Hearts Beat

Ivy’s POV

The week melted into a careful routine of reviewing territorial reports and quiet evenings in our heavily fortified penthouse, both Caleb and I settling into the rhythm of our new existence as the undisputed rulers of the Thorne empire. One morning brought Lieutenant Walter knocking on our reinforced bedroom door with news that made my heart leap with anticipation.

"The compound is fully secured, Mrs. Thorne. You can move in whenever you’re ready."

We spent the weekend orchestrating our relocation with military precision that would make even seasoned capos impressed. Caleb insisted on deploying our most trusted soldiers as movers while I directed operations from an armored chair, watching our loyal associates transform chaos into order. By late that weekend, we were hosting an impromptu gathering in our new compound’s secured backyard, the scent of grilled steaks mixing with gunpowder residue and nervous laughter from our inner circle.

I smoothed down my new flowing dress, grateful for the extra fabric around my expanding middle. Being well into my pregnancy meant my regular clothes had become instruments of torture, cutting into my growing waistline like razor wire. The shopping expedition with the wives earlier had been a tactical necessity, not luxury.

But exhaustion clung to me like dried blood these days. Caleb had started his relentless campaign to get me to step back from family operations, his protective instincts firing on all cylinders every time he caught me yawning during strategy meetings or rubbing my aching lower back.

"This pregnancy feels different, tesoro," he’d say, concern etching deep lines around his dangerous eyes. "With Max, you were unstoppable. Now you can barely make it through lunch without collapsing."

He wasn’t wrong. My first pregnancy had been smooth as silk compared to this bone-deep fatigue that made even reviewing ledgers feel monumental. I’d agreed to discuss it with Dr. Taylor at my upcoming appointment.

The morning of the appointment arrived with Caleb practically vibrating with barely contained nervous energy. He paced our bedroom like a caged predator while I got dressed, checking his titanium watch constantly.

"We should leave early," he announced for the third time. "Traffic might be heavy."

"Caleb, we live a short drive from the private medical facility."

"But what if there’s a police checkpoint? Or a rival family surveillance? What if someone tries to—"

I silenced him with a kiss that tasted like espresso and violence. "Breathe. Everything’s under control."

Dr. Taylor greeted us with her trademark professionalism at the family’s private medical wing, her trained eyes immediately dropping to my midsection. "Ivy, look at you. That belly is significantly more prominent than it was with Max at this stage."

"Trust me, I’ve noticed," I said, settling onto the examination table surrounded by bulletproof walls. "I feel like I’m carrying a concrete block. And I’m constantly starving. I wake up in the early morning hours demanding entire meals."

Caleb chuckled darkly. "She devoured an entire roasted chicken yesterday. By herself. With her bare hands."

"Every pregnancy tells its own story," Dr. Taylor said, preparing her equipment with surgical precision. "Let’s run some blood work first, then we’ll take a look at this little one with the ultrasound."

As she drew blood with expert efficiency, Caleb drummed his scarred fingers against his thigh, radiating anticipation like a loaded gun. When she finally wheeled over the ultrasound machine, he practically launched himself out of his chair like a missile.

Dr. Taylor applied the cold gel to my belly, her expression shifting as she moved the probe across my skin. The easy professionalism faded, replaced by intense concentration. She paused, adjusted the screen, then looked again with surgical focus.

My stomach dropped like a stone. "Is something wrong?"

"Caleb, please sit down," she said quietly, not taking her eyes off the monitor.

"What? Why? Is the baby in danger?" Caleb’s voice pitched higher with lethal edge.

"Sit down first."

Caleb sank into the chair beside me like a controlled detonation, his hand finding mine in a desperate grip. I could feel his pulse hammering against my palm like automatic gunfire.

Dr. Taylor turned the screen toward us, pointing with her stylus like indicating targets on a battlefield map. "Do you see these two distinct sacs here?"

"Twins?" I whispered, my throat suddenly dry as dust.

She shook her head slowly. "Not twins, Ivy. Quadruplets."

The word hung in the air like smoke from a discharged weapon.

"Four?" Caleb’s voice cracked like splintering glass. "Four babies?"

"Four babies," Dr. Taylor confirmed, adjusting the image with clinical precision. "Two here, two there. Two separate placentas, which is actually excellent news for their development."

"Four babies, Mommy? Like a whole army?" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

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