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"Maybe you're coming down with something," I suggested, keeping my tone neutral even as a spike of worry shot through me. I didn't like seeing her like this—confused, upset, and uncomfortable. "We can skip the cake tasting. You should stay home and rest."
"No," she said, her voice firm despite the unease in her eyes. "I’m not missing this. Clarissa and Morgan would never let me hear the end of it if I did. Besides, I’ll be fine."
But she didn’t look fine. She looked pale and a little… off. And when her eyes suddenly filled with tears, my heart nearly stopped.
Gwen never cried. Not over something like this. Something was seriously wrong.
I reached out, my hand hovering uncertainly over hers before I finally set it down gently. "Gwen, talk to me. What’s really going on?"
She looked up at me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and for the first time in a long time, I felt completely helpless. "I don't know," she whispered. "I just feel… off. Everything feels wrong, and I can’t explain it."
Seeing her like this was like a punch to the gut. Gwen was always so strong, so put together. And here she was, unraveling right in front of me, and I had no idea how to fix it.
"I’ll be right back," I said abruptly, my mind racing as I stood up. Something was gnawing at the back of my brain, a thought that I hadn’t dared to entertain until now. I had to know for sure.
She blinked up at me, confused. "Where are you going?"
"I just need to check something. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Stay here, okay?"
Before she could protest, I was out the door, panic clawing at my insides. As soon as I was in the elevator, I pulled out my phone and dialed Micah.
He answered on the second ring. "What’s up, brother?"
"I need a favor," I said, my voice tight. "I need you to meet me downstairs. Now."
Micah didn’t ask questions. He knew me well enough to understand when I was serious. "On my way."
I was pacing the lobby when he arrived, his brow furrowed in concern. "What’s going on?"
I didn’t have time for explanations. "I need you to go to the pharmacy and buy as many pregnancy tests as you can get your hands on. All different brands. Whatever they have."
His eyes widened in surprise, but to his credit, he didn’t question me. "Got it. I’ll be back in ten."
Those ten minutes felt like an eternity. I kept replaying everything in my head—Gwen’s sudden aversion to smells, her nausea, the way she was reacting to the décor she had once loved. Could it be…?
Micah returned with a bag full of boxes and handed it to me. "You’re sure about this?"
"No," I admitted, taking the bag from him. "But I need to know."
He gave me a long, considering look before nodding. "Good luck."
When I returned to the penthouse, Gwen was curled up on the couch, fast asleep. She looked so peaceful, and for a moment, I hesitated. But I needed to know. I needed to be sure.
I set the bag down gently on the couch beside her and knelt down, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Gwen, wake up."
She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Atticus? What’s going on?"
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "I need you to pee on all of these."
Her eyes widened in confusion as she sat up, looking at the bag. "What? Why?"
"Just… humor me, okay?"
She stared at me for a long moment, clearly trying to make sense of what I was asking. Then, slowly, realization dawned. "Atticus, are you serious?"
I nodded, my throat too tight to speak.
She looked at the bag again, her expression somewhere between shock and amusement. "There’s not enough pee in the world for that."
