Chapter 20
Victoria stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the loose, flowing emerald-green dress she’d chosen for the day. It draped perfectly over her small but growing bump, hugging just enough to remind her of the life she was carrying. She rested a hand on her stomach, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
The pregnancy had been a whirlwind—confusing, terrifying, and unexpected. But lately, as the weeks passed, she’d started to feel a strange sort of peace. She wasn’t just living for herself anymore; she was living for her child, too.
“Victoria!” Elena’s voice echoed from the hallway. “We’re going to be late if you keep fussing!”
“Coming!” Victoria called back, grabbing her bag and stepping into her flats.
When she opened the door, Elena was waiting, arms crossed and a teasing smile on her lips. “I swear, you take longer to get ready for the doctor than you did for that gala last week.”
Victoria rolled her eyes, brushing past her. “Excuse me for wanting to look decent. Besides, this isn’t just any doctor’s visit—it’s the ultrasound.”
“I know,” Elena said with a grin as they walked toward the car. “I’m excited too. Seeing that little bean on the screen always feels like magic.”
Victoria climbed into the passenger seat, settling herself as Elena started the car. “It’s strange,” she admitted, her voice quieter now. “In the beginning, I wasn’t sure I wanted this. I thought it would just be a reminder of everything I lost… everything Damian took from me.”
Elena glanced at her, her smile softening. “And now?”
Victoria placed a hand on her stomach, her gaze thoughtful. “Now, it feels different. Like a fresh start. Something just for me.”
Elena reached over and gave her hand a quick squeeze before returning it to the wheel. “You’re going to be an amazing mom, Victoria. You already are.”
The waiting room of the doctor’s office was sterile and quiet, with faint instrumental music playing in the background. Victoria sat in one of the stiff chairs, flipping through a parenting magazine she wasn’t actually reading. Elena sat beside her, scrolling through her phone.
“Do you think it’s a boy or a girl?” Elena asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Victoria glanced up, a small smile playing on her lips. “I don’t know. I’ve been trying not to think about it too much. As long as it’s healthy, that’s all I care about.”
“Good answer,” Elena said with a wink. “But I’m calling it now—it’s a girl. And she’s going to be just as fierce as her mom.”
Victoria chuckled, shaking her head. “Let’s get through today first. One step at a time.”
A nurse appeared in the doorway, clipboard in hand. “Miss Cross? We’re ready for you.”
Victoria stood, smoothing her dress as she followed the nurse. Elena trailed closely behind, her excitement palpable.
The ultrasound room was dimly lit, with a machine in the corner and a padded exam table in the center. Victoria lay back as the nurse prepped her, spreading the cool gel across her abdomen.
“This might feel a little cold,” the nurse said apologetically, moving the transducer over Victoria’s stomach.
Victoria flinched slightly but relaxed as the image on the screen came into focus. She held her breath, her eyes glued to the grainy picture of her child.
“There’s the baby,” the nurse said with a smile, pointing to the screen.
Elena leaned in closer, her eyes wide. “Look at that! Oh my God, Victoria, it’s amazing.”
Victoria’s lips parted, her heart swelling with an emotion she couldn’t quite name. For the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of hope—pure, untainted hope.
The nurse printed out a few images and handed them to her. “Everything looks good so far. The gynecologist will go over the full results with you, but the baby seems to be developing perfectly.”
Victoria nodded, clutching the images like a lifeline. “Thank you.”
Elena helped her sit up, beaming. “You’re glowing, you know that?”
Victoria rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t hide her smile. “Let’s not get carried away.”
After a short wait, another nurse led them to the gynecologist’s office. Victoria walked in first, still clutching the ultrasound images, her mind buzzing with thoughts of baby names and nursery designs.
But when she stepped into the office, she froze, her breath catching in her throat.
Sitting behind the desk, flipping through a patient file, was a man she recognized immediately.
He looked up at her, and a slow, familiar smile spread across his face.
“Zayden…” Victoria whispered, her voice barely audible.
