You are two weeks along in your pregnancy.
Margaret's eyes met mine, and although her voice was even, there was a hint of worry in it.
Excitement made my heart leap. "Are you sure?" I had a lot of ideas running through my head. My mind was racing with ideas, and I swallowed hard as soon as my stomach had calmed down.
"Yes," she said, gesturing affirmatively, "I have checked again."
Just a breath... and then a clumsy silence... and then--
"Oh my God!" Before I could stop it, a shout burst from my throat. Shock and excitement flooded my veins, and as happiness poured out of me in spades, my hands swung to my mouth to hold its contents.
Margaret was surprised. How could someone be overjoyed about something as unimportant as a meeting or appointment? "You... enjoy this?" With her head in her hands, Margaret asked out loud. She asked incredulously, "Why are you happy about this?"
Most people thought my life was normal. But here I was, expecting a child.
Her nervousness vanished as soon as she saw my excitement, and a gentle smile took its place. With a wild rush of excitement, I snatched the results from her desk, packed my bag, and practically ran out of her office.
The nurse at the prenatal clinic told me it was too early for prenatal checkups and gave me a pamphlet with more details. "Return in six weeks," she said.
I nodded, listened, and processed the information. Everything proceeded smoothly.
First, my fashion show had been a huge success, and one of London's top designers—not necessarily the best—was well-liked and respected. And now? Right now? Right now? My prince and princess were now carrying life.
Laughter filled my voice as I whirled on the sidewalk, hands clutching my stomach.
The caller was Sebastian. I told him it was urgent, and he said, Please meet me at The Regal Brasserie.
My lower lip slipped between my teeth as I read his message again, causing my cheeks to flush pink. Was he aware already? Did he sense what was about to happen? Or—?
"Oh no. Will he pop the question?
Hug's revelation that he had spotted Sebastian at a jewellery store two days prior piqued my curiosity and fuelled my desire to locate him once more. This might be it!
Despite getting a lot of curious looks from onlookers, I bounced around with joy, and my squeals filled the air—something that didn't bother me in the least! I just gave a victorious smile.
The CEO of Hawthorne & Co., Sebastian Hawthorne, was the type of man that every woman wished to have in their lives. He was skilled at seduction but was now more concerned with winning my approval than chasing seductresses.
My heart pounded with excitement as soon as I arrived at my car. When I arrived, the grandeur of the Regal Brasserie astonished me; every square inch exuded luxury.
"All right, Isla. Breathe deeply. Remain calm.
The gentle glow of the candles created a cosy, refined atmosphere as soon as I walked in. There were faint scents of wine and truffle, and the air was filled with the soft sound of violin music.
"Hi there! I'm Isla Fairchild, and Sebastian Hawthorne is the reason I'm here.
The maitre d' knowingly said, "Go ahead, Miss Fairchild."
With my back to him, she guided me through the opulent dining area and into the VIP section, making my heart race. I hurried up behind him and carelessly tickled his behind.
He burst out laughing. He yelled angrily, "Stop, Isla!"
I smiled, leaned forward, and kissed him quickly, leaving a red lipstick mark on his cheek. We looked at each other before I sat down.
"You look stunning." His warm, yearning eyes drifted over me.
"Thanks." I quickly glanced at him; he was dressed in a well-tailored navy-blue suit, had a sharp jawline, and full lips that begged me to reach over and touch them. I was able to avoid reaching across and touching them directly, but my fingers twitched.
While I was waiting, observing, and looking, I hardly touched the food I had ordered.
I'd seen too many romantic comedies. Maybe the ring was concealed among wine or dessert glasses; maybe...
I saw empty chairs in a room where there might have been waiting staff carrying bouquets or an invisible violinist waiting to do something spectacular, but there was no grand gesture or unexpected surprise. I began looking around for clues; maybe a unique bouquet or a violinist performing a beautiful piece would show up soon enough, but nothing did. I began looking in the hopes that something extraordinary would suddenly materialise to infuse this ordinary period of uncertainty and waiting with vitality and purpose.
"Do you want to order anything else?"
Sebastian's vivid blue eyes drew my attention once more. I forced a smile, surprised at his interest. "Yes."
My stomach lurched. I felt a tense tick.
His lips formed a thin line, and he no longer appeared to be smiling.
"I have to tell you something, Isla.
I clenched my fingers around my fork. As the words started, my mind was racing with anticipation. I was prepared.
"But," I told myself, "I'm getting married," and all of a sudden, there was an unbreakable silence that filled my ears.
"My lips opened and my breath caught, but nothing came out. The impact of his words took a very long time to sink in.
"To what?" I hardly raised my voice above a whisper.
"To Charlotte." I gave it two blinks. I slowly raised my head, waiting for him to make a strange gesture.
"You're not being serious," His jaw tightened even more as he snapped back. "I never ended our engagement."
I yelled at him, "You said your relationship with Charlotte had ended, that she left, and that you wouldn't forgive her."
"You were aware of my engagement when you chose me." I only mentioned that I felt lonely, not that I was looking for something long-term.
Perhaps less pain would have resulted from a closer approach.
With a single flick of my wrist, I sent my glass of wine splattering against his face as I stood there, my chair scraping the floor as I reached for it, my hands trembling as they reached into its depths!
Sebastian was instantly confused. He demanded, "What the hell?"
"You're lying!" As I spoke, my voice trailed off. "This will come back to haunt you; I should have known better!"
His expression became unintelligible as I snatched up my bag and rushed out.
My hands trembled as I fumbled with the door handle of my car, and my heels clicked against the pavement as my eyes welled with unshed tears.
I had a deep affection for him. Nevertheless, he ignored me as if I didn't exist.
When I bumped into someone, I hardly noticed. The contents of my bag spilt on the cold ground after it flew out of my hands.
Test results are one of them.
I froze. My fingers gripped the edges of the paper tighter, and my arms slowly grew tighter around it.
Despite how broken I felt, I was not alone because life was alive inside of me.
I held her to my chest and started crying uncontrollably.
"Why me?"
Nothing in nature could explain to them why they asked themselves this question as night fell.
