The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 26

Bianca's head was splitting, and she had zero energy to argue. Feeling like she was floating on clouds, she stumbled over and unlocked the door.

Mathis took one look at her flushed face. "You look fine. Why did it take you so long to answer the phone?"

"Right, I'm perfectly fine. You've seen me, now leave."

Instead, he walked right past her and sat on the sofa. The tall, imposing man instantly made her small apartment feel claustrophobic.

Bianca frowned. "What else do you want?"

Mathis pulled out a sleek black card and slipped it into her pocket. "Be good, and I won't force you to move back to the estate. Take this card. Buy whatever you want."

Bianca was burning up with a fever, too exhausted to fight him. She just stared at him in silence.

"I know you didn't leak that article today," Mathis continued. "It was my grandmother trying to cause trouble for me. For the time being, keep a low profile about being Mrs. Jagger. It's not good for Cynthia's reputation."

"Understood. Can you leave now?" Bianca asked, her voice completely flat.

Mathis paused by the door. "Are you sure you don't need me to stay?"

"I don't share my toothbrush, and I don't share my man," Bianca said. "You're already playing white knight for someone else. Stick to your role."

Mathis didn't say another word. He turned on his heel and strode out.

Bianca grabbed a thermometer. 103 degrees. No wonder she felt like she was going to pass out.

She was pregnant, and if she decided to keep the baby, she couldn't just take whatever over-the-counter medicine she had lying around. She ordered a private car and headed straight to the nearest emergency room.

"I'm pregnant and running a high fever," she told the ER doctor. "Please be careful with what medications you prescribe."

The doctor understood immediately. He admitted her and hooked her up to an IV with pregnancy-safe fluids.

"The doctor said my uterine lining is too thin," Bianca said distantly. "If I go through with an abortion, I might be left infertile. Will you keep this a secret for me? If Mathis finds out, he'll probably force me to get rid of it. He wouldn't have any mercy on me."

Pity softened Simon's eyes. He nodded. "Alright. I'll keep your secret. But how do you plan to hide it from him?"

Now that her fever had broken, Bianca's mind was much clearer. "I bled a little last night, and he thinks I got my period. I'm only six weeks along, so nothing is showing yet. I'll figure it out when I start to show."

Looking at her beautiful, exhausted face, Simon sighed. "I suppose that's the best we can do for now. You should call a friend to help you. Being hospitalized alone is dangerous."

"It's fine," Bianca said softly. "I'm not used to bothering people."

Simon left quietly.

Bianca suddenly realized she had completely missed lunch and dinner. She ordered some food delivery and suddenly remembered the black card Mathis had forced into her pocket.

Didn't he tell her to buy whatever she wanted? Fine. Tomorrow, she'd go buy a house.