Out of Ashes Into His Heart novel Chapter 2

I didn't care about the churning in my stomach. My gaze instinctively lifted to meet him.

"No, that's not right."

Before I could figure out how to respond, Gavin frowned slightly, shaking his head as if rejecting his own thoughts. "It's impossible for you to be pregnant."

I had no idea how he arrived at such a conclusion, but strangely, I felt a fleeting sense of relief.

Just half an hour ago, I had been eager to share the joyous news of my pregnancy, but now…

I lowered my head, filled a glass with water, and rinsed my mouth without saying a word.

Gavin handed me a towel, his brow furrowed. "I know how much you want a child, but you can't keep pushing your body like this. Medicine always has side effects."

I looked up at him reflexively.

The bright light from above cast sharp angles across his handsome face. His deep-set eyes and high brow created shadows that only accentuated the intensity of his gaze.

This was Gavin Gould, the man I had secretly loved for ten years. My teenage diaries were filled with his every move, every word.

In the past, this kind of concern would have thrilled me beyond words.

But now…

"Grace, don't keep things from me. You can't keep exhausting yourself like this," he said suddenly, his voice low and serious.

I froze, caught off guard. "What are you talking about?"

"The prescription you asked me to pick up this morning—Mandy happened to see it."

That familiar, intimate tone from Gavin's lips pierced my ears like shards of ice.

He continued, his tone steady, as though stating facts. "She said it's medication to stimulate ovulation, something only taken by people struggling with fertility. But when I asked you about it before, you told me it was just vitamins and supplements."

"Did Mandy tell you that?" I interrupted, my voice hoarse and heavy.

Gavin frowned, clearly displeased by my reaction. "She saw it by chance; it wasn't intentional."

I couldn't believe it. Even now, Gavin's priority was to defend Mandy.

A wave of emotion surged within me, threatening to drown my reason.

No wonder Gavin was so certain I couldn't be pregnant!

Because Mandy had told him that only infertile people took such medication—and he believed her without question.

"So…" I met his gaze directly. "Do you think I can't get pregnant too?"

Gavin raised an eyebrow, surprised by my unusually assertive tone.

In front of him, I had always been gentle and accommodating. Even when I occasionally played coy, it was only to add a touch of playfulness.

This blunt, confrontational side of me was a first.

"Isn't that the case?" Gavin's brow furrowed deeper, his patience waning. "You've been going to the hospital every other day, popping pills like they're candy. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"

I stood there, stunned.

All the effort and sacrifices I had made over the past year suddenly felt absurd and laughable.

Knowing Gavin's prideful and cold nature, I had done everything I could to shield him from any speculation about his fertility.

I endured countless rounds of medication, swallowing pill after pill. On top of that, I had to bear my father-in-law's cruel taunts, calling me a barren hen who wasn't worthy of marrying Gavin.

Yet through it all, I tried my best to protect Gavin's dignity and his pride as a man.

And now, I was the one labeled as infertile.

My vision blurred, and my chest tightened as if an invisible hand was squeezing my heart.

This was the man I had loved for 12 years.

"You want to know why I was taking the medication? Let me tell you—"

Before I could finish, a knock interrupted me. The door swung open.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting?"