Page 9

Jostling. The warmth disappears, replaced by something firm at my back and bindings across my chest and legs. Then voices pierce the darkness. One is brisk, efficient, but unfamiliar. The other…the other moves through me, a heavy blanket that soothes the dizziness still whirling at the edges of my mind.

“…far along is she?”

My eyes shoot open. Bright light temporarily blinds me. I blink as I try to push myself into a sitting position. Straps press against my skin. My heart pitches into my throat.

“Ma’am!”

Firm hands grab my shoulders and ease me back down.

“What…?” I try to turn my head and nearly throw up.

“You fainted, ma’am.” The efficient voice is closer. A hazy face appears above me, a man with round spectacles that glint in the light. “You’re in the back of an ambulance on the way to the hospital. I’m going to keep the straps on while we’re en route, okay? Just a safety precaution.”

“Where is—”

“Your fiancé is here, ma’am.”

Hysterical laughter bubbles in my throat. Is this a dream? Or am I caught in some alternate reality?

Michail’s face swims into view, blurry at the edges but no less handsome. God, why is he still so attractive even when I feel like I just got hit by a truck?

“I’m here, Alessandra.”

A strong hand wraps around mine. This time the thickness in my throat isn’t hysteria or nausea. No, it’s emotion. Temptation to lean into the comfort he’s offering.

My mother’s voice whispers in my ear.

Don’t give a man your heart, Alessandra. All he’ll do is break it.

My fingers stiffen in his grasp.

He leans down. His lips brush my cheek in a tender gesture that has me closing my eyes against a hot sting of tears. I hate him for whatever game he’s playing. I hate myself even more for wanting the fantasy, especially when I feel so weak.

“I had to let them know you were pregnant.” His voice is quiet, but I have no problem hearing him with his mouth right next to my ear. “I told them I was the father and that we’re engaged so I could ride with you to the hospital.”

I keep my eyes scrunched tight so I don’t do something foolish like try to take a swing at him. Not when I can barely look around the moving ambulance without feeling sick. But, I resolve as I slowly open my eyes, I will get him back for this.

Later. He’s not the one I care about in this moment. My arms are lead weights at my side.

“My baby,” I croak out. “Is he okay?”

A young woman moves into my line of sight. Her kind smile flashes against her dark brown skin as she pulls gloves on.

“Miss Wright, my name is Jodi and I’m a paramedic. I’d like to check your baby’s heartbeat.”

“Yes.” My attempt at a nod is swiftly met with regret as a stronger headache begins to pound in my forehead.

“Lay still,” Michail orders.

I mentally tally all the ways I’m going to exact my revenge as the medic lays a sheet over my lap before discreetly pulling up my skirt. Jodi spreads a small amount of cool gel on my lower stomach. The rest of the sounds fade away: the crackling radiostatic, the other medic’s voice as he converses with Michail, the honking horns and screeching brakes of New York traffic passing by.

Jodi presses the device against my stomach. I hold my breath…

And there he is. That beautiful thumping, like a wild horse galloping across a prairie.

My breath rushes out as I sag in relief. We’re not out of the woods yet. But for now, this is enough.

A tight pressure on my hand makes me look to the side. I’d forgotten Michail was holding my hand. His pale eyes are fixated on the doppler. Wide with shock and, I realize with a painful clenching in my chest, wonder. Like he’s actually excited to hear the baby’s heartbeat.