Chapter 69
Emily’s POV
I sat in the hospital’s waiting room, feeling a familiar knot of anxiety tightening in my chest. It was hard to believe I was here again, waiting for another examination, another ultrasound. The sterile smell of the place, the quiet hum of medical equipment, it all reminded me too much of my first pregnancy.
Back then, I’d come alone too, just like today. The only difference was that Frank couldn’t come this time, while Keith hadn’t felt like coming all those years ago.
I hadn’t told my biological parents that I was pregnant with Frank’s child. It seemed too strange, too complicated to explain. How was I supposed to tell people who had only just come into my life that I was carrying the child of a man who had betrayed me?
A man who, to make things worse, turned out to be my stepbrother- something I hadn’t known at the time. It felt like too much, like one revelation would shatter the fragile bond we were just beginning to build.
Lost in thought, I nearly jumped when I heard Keith’s voice. “You look
nervous.”
I blinked, surprised to see him standing in front of me. “What are you doing here?” I asked, my brow furrowing. He hadn’t mentioned anything.
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about coming.
He shrugged, offering a half–smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I figured you might need some company.”
I raised an eyebrow, reaching out to touch his forehead. “Are you feeling. okay? Keith, coming to a doctor’s appointment with me?” I teased, trying to lighten the tension between us. It was so out of character for him to show up like this that I couldn’t help but wonder if something was wrong.
He gently pushed my hand away and helped me to my feet. “Come on, let‘ s see the doctor,” he said, his voice firm yet soft. It wasn’t a request; it was
a statement..
As we walked into the examination room, Dr. Kevin greeted us warmly. His eyes flicked between Keith and me, and without hesitation, he assumed the obvious. “It’s great to see both parents here today,” he said, glancing at Keith.
I quickly shook my head, feeling a flush of awkwardness creep up my neck. “Oh no, he’s not the father,” I corrected, my voice sounding more. defensive than I intended. “Keith’s just here to help out.”
Dr. Kevin gave a polite nod, but I noticed Keith’s jaw tighten slightly, hist expression darkening. He didn’t say anything, but I could feel the tension radiating off him as he helped me roll up my shirt for the ultrasound. His hands were gentle, but there was a frustration simmering beneath the
surface.
The ultrasound screen flickered to life, and within moments, the tiny
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heartbeat filled the room. I exhaled a breath I didn’t know I’d been
holding. Relief washed over me as Dr. Kevin confirmed that everything looked healthy.
“You’re about 16 weeks along,” he said, smiling at the screen. “The baby is developing well.”
I glanced at Keith, who was staring at the screen intently, his expression unreadable. “Do you want to know the gender?” Dr. Kevin asked.
I shook my head. “No, I want to keep it a surprise.”
Dr. Kevin nodded and began printing the ultrasound images, handing me a copy. “I’ll send one to the father as well,” he said, referring to Frank.
Keith stiffened beside me, but he didn’t say anything. I wondered if he was angry, though I couldn’t understand why. He had no reason to feel this way–it wasn’t his child, after all.
After the appointment, Keith insisted on taking me out for lunch. “Comet on, let’s get something to eat,” he said, already steering me toward his car. I was caught off guard by his sudden insistence.
“Keith, I’m fine. I don’t need-”
“Get in the car, Emily,” he interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. I sighed, not having the energy to fight him, and climbed into the passenger seat.
Chapter 69
At the restaurant, we sat across from each other in silence for a while. The awkwardness between us was palpable, but it wasn’t uncomfortable in the way it used to be. There was something different about Keith now, something softer. He wasn’t the same man who had once ignored me, pushed me away.
Finally, I broke the silence. “You’ve been around a lot more lately,” I said quietly, stirring my drink with the straw. “You never used to want to spend time with me, not like this. What’s changed?”
Keith sighed, leaning back in his chair. He seemed to be gathering his thoughts, choosing his words carefully. “Emily,” he began slowly, “I know I’ve been distant. And I know I hurt you in ways I can’t take back.”
I looked up, surprised at the sudden weight in his voice. “But I want you to know,” he continued, “I’m sorry. For everything. For what happened that night nine years ago… for not believing you, for punishing you when. you didn’t deserve it.”
