Page 189 of The Silver Fox Brother

She glances at Knox, then back at me.

"Good. I have your discharge papers ready. You're cleared to go home, but I want to give you some instructions first."

Dr. Patel pulls up a chair and goes through everything methodically. She hands me a prescription for prenatal vitamins and explains how to take them. She talks about staying hydrated, eating small meals throughout the day to combat nausea, getting plenty of rest.

"I want you to schedule a follow-up appointment with your OB-GYN within the next two weeks," Dr. Patel says.

"They'll do an ultrasound to confirm dating and make sure everything is progressing normally."

I nod, taking it all in.

"Do you have any questions?" Dr. Patel asks.

I glance at Knox, then back at her.

"Not right now. I think I'm still processing."

Dr. Patel smiles kindly.

"That's completely understandable. This is a big change. But you're healthy, the baby is fine, and you have support." She looks at Knox when she says that last part.

"That's what matters."

She stands and hands me the discharge papers.

"Take care of yourself, Miss Hayes. And congratulations."

Then she leaves.

A nurse comes in a few minutes later to remove my IV and go over the final discharge instructions. Knox helps me stand and steadies me when I sway slightly.

"You okay?" he asks, his hand on my lower back.

"Yeah. Just a little lightheaded still."

He keeps his hand there as we walk slowly out of the room and down the hallway toward the elevator.

We don't talk on the way down or as we walk through the hospital lobby. Knox's driver is waiting outside at the curb and he opens the door for us. Knox helps me into the backseat and then slides in beside me.

As the car pulls away from Mount Sinai, Knox reaches over and takes my hand again. I look at him and he looks back at me. We don't say anything. We don't need to. Everything has changed.

And for the first time in a very long time, I'm not scared of what comes next.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Knox

By the time we get back to my penthouse, it's almost 8pm.

I unlock the door and hold it open for Winter. She walks in slowly, still moving carefully like she's afraid she might get dizzy again. I set my keys on the entry table and turn to her.

"Why don't you go take a hot shower? It'll help you feel better."

Winter nods but doesn't move right away. She just stands there in my living room looking exhausted. I walk past her toward my bedroom.

"Come on. I'll get you something to wear."

She follows me down the hallway and into my room. I go straight to my closet and pull out one of my white button-down dress shirts. It'll be oversized on her but comfortable.