The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 177

His movements were agitated, his eyes a swirling vortex of suppressed emotion. At times, he would glance at Suzie’s back as if he wanted to say something, only to swallow the words down. The silence in the room was so thick it felt as if time itself had frozen.

Then, a knock on the door shattered the stillness.

At the sound, Jamie tossed the shredded cigarette into the trash and strode to the door. Aaron stood outside, reporting respectfully, “Mr. Baylor, the clinic has asked you to come over.”

Jamie’s expression darkened. He glanced back at Suzie’s silhouette on the balcony. “What’s the result?” he asked flatly.

“They didn’t say, sir. Just that they needed you to come in person.”

“I see. Wait for me downstairs.”

After dismissing Aaron, Jamie closed the door again. He hesitated for a moment before walking slowly toward the balcony. “The test results should be ready,” he said to her back. “As for…”

His eyes drifted down to her waist.

Hearing his voice, Suzie quickly turned around. As she did, she caught his gaze fixed on her abdomen.

She paused, then walked over to stand before him, her delicate face tilted up to meet his intense stare. “They are mine,” she said, her voice soft yet firm. “And they will only ever be mine.”

Jamie’s gaze remained locked on her, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. He seemed about to retort, but seeing the paleness of her face, he held his tongue. After a moment, he said simply, “Get some rest.”

Suzie rubbed her temples and slowly rose from the sofa. She moved without any sense of urgency, her mind working. Aaron was here to take her to the clinic. The results must be in.

But she didn’t go downstairs immediately. After sending Lucy away, she walked to the closet, found a bag, and packed the few belongings she had.

Once everything was packed, she took one last look around the room, another heavy sigh escaping her. How would he try to take her children from her? She had no idea. The worry in her heart grew heavier, filling her with a suffocating sense of fear.

As she walked numbly toward the door, her eyes fell on the fruit platter on the table.

Downstairs, Aaron was pacing anxiously in the hall, repeatedly urging Lucy to go back up and hurry Suzie along. Lucy nodded and was just about to head up the stairs when she saw Suzie descending, bag in hand.