Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 76959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“You’re pregnant, Aurora,” he says softly. “Almost eight weeks pregnant. Congratulations.”
Tears fill her eyes, falling onto her cheeks. “I’m going to be a mom and a nurse?”
I squeeze her hand. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m happy for me,” she says excitedly. “We weren’t trying. We’re careful. I’m on the pill.”
“Without any other protection, there’s always a slim chance of pregnancy when you’re on oral birth control.” Dr. Fuller types something into his tablet. “The nausea is part of the first trimester fun. It should pass as your pregnancy progresses.”
“I need vitamins.” Aurora taps her forehead. “One of my co-workers is pregnant, and she’s taking special vitamins.”
“We’ll get that all sorted.” Dr. Fuller pats her hand. “I’ll be back shortly to talk about prenatal care and to get you set up with an obstetrician.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” she says as he turns to leave.
He glances over his shoulder. “I’m honored I could share this news with you, Aurora. I wish you and your husband nothing but the best. His name is Eldon, right? I heard you mention his name to your friend.”
Boyfriend,” Aurora corrects her. “Eldon is my boyfriend.”
I’m about to blurt out that he’ll soon be her fiancé, but I don’t. I look down at my bare ring finger.
This morning I had a husband. Now, I have an ache in my chest that I’ve carried with me since I left the penthouse. Something tells me it will always be there.
I make my way to the doors of the emergency department as soon as Eldon sends me a text telling me he’s arrived.
He barges in as the sliding glass doors part for his arrival.
Wearing his police uniform and with a stoic expression on his face, he looks imposing.
I know he’s scared.
In mere moments he’ll be on cloud nine, knowing that the woman he adores and wants to marry is expecting their first child.
“Trina!” he calls my name as he rushes toward me. “Where’s Aurora? How is she feeling?”
“She’s in an exam room.” I point in the direction of the corridor I just came from. “She’s good, Eldon. She’s going to be so happy to see you.”
“I’ve been worried sick,” he admits. “I could kick myself for not texting you when I saw your first message. I thought it was about her birthday and the card Asher was signing. I was busy. I assumed it could all wait.”
“You’re here now.” I smile. “Go to her. I’m going to wait out here.”
“What room is she in?”
I glance toward the corridor again, but something catches my eye. It’s a person. A man with graying hair raises his hand in greeting.
“Trina?” Eldon questions. “Are you all right?”
“I see someone I know,” I whisper. “I hope he’s okay.”
“I’ll find Aurora,” Eldon says before taking off toward the corridor. “You check on your friend.”
As he sprints away, I stare at the man in the doorman’s uniform who is approaching me.
“Eugene?”
“Mrs. Locke.” He smiles. “You’re here for Mr. Locke, aren’t you?”
Panic darts through me as I scan the faces in the waiting room in search of my husband’s. “Graham? Where is he? What’s wrong?”
He shakes his head. “I’m sorry. No, no, it’s not Mr. Locke. It’s Mr. Abdon. They’ve admitted him to the cardiac care unit. Mr. Locke is with him now. I assumed you came to be with him. He’s pretty shaken up.”
“Is Lloyd all right?” I question as I swallow back a sob. “Is he going to be okay?”
“I’m not sure.” He steps closer to me. “After you left earlier, he wasn’t feeling well. He had trouble catching his breath.”
This is my fault. All of this is my fault. I upset Lloyd, and this is the result.
“Why don’t you head up there?” He shoves two cups filled with coffee at me. “I ran down to the cafeteria to get these. I’m sure Mr. Locke would prefer to see your face instead of mine right now.”
I’m not as sure as he is, but I push everything that happened earlier aside. I have to face this and my husband. If by chance, I’m granted a moment with Mr. Abdon before he passes, I need to apologize to him again and thank him for giving me the job I had.
It gave me the man I love, and even if we don’t have a future, I was married for a brief time to the one person on this planet who owns my heart.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Graham
I step out of Lloyd’s room even though all I want to do is shake him awake.
I know that Dr. Morgan will take the lead when it comes to convincing Lloyd that he needs the stent procedure, but I’m going to be chiming in.
I want Lloyd to live.
I want to know more about his son. I want to go to that scattering ground with him and just sit.
He needs to know that he’s not alone. He’s got me, and I hope to hell he has Trina.