I Slapped My Fiancé—Then Married His Billionaire Nemesis novel Chapter 376

**TITLE: The Attention 376**
**CONTENT: Chapter 376 Breaking News**

Ashton made it a point to visit the ranch whenever he could squeeze it into his busy schedule. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that with each passing day, he was becoming more and more childlike.

Every evening, after he carefully carried me up the stairs to our bedroom, he would settle beside me, his demeanor shifting into something serious and almost comical as he began to lecture our unborn children.

There I would be, half-reclined on the pillows, while Ashton leaned over slightly, one hand firmly planted on the mattress beside my waist. His face was a canvas of concentration, as if he genuinely believed our little ones could grasp every word he uttered to my belly.

It was a bit absurd, but I couldn’t deny that it warmed my heart.

In those quiet moments, wrapped in the stillness of the night, I felt a wave of tenderness wash over me. I reached out, gently caressing my stomach, musing to myself, ‘Your dad truly loves you both. He’s going to be an amazing father.’

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, a faint flutter in my belly drew my attention. Ashton halted mid-sentence, his eyes widening with curiosity.

I glanced down, watching in awe as a small bump rose and fell beneath the delicate fabric of my nightdress.

This wasn’t the first time I had felt those little movements, but each occurrence felt like a sprinkle of magic.

“My babies are smart. They can understand what their dad’s saying,” Ashton proclaimed, his voice brimming with pride.

He reached out, his palm gently resting on my stomach.

The moment his hand made contact, the spot where the bump had just been seemed to lift again, as if responding to his touch, pressing softly against his palm.

“See? The baby’s saying hello to me,” he declared, beaming.

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the cozy room.

Ashton looked at me, his expression a mix of confusion and delight.

“You really have no idea, do you?” I teased, a playful smile dancing on my lips. “That’s not the baby’s hand, it’s their bum. They’re just stretching. I’ve actually looked this up.”

Rather than being annoyed, Ashton appeared completely captivated by the moment. He kept his hand there, lightly stroking my belly as if he were engaged in the most fascinating game imaginable.

Initially, my belly responded with little kicks, but soon enough, it seemed the baby grew tired. The movements slowed and eventually ceased altogether.

Yet, Ashton wasn’t ready to let go. His hand lingered there, as if reluctant to part from the connection we shared.

Eventually, I couldn’t take it any longer. I gently pulled his hand down. “That’s enough. The babies have gone to sleep. Don’t wake them up again.”

***

The trip to the ranch had worked wonders for me. I felt a newfound sense of calm, and being at home no longer felt like being caged.

“What’s wrong?” Ashton rushed out of his study, concern etched across his face.

It took me a moment to regain my breath. “I’m fine. The baby’s just being naughty again, but this time it really hurt,” I managed to say, my voice taut as I struggled to suppress the discomfort.

I steadied myself against the sofa and slowly sank down onto it.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Ashton’s worry deepened.

Knowing how protective he was about the babies, I forced a smile, trying to reassure him. “I’m fine, really, it’s nothing—”

Just then, another wave of pain struck, stronger than before. My hands trembled so violently that I could barely grip my phone.

“Where does it hurt? Don’t panic, just tell me slowly,” he urged, his voice steady, but I could see the urgency in his eyes as he called out to Geoffrey, “Get the car ready, we’re going to the hospital.”

Panic began to bubble within me. Clutching my stomach, I managed to stammer out, “It really hurts.”

He lifted me off the sofa with surprising gentleness and carried me toward the door. By the time we reached the entrance, the car was already waiting, engines humming in anticipation.

The moment we climbed inside, the vehicle sped off toward the hospital, urgency in every turn.

Ashton continued to speak to me, his voice a soothing balm in the chaos, trying to calm my racing heart. All I could do was groan in response, lost in the tempest of pain and fear.