The Ex Education
Ex husband!Harry Castillo x Ex Wife!F!Reader
series masterlist . previous chapter. next chapter
Lesson 17
Summary: You wake up, and your life rewrites itself without asking. Motherhood wasnât part of the planâespecially not now. Thereâs joy, yes. But also fear. And the unsettling feeling of losing control. Fortunately, Harry stays exactly where he belongs. Right beside you.
Warnings and WC: 9.8k 18+ MATURE CONTENT flirting, fluff, kissing, implied sexual content, dirty thoughts, second chance romance, ex husband&ex wife, upper east side drama, rich family problems, protective!Harry, possessive romance, society drama, corporate politics, past trauma mention, OBGYN visit, pregnancy reveal, twins, emotional intimacy, rom-com, comedy, mention about the asherman syndrome, high risk pregnancy, hospital scene, family dynamics, healing, Confirmed: Mikey and Ron very alike, slow burn payoff, fluff and angst, light humor, foreshadowing proposal, double date mention, future engagement, domestic undertones. OC Characters (Ron=Harryâs assistant, Emily=Reader's bestie, Chloe=Reader's elite friend, Mikey=Readers brother Scarlet&Richard=Reader's parents, Yuliana=Reader's maid, Vivienne=Harry's mother, Sienna=Harry's sister, Dana=Reader's EA (Executive Assistant))
authors note: I still canât believe we made it to chapter 17. Weâre getting really close to the finale now â Iâm planning around 20 chapters and an epilogue, and there might be some small time jumps in the upcoming chapters đ Thank you for being here. happy reading đ
The Song: Adore You by Harry Styles
Expect the Unexpected⊠Twice
Voices come first, but they donât make sense yet. They sit somewhere at the edge of your awareness, layered on top of each other, low and distant like youâre listening from underwater. A murmur. Then something sharper cuts through it.
âMs. Queenââ âCan you confirmââ âOver hereââ
Reporters. Cameras. Flashes.
Even with your eyes closed, you feel them. Bright, invasive, pressing through your eyelids like theyâre trying to force you awake. Your brow tightens faintly and your breath catches because you remember that feeling. Too many people. Too many questions. No space to think.
After the speechâthe one that would be talked about for yearsâyour heart was still pounding in your throat. As you stepped down from the podium, there was only one thing on your mind: getting out, getting somewhere safe.
But your steps werenât steady anymore.
Your heels didnât land right. The ground felt uneven, like it shifted beneath you with every step.
Everyone was watching you.
Their faces blurred together, but the expressions were the sameâtense, fixed, waiting. Mikey. Dana. Gerard. Ron. All there.
And then Harry.
You had been walking toward him. You remember that clearly.
Security moved behind you, pushing the media back, trying to create spaceâbut it was too late. Everything you had just held togetherâevery word, every ounce of control, every bit of courageâit all came crashing back at once.
It hit all at once.
The pressure. The fear. The weight of what you had just done.
It was like the ground slipped out from under you.
Your breath caught. Your vision blurred at the edges, dark creeping inward. The noise around you warped, stretched, faded.
The world narrowed.
Until it was just him.
Harry.
Your eyes locked onto him like he was the only solid thing left in the room. Like if you could just reach him, everything would stop.
But you didnât.
After that⊠nothing.
You knew you were falling.
But there was no panic.
It was like your body had simply⊠shut down. Turned everything off before it could overwhelm you.
You didnât hit the ground.
Something stopped you.
Someone.
Your eyes closed for a brief second as if that might help you catch it, piece it back together. Your body felt wrong. Heavy in places, light in others, like you werenât fully inside it yet. Like you hadnât quite settled back in. That had been a weird dream.
Your lashes fluttered slowly, like even that took effort. Light seeped in, softer this time, controlled, pale. You blinked again and the ceiling came into focus. White. Too clean. Too still. It wasnât something you were used to seeing every day.
You lay there for a second, not moving, just breathing, trying to catch up to your own body. Something felt wrong. Not pain exactly. Just⊠unfamiliar.
Your gaze drifted down.
And there it was.
A thin line running into your arm. Clear tubing. A needle. Your stomach tightened instantly and your nose wrinkled before you could stop it.
ââŠof.â
The sound slipped out under your breath, annoyed, instinctive.
You shifted slightly, uncomfortable already, and that was when the door opened. The sound was soft but it was enough. You flinched. Your body reacted before your mind did, trying to push yourself up too quickly. The room tilted for half a second and you grabbed at the sheets, steadying yourself.
âHey. Easy.â
You froze.
His voice.
You didnât even need to look yet. You knew it.
Still, your eyes lifted.
Harry was already in the room, already halfway to you. The moment he saw you awake, something in his expression changed. It was subtle, controlled like everything about him, but you saw it. That tight line at his jaw loosened just enough. Relief, but buried. He reached you in seconds and his hand closed over yours like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like it had already been there the whole time.
âHey,â he said again, softer now. âYouâre awake.â
You stared at him, still catching up, still not entirely sure where you were or how you had gotten here. ââŠHarry?â Your voice came out quieter than you expected, a little rough. âHow?â
Your other hand came up to your temple and you pressed lightly, trying to push through the fog.
And then it hit.
It hadnât been a dream.
Harry catching you as you fellâthat hadnât been your mind filling in the gaps. It had actually happened.
Your breath sharpened. âOh no.â Your eyes opened fully now, focus snapping into place. âThe cameras,â you murmured, your voice tight with realization. âThey must have gotten that. Why did I have to faint now of all timesâŠâ
Harry let out a quiet breath, something close to a soft huff, like he was holding back a smile. "They didnât,â he said calmly. âSecurity blocked them. No one got a clear shot.â
You stared at him for a second, processing. Then your shoulders dropped slightly. âOhâŠâ
A soft exhale left you, relief settling in. âOkay⊠good.â
His hand lifted and he brushed your hair back from your face, slow, careful, like he was grounding both of you at once. âDo you feel better?â he asked.
You took a breath, then another, checking yourself. âYeah. A little.â
Your gaze dropped to your arm again. The IV. You made a face.
âHow long was I out?â You shifted slightly, already irritated. âIâm sure Iâve already made the evening news,â you muttered. âTheyâre probably writing headlines as we speak. Queen of Manhattan collapsed on live television⊠or waitââ you huffed lightly, âanother scandal for Queen Financial.â
Harry pulled a chair closer with one hand and sat beside you, his attention fully on you.
âBaby,â he said quietly, âyou just gave the speech of the year.â
You glanced at him, skeptical.
âThatâs not what theyâre going to be talking about.â
Your brows lifted slightly.
âThen what?â
The corner of his mouth lifted, just a fraction.
âYou buried Lucas in front of the entire city,â he said calmly. âTore him apart, piece by piece. Thatâs what theyâre talking about. Theyâll also be busy talking about him threatening a journalist.â
You blinked at him. ââŠyouâre kidding.â
He shook his head once.âNo.â
You stared at him, trying to catch up. âThat happened after Iâ?â
âYeah.â
âThat was exactly something he would do.â Your eyes moved back to him, sharper now. "Harry⊠why were you here?â You glanced at the clock on the wall. âYou had that meeting. London. It should have been in a few hours.â
âDana called,â he said simply. âShe told me everything,â he continued. âWhat you were planning. What he might have been using against you.â His gaze didnât leave yours. âHow was I supposed to stay there after hearing that?â
You sat up a little straighter. âYou thought I was going to stand there and announce Iâm marrying that manipulative piece ofââ
âHey,â he cut in gently, a faint smile pulling at his mouth. âI didnât think that.â
You gave him a look. He shrugged, almost amused. âI didnât have time to think at all.â Then, quieter, more serious, âI just knew⊠whatever he had on you, it had something to do with me.â
That stilled you.
For a second, you didnât say anything.
You just looked at him.
Then your gaze dropped.
ââŠthat meeting was important,â you said more softly. âFor Castillo Capital.â
âIt was,â he replied. âBut youâre more important.â
A small smile tugged at your lips.
He took your hand, lifted it, and pressed a slow kiss to your knuckles, a faint smirk following right after. âAnd for the record,â he murmured, eyes still on yours, âwatching you destroy him like that... was dangerously attractive.â
Your brow arched.
âI think I fell for you all over again,â he added softly
You tilted your head slightly.
âMore than you already were? Wow⊠youâre completely gone.â
Harry exhaled dreamily. âYeah,â he said, low and honest. âI am.â
The way he said itâno joke, no deflectionâlanded heavier than expected.
You held his gaze for a beat, then your lips curved just slightly.
âWell,â you murmured, softer now, âlucky for youâŠitâs mutual.â
Something shifted in his expression.
He leaned in without another word, his hand coming up to your jaw as his lips met yoursâslow, warm, certain. When he pulled back, he didnât go far. His forehead rested against yours, breath still close, steadying.
âI love you, my queen.â
Your fingers lifted, brushing slowly along the line of his jaw, feeling the roughness of his stubble, a soft smile forming at the sensation beneath your fingertips.
âI love you too, Harry.â
You just looked at him for a second, then your attention shifted again. Back to your arm. You wrinkled your nose. âDid I really need this?â âThe doctor said you were run down. You needed fluids.â You sighed. âI hate hospitals. And I hate needles.â You glanced pointedly at your arm.
Harry didnât answer right away this time. He went quiet.
And thatâs when you noticed it.
The shift.
It was small, but it was there. Something settled behind his eyes, something heavier. He took a slow breath, like he was choosing his words carefully.
ââŠthe doctor said something else, too.â
Your attention snapped back to him. âWhat?â
He didnât answer immediately. Instead, his hand moved. Slowly. It came to rest over your stomach. The touch was light. Careful. Like the moment itself was something fragile.
Your breath caught.
He looked at you then, really looked, and there was something in his eyes you couldn't name. âThe test was right.â
For a second, the words didnât register. They hovered there, disconnected.
Test.
Your mind caught up a beat too late.
And when it did, it hit hard.
Not gently. Not gradually. All at once.
Your chest tightened, your throat closing before you could even shape a response. Your eyes filled instantly and you didnât even try to stop it.
This wasnât simple happiness. It wasnât relief.
It was something deeper than that. Something you had already started letting go of, something you had taught yourself not to expect.
And now it was back.
Real.
You swallowed, once, twice, trying to steady your voice.
âHarry⊠youâŠâ You shook your head slightly, trying to find the words. âYou mean⊠IâŠâ
His eyes didnât leave yours. âYeah, baby. He said the symptoms make sense and also your levels are elevated⊠higher than expected. Theyâre consistent with early pregnancy.â
Everything inside you stilled. âIâm⊠p-pregnant?â
Your hand moved on its own, settling over your stomach. Harryâs hand covered yours immediately, warm, firm. ââŠyeah,â he said softly. âThatâs what the blood test says.â
Your breath caught. Your other hand came up, covering your mouth. âOh my GodâŠâ you whispered, barely audible.
Harry let out a quiet breath, something between disbelief and a soft laugh. "Yeah,â he murmured, a faint smile pulling at his lips. âThat was pretty much my reaction too.â
He watched you for a second longer. âButâŠâ he added carefully. Your eyes lifted to his instantly. âThereâs something else.â
"What?"
And thenâ
âTWIIIIINS!â
The door burst open so suddenly you actually jumped.
Mikey.
Of course.
He stormed in like a one-man parade, grinning like he just won the lottery.
âTwins! Iâm going to be an uncle, this is insaneââ
Harry exhaled, rolling his eyes.
You froze. Completely. Your body went still, your mind lagging behind the words.
Behind him, Sienna rushed in. âMikey, give them a secondââ
Too late.
Scarlet. Emily. Chloe.
They moved in almost at the same time, voices overlapping, filling the room too quickly.
âSweetheartââ Scarlet reached you first, her hand immediately finding your arm, grounding. âThe doctor said itâs not definitive yet, alright? We donât know for certain.â
âBut youâre pregnant,â Emily blurted out, eyes wide, somewhere between shock and excitement. âI meanâoh my God, thatâsâwowââ
âAre you okay?â Chloe cut in quickly, stepping closer, scanning your face. âYou look pale. Do you feel dizzy? Should you be sitting up like that?â
Scarlet shot them both a look, sharp but controlled. âGive her a second.â
The room filled too fast, too many voices, too much movement.
But none of it really reached you.
Because there was only one word left in your head.
Twins.
Your lips parted slowly. âT-twinsâŠâ Your voice was barely there. ââŠtwo babies.â
Your heart started racing, uneven, too fast. âNot one⊠twoâŠâ You shook your head faintly, disbelief creeping in. âNo. That canât be right.â Your voice dropped, quieter, almost to yourself. âThey need to check again. Maybe they got it wrong.â
The door opened again and this time it was the doctor and a nurse. The energy in the room shifted automatically, quieter, more controlled.
The nurse moved to your side and carefully removed the IV from your arm. You watched with mild suspicion, then relief when it was over.
The doctor gave you a reassuring smile.
âYouâre doing well,â he said calmly. âYour mother informed me about your medical history,â he added. âGiven that, we need to be cautious.â A brief pause. âWe did pick up what might be two heart rhythms on the monitor, which can indicate a twin pregnancy.â
The room went very still.
âButââ he continued gently, âwithout a proper ultrasound, we canât confirm that.â His gaze held yours, steady and reassuring. âAt this stage, thereâs still room for misinterpretation. Especially considering your history. Thatâs why itâs important you follow up with your OB-GYN as soon as possible. Theyâll confirm everything with a detailed scan.â
âWeâll go,â Harry said immediately.
âOf course she will,â Scarlet added at the same time, her tone leaving no room for argument.
For a second, they both pausedâthen glanced at each other.
The nurse finished removing the IV, pressing a small piece of gauze to your arm.
âYouâre stable,â the doctor continued. âBut take it easy. No unnecessary stress. Eat regularly, stay hydrated.â
A small, reassuring nod.
âAnd weâll let the specialist take it from here.â
âThank you,â Harry said as the doctor stepped out.
The door closed behind them.
Scarlet moved closer instantly, her hand coming up to your hair, smoothing it back gently. âSweetheartâŠâ she murmured, her voice softer now. âAre you in shock?â
You let your head fall back against the pillows, eyes closing for a second as you exhaled slowly. âNo. Not shock.â A small shake of your head. âItâs just⊠a lot.â Your voice dropped, quieter. âWhat if itâs true? What if they really are twins?â Your fingers tightened slightly over your stomach. âOne baby would already be a lot right now,â you murmured. âWhat am I supposed to do with two?â
Harry reached for your hand without hesitation, his fingers threading through yours, squeezing gently.
âWeâll figure it out.â
You woke before you opened your eyes. A slow breath filled your lungs, deeper than usual, as if your body was trying to prepare you for something before your mind caught up. For a few seconds you stayed still beneath the covers, suspended in that quiet space between sleep and reality, where nothing had shape yet and nothing demanded anything from you. But even there, you knew. Today wasnât ordinary. Not for New York. And not for you.
The realization settled in slowly, strangely calm for something that should have felt heavier. There was something almost unfamiliar about it, the awareness that the city was going to wake up differently because of you. It should have felt overwhelming. Instead, it felt⊠distant. Almost surreal.
You opened your eyes.
Soft light filtered through the edges of the room, muted, controlled. You reached up and slid the sleep mask off, pushing yourself upright against the pillows. The sheets fell slightly as you moved and without thinking, your gaze dropped. Your hands followed.
They settled over your stomach, fingers pressing lightly against the silk of your nightgown.
For a moment, you just stayed like that. Still. Trying to understand what you were looking at.
There was nothing visible yet. No change. No sign. And stillâ you knew.
Somewhere beneath that fabric, beneath your skin, there were two lives now. Well, not %100 confirmed yet, but... still.
And unexpectedly, it made you smile.
After everything. After years of careful distance, of calculated acceptance, of doctors speaking in measured tones about probabilities and limitations and things that âmight not be possibleââyou woke up to this. To something that was.
You stood.
The room was still early-morning quiet, the kind that belonged only to homes that ran on discipline and routine. You didnât need an alarm. Your body woke you. Maybe from the exhaustion. Maybe from the adrenaline that still hadnât fully left your system. Or maybe from something else entirely.
You stepped in front of the mirror.
For a second, you just looked at yourself.
Then your gaze dropped again.
Your hands followed, resting over your stomach once more, but this time the feeling was different. Not just curiosity. Not just disbelief. Uncertainty.
Your reflection looked the same. But nothing felt the same.
Everything in your life was already shiftingâLucas, the board, the company, the pressâand now this. Something even bigger. Something completely outside your control.
That part sat differently.
You had never liked things you couldnât control or handle.
And yetâ this didnât feel like a burden.
Before you could sit with it longer, there was a knock at the door.
You didnât even turn immediately. âCome in.â
The door opened and Yuliana stepped inside, already carrying that quiet efficiency she always had, though there was something lighter in her expression this morning.
âGood morning, Ms. Queen.â
You met her gaze through the mirror and gave her a small smile.
âMorning.â
She moved to the windows, pulling the curtains open in one smooth motion. Sunlight spilled into the room and you blinked slightly against it, adjusting.
âBreakfast is ready,â she said, turning back toward you. Then, after a brief pause, something more deliberate in her tone, âIs there anything you would prefer this morning? Something⊠specific, perhaps?â
You caught the implication immediately. You slipped your robe over your shoulders, tying it loosely as you walked toward the dresser.
âMaybe just matcha. Something light.â
âDone.â
She moved to leave, but paused at the door just long enough to glance back at you again, softer this time, before stepping out.
You headed into the bathroom, letting the door fall half-closed behind you. The cold water against your skin helped. You moved through your routine automaticallyâcleanser, cream, small familiar motions that reminded you who you were, made you feel like yourself.
By the time you stepped back into the hallway, you were almost composed again.
Almost.
âHeyâthere she is.â
Mikey was leaning against the wall like he had been waiting for you, phone already in hand, hair barely styled, completely at ease in a way that should have been illegal this early in the morning.
âMy beautiful sister finally awake?â he added, already stepping in and throwing an arm around your shoulders.
You took exactly two steps before your balance shifted slightly.
âCareful,â you muttered, slipping out from under his arm. âIâd like to make it down the stairs without a concussion today.â
He grinned, completely unapologetic. âPlease. Youâve handled boardrooms worse than this staircase.â
You gave him a look.
He ignored it. Instead, he turned his phone toward you as you both started heading down the stairs. âOkay, no, you need to see this. Iâve been laughing at this since I woke up.â
You leaned slightly closer despite yourself.
On the screen, a clip was playingâyesterdayâs speech. Your speech. Clean, sharp, cut together with the precision of the internet doing what it does best.
But it wasnât focused on you.
It was Lucas.
Zoomed in. Edited. Looping.
His expression flickered across the screen in exaggerated slow motionâconfidence melting into confusion, then outright disbelief, frame by frame as you spoke.
And then it got worse.
Someone had layered absurd audio over itâdramatic violin screeches cutting into a distorted record scratch, followed by a perfectly timed, high-pitched âhuh?â sound effect.
Each time his face shifted, the edit punched it harder.
At one point, they froze on the exact second his eyes widenedâ cut to a blinking cat. Back to Lucas. Back to the cat. Zoomed in even further. Another cutâhis jaw tighteningâ then a meme overlay: âwhen you realize you messed with the wrong person.â
The video looped it. Again. And again. Each time slightly more ridiculous. Mikey let out a full laugh beside you, leaning closer to the screen.
âLook at his face,â he said, completely losing it. âLook at itâhe goes from major stakeholder to confused housecat in three seconds.â
You exhaled through your nose, unimpressed, though your lips twitched just slightly. âTurn that off before Dad sees it, you tool,â you said. âHe doesnât know anything yet.â
Mikey hummed but swiped anyway, already pulling something else up.
âYeah, wellâtoo late for the rest of the world.â
He turned the screen again.
X.
Trending page.
Your name. Lucas. Queen Financial.
Multiple headlines stacked on top of each other.
He wasnât wrong.
You were everywhere.
âSo,â Mikey said lightly, âcongratulations. You basically broke New York overnight.â
You didnât answer immediately.
You just looked.
Thenâ
âWhere are you two?â
Scarletâs voice cut in from the bottom of the stairs.
You both looked up.
She was already walking toward you, composed as always but her eyes were softer the moment they landed on you. She reached you in seconds, her hand coming up to your cheek without hesitation. âDid you sleep well?â she asked quietly.
You nodded once. "Yeah."
Her gaze searched yours for a moment longer, then she exhaled. âYour fatherâs at the table,â she said. âCome.â
Mikey snorted under his breath, still looking at his phone. "Oh, heâs finished,â he said, grinning. âEvery woman in this city hates him now. Likeâcollectively.â He scrolled, still laughing. âIâm pretty sure he just got banned from brunch culture permanently.â
âMichael,â Scarlet said sharply.
He lifted both hands. âAlright, alright.â
Her arm slipped around your waist as she guided you toward the dining room, protective without making a scene of it.
The table was already set.
He looked up when you entered, his expression softening immediately. There was still something tired in his eyes, but it wasnât as heavy anymore. Not as distant. You leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek before taking the seat beside him.
âGood morning, honey,â he said quietly.
âMorning, dad,â you replied, softer.
For a moment, it almost felt normal.
Breakfast moved carefully. Not silent, but measured. Small things. Coffee. A comment about the weather. The way the toast was slightly too crisp. Safe topics. Familiar ground.
But it didnât last. Richard realized something was off.
Scarlet handled it.
She didnât overwhelm him. She didnât dramatize anything. She simply introduced the situation in controlled piecesâmentioned Lucas, the board maneuvering, the press coverage. Enough for him to understand. Not enough to trigger unnecessary stress.
The truth, but edited.
There were things you didnât say.
Not yet.
The pregnancy. The full extent of what had happened last night.
Those could wait.
Yuliana and Lara moved around the table with quiet efficiency, but this morning there was something else underneath it. Attention. Focus. Every plate that got closer to you stayed there a second longer. Every option was subtly redirected your way.
You noticed. Of course you did. You didnât comment on it.
For a moment, though, you allowed yourself to think ahead.
If the company stabilizedâwhen it stabilizedâyou could rebuild everything. The house. The staff. The life that used to feel effortless.
But firstâ
the company.
Everything came back to that.
Later, as you were getting dressed, Scarlet joined you again. You caught her watching you in the mirror, that same quiet concern still there, layered with something else you werenât used to seeing from her so openly. âMake sure Dana schedules your appointment,â she said. âAs soon as possible.â
You met her eyes in the reflection. âI will.â
She nodded, but didnât look entirely satisfied.
Scarlet was watching you through the mirror. While Yuliana carefully shaped the ends of your hair, your mother sat at the edge of the chair, her phone in hand, quietly scrolling through something. But this wasnât ordinary maternal concern. Scarlet Queen didnât cry when she worried. She made lists.
âLast night changed something,â she said finally.
You met her eyes in the mirror. âThe headlines?â
âThe women.â
Your fingers stilled over the bracelet you were fastening.
Scarlet lifted her gaze from the screen. âYesterday, they were watching you tear Lucas Whitmore apart. And this morning, every woman in New York with money, influence, or a husband who thought he controlled both, was talking about you.â
You turned slightly. âMother.â
âNo, listen.â Her voice softened, but only at the edges. âThis was not charity. This was leverage dressed beautifully enough to get through any door.â
Yulianaâs hands paused for half a second in your hair.
Scarlet continued, calmer now, sharper. âThe Foundation dinner was supposed to be symbolic. A polite room, polite checks, polite applause.â She tilted her head. âNow it could become a declaration.â
You watched her through the mirror.
âA declaration of what?â
âThat Queen Financial was not isolated.â Scarlet stood, crossing the room with that quiet grace that had made men underestimate her for thirty years. âYou gave them a reason to stand with you. Women like that didnât always move out of kindness, darling. But they did move when they saw themselves in the story.â
You understood then.
Not a gala. A signal.
âFamily offices,â you murmured.
Scarletâs smile deepened.
âPrivate capital. Philanthropic boards. Museum trustees. Trust committees. Women who didnât need board seats to make board members nervous.â
You let out a slow breath.
âYou want to turn public support into investor confidence.â
âI want to turn your speech into armor.â
The room went quiet.
Scarlet reached for your coat, smoothing one invisible crease from the shoulder before handing it to you.
âLucas gave the press a hero story. You gave the city something better.â Her eyes met yours, steady and bright. âA woman refusing to be purchased.â
Your throat tightened despite yourself.
Scarletâs voice dropped lower.
âSo yes. While New York slept, I made calls.â
Of course she had.
âTo whom?â
âTo women who understood that reputation was currency,â Scarlet said. âAnd that men like Lucas Whitmore became very expensive when no one respectable wanted to stand near them.â
A slow smile touched your mouth. âThatâs brutal.â
âThatâs finance.â
You slipped into your coat.
Scarlet stepped close and adjusted your collar, gentle now.
âToday you take the board. This week, we take the room. After that,â she said, brushing her thumb once over your cheek, âwe remind this city that Queen Financial was never built to be inherited by weak men.â
You looked at her for a long second.
Then nodded.
âSend Dana the list.â
Scarlet smiled.
âI already did.â
Fifth Avenue had learned to wake quietly around money.
The avenue outside your building was polished even in winter, all pale stone, black awnings, doormen in dark coats, and town cars idling with the patient arrogance of people who were used to being waited for. But this morning, quiet had been replaced by camera shutters.
Reporters crowded beyond the polished brass line the building staff had created with professional calm. Security stood between the entrance and the sidewalk, not aggressive, not frantic, simply immovable. The kind of men who didnât need to raise their voices because the building they worked for had been raising them for decades.
The second you stepped into the lobby, the noise outside swelled.
âMs. Queen!â
âAre you going to Queen Financial today?â
âDo you have a statement on Lucas Whitmore?â
Mikey, already beside you, slid his sunglasses down from the top of his head and gave the glass doors a look of deep personal offense.
âWow⊠curious crowd before 9 AM. Should I be concerned or flattered?â
The doorman opened the door before you reached it, and cold air rushed in with the sound of your name. Cameras lifted. Flashes sparked. The questions hit immediately, loud enough to turn the marble lobby behind you into an echo chamber.
You didnât stop.
You didnât lower your head either.
Mikey moved half a step ahead, just enough to create space without making it look like you needed protecting. One of the building security men cleared the path. Another held back a reporter who leaned too far over the invisible line.
âMs. Queen, are you stepping down?â
âWill Lucas Whitmore remain with the company?â
âAre the allegations true?â
You reached the sidewalk with your expression perfectly still.
Then a man in a dark coat appeared from the edge of the crowd, sunglasses on despite the weak January sun, his collar turned up so high it almost swallowed his jaw. He held a folded newspaper in one hand like a man who had committed to a bit entirely too hard.
He leaned in just enough to be heard. âMs. Queen. This way.â
You paused for half a second. Mikey stared at him.
âRon?â
Ronâs face remained completely serious. âKeep walking.â
Mikey looked him up and down, taking in the sunglasses, the raised collar, and- âThe newspaper is a little old-fashioned, buddy. Tell me you at least cut eyeholes in it.â
Ron didnât miss a beat. âI considered it. But the purpose was camouflage, not surveillance.â
Mikey blinked, then grinned. âThatâs actually worse.â
You walked between them, eyes forward, while cameras kept flashing around you. âYou two are weirdly similar,â you murmured.
Ron, still scanning the crowd, said, âIâm choosing to take it as a compliment?â
âI wouldnât,â Mikey said.
Your mouth almost curved, but then you saw it.
A black limousine waiting just ahead by the curb, sleek and quiet among the chaos. The rear window was lowered halfway.
Harry.
He was seated inside, one arm resting along the back of the seat, dark coat open, gaze fixed on you like the rest of Fifth Avenue didnât exist. Morning light caught the sharp line of his cheekbone and the faint bruise near his brow, making him look more handsome somehow. His mouth tilted slightly when your eyes met his.
âGood morning, beautiful.â
You stopped beside the window, one brow lifting slightly.
âMorning, Mr. Castillo. At this hour⊠outside my building?â you tilted your head just slightly. âDid you see me in your dreams or something?â
âThere isnât a night I donât.â
You felt the warmth rise to your face before you could stop it, letting out a quiet breath that turned into a soft laugh as you shook your head.
"Let me take you to the office.â
âThatâs very kind of you,â you said smoothly, âbut my car is already here.â
Harry didnât even look at it. His eyes stayed on you. âI donât think youâre going to refuse the man you love.â
âI knew you were going to use that against me.â
Harry tilted his head slightly. âWellâŠâ he said lightly,
âyouâre the one who said it. In front of cameras. You shouldâve thought that through.â
You let out a small sigh, adjusting your hair again, but this time your lips curved faintly. âYou really do have a talent for leveraging very specific advantages.â
His smile sharpened. âI do it well, donât I?â
âAnnoyingly well.â
Harry reached for the door, opening it without breaking eye contact.
âGet in.â
You hesitated for exactly half a second.
Then stepped forward. His hand found yours as you stepped closer, warm against your gloved fingers, and he helped you into the limousine
You slid inside, and Harryâs hand settled lightly at your back until you were seated. The door closed, sealing out the noise almost completely.
Outside, Ron stood by the curb, still holding the newspaper.
The limousine pulled away.
Mikey watched it go, then looked at Ron.
Ron stared after the car for a second. âMy boss just abandoned me.â
Mikey snorted, already walking toward his own car. âFirst time?â
Ron folded the newspaper under his arm and followed. âActually, yes.â
Mikey unlocked his phone as they moved. âCome on. Iâll give you a ride. Also, you need to see what TikTok did to Lucasâs face.â
âIs it useful?â
âItâs art.â
Ron glanced once more at the disappearing limousine, then smiled faintly. "You know... I prefer him like this.â
Mikey looked up. âWho?â
âHarry.â Ron adjusted his coat collar, the humor softening into something more genuine. âHe didnât even look back. Iâll take that. Means heâs exactly where he wants to be, with her. Better than to watch him go back to being heartbroken.â Then his face tightened. âStill. Being abandoned feels terrible.â
Mikey laughed. âAw, look at you. Got ditched once and suddenly youâre a street cat. Get in, drama queen.â
Inside the limousine, the world was quiet.
The leather smelled faintly of cold air and Harryâs cologne. The city moved past in blurred gold and gray beyond the tinted glass, but inside, everything had narrowed to the warmth of his hand around yours.
Harry lifted your hand to his mouth and kissed your knuckles once.
Then again, slower.
âHow are you today?â
You leaned back into the seat, watching him.
âIâm fine.â
âDid you eat?â
You sighed. âHarry.â
âBreakfast,â he clarified, as if you were the difficult one. âDid you eat breakfast?â
You rolled your eyes. âDonât start. My mother already did.â
âShe was right.â
âTraitor.â
His thumb moved over your fingers, calm and absent, but his eyes stayed on your face.
âYou can call me whatever you want. Youâre not skipping meals.â
âI had matcha. Toast. Some fruit. Yuliana and Lara almost staged an intervention involving eggs.â
âGood.â
âGood?â
âYes.â
âPlease donât start sounding like my mother,â you said. âTry being my boyfriend instead.â
âIâm sorry, baby,â he said quietly. âI canât help it.â
His gaze dropped, just briefly, to your stomach. Then back to your face.
âItâs all I can think about.â
âI told Dana to schedule the OB-GYN appointment for tomorrow.â
Harryâs brow lifted.
âI know.â
You turned your head slowly.
âOf course you do.â
His nose brushed your hair as he lowered his head, breathing you in with his eyes closed. You stilled for a second, then laughed quietly when his breath tickled your neck. âWhat are you doing?â
âPreparing for the day.â
âYouâre smelling my hair.â
âIâm storing energy.â
âEnergy?â
His eyes opened, dark and warm. âSo I can survive until tomorrow.â
Something about the way he said it made your smile soften.
âThatâs very sweet,â you murmured. âAnd a little needy.â
Harryâs gaze moved over your face, then down to where his hand rested near your stomach. When he looked back at you, the humor had softened into something heavier. âThereâs never a moment I donât need you.â
Your breath caught.
He leaned in slightly, voice lower nowâ âI wish you could see yourself the way I do. I wish you knew what it feels like⊠when I have you like this.â
Your breath hitched. His gaze dropped briefly to your lips, then back to your eyes. âItâs never enough.â
His mouth brushed yours once, barely there, more promise than kiss.Â
Your eyes closed instantly, your hand finding his jacket, fingers curling into the fabric as you leaned into him without thinking.
The kiss deepened slowly.
His hand slid to your waist, pulling you just a fraction closer, like he needed to feel you thereâreal, solid, not something he could lose again.
Your breath hitched softly against his lips.
Outside, the city moved.
Insideâ
nothing did.
The limousine slowed before it fully stopped. Queen Financialâs building rose in front of you, glass and steel catching the pale morning light. Before the car had even come to a complete halt, the security at the entrance had already noticed.
You leaned in, brushing a quick, soft kiss against Harryâs lips. âLater,â you murmured. âLater,â he echoed.
The door opened. Cool air rushed in as you stepped out, already composed. One of the security guards straightened the second you appeared.
âGood morning, Ms. Queen.â
You stepped onto the pavement, your coat settling perfectly over your shoulders, your expression already back in place. âGood morning.â
Another guard moved subtly closer, not intrusiveâjust present. Efficient. Discreet.
Behind you, the limousine door closed softly.
People near the entrance straightened slightly as you passed. Heads dipped. Brief nods. Silent acknowledgment.
Respect.
Right before the doors, you paused.
Turned.
The limousine window was already lowered.
Harry was still inside, one arm resting along the door, watching you like nothing else in the city mattered.
You held his gaze for a second.
Then a small smile touched your lips.
Just for him.
He returned itâslower, softer.
You turned back and walked inside.
Harryâs gaze dropped briefly to the seat where you had been sitting.
Something caught his attention.
He leaned forward, reaching inside.
You must have dropped one of your gloves.
He picked it up, turning it once in his hand before his eyes lifted again instinctively.
He stepped out of the car.
You were already halfway across the lobby.
Walking.
And for a momentâ
he didnât move. Didnât speak. Didnât blink.
Ron approached from the car behind. âBossââ
Harry didnât even look at him. Just lifted his hand slightly.
Wait.
Ron stopped instantly.
Mikey slowed too, following his line of sight. ââŠwhat exactly are we looking at?â
Then he saw you.
Walking across the marble floor, your reflection stretching beneath you, every step measured, controlled, effortless.
People moved out of your way without being asked. Heads dipped as you passed. Quiet greetings.
Respect that wasnât performed.
It was earned.
Ron let out a slow breath. ââŠthere it is.â
Mikey tilted his head, watching, a grin forming. âYeah⊠Iâm pretty sure heâs seeing this in slow motion right now.â He squinted slightly. âProbably with some dramatic music too. Like⊠only youuu in the background.â
Ronâs gaze shifted briefly ahead.
Dana had already reached you, greeting you quietly as the two of you disappeared further down the corridor.
He exhaled.
âIt does that,â he said quietly.
Mikey glanced at him. âWhat?â
Ronâs voice softened. âWhen itâs her⊠everything else slows down.â
Mikey nodded absently, still staring. âYeah⊠especially when she does that thing with her caramel hair and those hazelââ
Harry turned.
Ron turned.
Mikey froze.
Then immediately grinned.
ââI mean in general. Just⊠adapting to the tone here.â
He started backing toward the revolving doors. âIâm gonna go inside before one of you turns this into a staring contest. Alsoâcameras exist. Just saying.â
Harry stepped forward, handing him the glove. âGive this to her.â
Mikey took it. âAnd stay close,â Harry added, quieter now. âKeep an eye on her.â
Mikey straightened instantly, placing a hand over his chest. âDonât worry, Romeo. I will personally deliver this to her highness.â He lifted the glove slightly. âServing the queen is my greatest honor.â
Harry rolled his eyes. âJust give it to her.â
He turned back toward the limousine.
Ron reached into his coat and pulled out a small bottle, handing it to Mikey. âAlso, give this to Dana.â
Mikey turned it in his hand. ââŠwhat is this?â
âHer morning mix.â
Mikey squinted at the label. âWhy does this look like something that tastes healthy and terrible?â
Ron exhaled. âItâs very specific.â
âIâm tempted.â
âHey. Itâs for my girlfriend.â
Mikey raised a brow. âOh, so now itâs sacred.â
Harry was already getting back into the limousine. âRon.â
Ron nodded and moved to follow.
Mikey sighed dramatically, looking between them. âWhat am I, your personal courier now?â
The limousine door closed.
The car pulled away.
Mikey watched it go for a second, then looked down at the bottle again, turning it in his hand.
ââŠwhat the hell even is yuzu?â He frowned. âIs that a fruit⊠or a personality?â
The doors closed behind you with a quiet finality.
Your office felt exactly as it should. Still. Controlled. Untouched.
You set your bag down as you walked in, already slipping your coat off your shoulders in one smooth motion. Before it even reached the chair, Dana was there, taking it from you without breaking her rhythm.
She was already speaking.
âYour eleven oâclock board meeting has been confirmed,â she said, placing a folder neatly on your desk. âEmergency session, as requested.â
You nodded faintly, moving behind your desk.
âAt one, you have lunch with Mrs. Adler. Iâve moved it to a more private room at The Carlyle.â
âGood.â
Dana continued, already flipping a page on her tablet. âThree p.m., shareholder briefing. Mr. Smith will be joining remotely. Legal has sent over the updated documents; theyâre in the blue file.â Your eyes flicked briefly to the stack waiting for you. âAlso,â she added, âInvestor Relations prepared a statement draft. I took the liberty of editing it.â A small pause. âItâs better now.â
A faint smile touched your lips. âIâm sure it is.â
She gave a quick smile. Professional, as always.
âThe New York Womenâs Financial Consortium has requested a private meeting,â she continued. âTheyâre not asking for press. Theyâre asking for access.â
Your gaze sharpened slightly. âInteresting.â
âAdditionally,â Dana went on, âCNN has requested your presence for a live segment on their financial program this evening. I have not confirmed.â
You leaned back slightly in your chair. âDonât.â
âNoted.â
No hesitation. Dana tapped once more on her tablet, then shifted.
âTomorrow,â she said, tone just slightly quieter, âyour OB-GYN appointment has been scheduled.â
You stilled for half a second.
âMidday,â she added. âPrivate entrance. Minimal visibility, given the current situation.â
You leaned back fully now, exhaling softly.
âThank you, Dana. Youâre excellent.â
She inclined her head just slightly. âI do my best for you."
That almost made you smile.
âGo get coffee,â you added, already reaching for the file. âWeâll need it for the eleven.â
âIâll bring you a flat white,â she said smoothly. âAlmond milk.â
âPerfect.â
She turned to leaveâ
âand the door opened at the exact same time.
Mikey. âThis is for you,â he said to Dana, handing her the bottle. âYour boyfriend sent it.â
âAh⊠that idiot,â she murmured softly. âIâm sure he woke up early just to get this. If only he put the same effort into understanding basic relationship responsibilitiesâŠâ
âSweetheart,â you said calmly, âmen can usually focus on one thing at a time. He chose romance today. Let him have that.â
Dana giggled. âSo I should lower my expectations?â
âNo,â you said smoothly. âJust⊠pace them.â
"Noted it."
She stepped out.
Mikey huffed. âWow. I feel like I just witnessed a masterclass.â
âYeah. Take notes.â
Mikey leaned back in the chair across from you, arms loosely crossed, his expression caught somewhere between dramatic exhaustion and mild self-pity.
âI did take notes,â he said. âA lot of them. At this point Iâve gone through entire notebooks. Doesnât seem to make a difference though.â
You didnât look up immediately. You finished the line you were reading, set the paper down with quiet precision, and only then lifted your gaze to him.
âThatâs because youâre studying the wrong thing.â
Mikey frowned. âWhat does that even mean?â
You tilted your head slightly, observing him like you would any flawed strategy. âIt means,â you said calmly, âyouâre trying to become someone else. You went to the gym at six in the morning. And got some sleep instead of reading books you donât understand. That's not you. Be more like yourself. Youâre assuming she doesnât already like you.â
Mikey looked up. Actually looked. ââŠyou think she does?â
You didnât hesitate. âI know she does.â
He blinked, caught off guard by the certainty in your voice.
"Youâd be a lot more interesting if you stopped trying so hard.â
Mikey huffed out a quiet breath, somewhere between a laugh and disbelief. âSo your advice is⊠do nothing?â
âMy advice,â you corrected smoothly, âis to be yourself.â
âWow⊠thanks, Dr. Phil." You rolled your eyes. "Oh... and...this,â he said, pulling out your glove with a flourish, âis from your ex-husband, current boyfriend, Mr. Castillo.â
You looked up. A small smile. âOh. Thank you, Mikey.â
âOkay fun update,â he added. âLucasâ assistant canât reach him.â
Your brows lifted slightly. âReally.â
âReally,â Mikey nodded. âRumor is he got on his jet. Some say he already left the States.â
You leaned back slowly. A quiet breath leaving you. âGood.â
Mikey grinned. âYou buried him. I thought for a second he had you cornered.â
You tilted your head slightly. âI let him think that. Today,â you continued calmly, âI finish it.â Your gaze dropped briefly to the files. âBy the end of that meeting, he wonât exist in this company.â
Mikey sat up straighter. âThatâs my sister.â
Then, immediatelyâ âAlso, for the record, Iâm fully on your side.â
You glanced at him. âJust donât spend the meeting drawing hearts with initials again.â
He looked offended. âThat was one time.â
âIt was not one time.â
âIt was two times,â he corrected. âAnd Clarkson was talking like a dying tortoise. I needed stimulation.â
A laugh escaped you before you could stop it. âMikey.â
âIâm serious,â he continued. âIf that man pauses one more time mid-sentence, Iâm bringing a remote and fast-forwarding him.â
âGet out.â
He stood up immediately. âYes, maâam.â
The door closed.
The office fell quiet again.
You watched it for a second.
Then looked down.
Your phone lit up.
Harry.
A message.
HARRY: I assume you got your glove back. Iâd rather not have your hands cold.
Your lips curved instantly.
YOU: I did. Iâm surprised you didnât keep it. You usually collect my things.
Especially my panties.
The reply came fast.
HARRY: Who says I didnât? I still have the black ones.
You bit your lip, shaking your head slightly as you typed:
YOU: Donât tell me you took them all the way to London with you.
No reply.
A few seconds passed.
Thenâ
YOU: Harry???
You let out a quiet laugh under your breath.
Before you could type again, another message came in:
HARRY: You told me not to say it.
You actually laughed this time.
YOU: I canât believe you.
HARRY: I might have bought you something in London. Seems like the right way to make it up to you. You can try them on for me tomorrow night.
YOU: Hmm⊠You do make a convincing offer. Iâll think about it.
HARRY: You already know the answer. Iâll be waiting. Not very patiently.
You giggled.
YOU: Stop. I have work to do.
HARRY: Okay. Do your work. Iâll distract you later.
The next day.
1:12 p.m.
The elevator ride felt longer than it should have.
Your reflection in the mirrored walls looked composed, controlledâperfect, even. But your hands betrayed you. They trembled slightly at your sides, fingers curling in and out like you were trying to hold onto something that kept slipping.
Harry noticed.
He hadnât slept much. Not after spending half the night reading about Asherman syndromeâabout the risks, the complications, the quiet possibilities no one ever says out loud. It was why he understood the fear in your eyes before you even said a word. âHey.â
You looked up.
His eyes held yours completely. âWhatever happens in thereâŠâ he said quietly, his voice low but certain, âyouâre not doing it alone. Iâm right here. And nothing they say changes that. We deal with it together.â
He leaned in and pressed a slow kiss to your forehead.
You closed your eyes for a second, letting yourself lean into him, your head resting lightly against his chest.
âI know. Iâm glad youâre here.â
His arm wrapped around you, palm moving gently over your back in slow, grounding motions.
The elevator chimed.
You stepped out together.
The clinic was exactly as you remembered. Quiet. Cozy. Designed to soften the edges of something inherently clinical.
Warm lighting replaced harsh white. Soft beige tones. Clean, but not sterile. Even the scent was deliberateâsomething faintly herbal, calming without being noticeable.
A discreet coat stand stood near the entrance instead of a typical rack.
Harry helped you out of your coat without a word, his fingers brushing your shoulders briefly before placing it neatly alongside his.
The waiting area was empty. Completely. No other patients, no background noise, just the quiet hum of a place that had been intentionally paused. The assistant greeted you immediately, her smile warm but measured. âMs. Queen. Mr. Castillo. Dr. Wright is expecting you.â
You and Harry exchanged a glance.
âI can wait out here if you want,â he said quietly.
You knew that look. He would wait. But he didnât want to.
Your voice came softer this time. âPlease come with me.â
He nodded immediately. âSure.â
The door opened.
Dr. Eleanor Wright stood as you entered.
âMs. Queen,â she said warmly, her expression genuine. âItâs good to see you again.â
Then her gaze shifted. âMr. Castillo.â
Harry stepped forward slightly, offering his hand. âThank you for seeing us on such short notice.â
âOf course,â she said, shaking his hand. âGiven the circumstances, I wouldnât have had it any other way.â Her attention returned to you.
âI hope youâre holding up,â she added gently. âThe entire city seems to be following your life at the moment.â
You gave a faint, controlled smile. âIâm managing.â A small breath left you.
âThe reason Iâm hereâŠâ
Dr. Wrightâs expression softened just slightly. âYour mother called.â
You closed your eyes briefly. âOf course she did.â
âShe was⊠persuasive,â the doctor admitted lightly. Then, more professional again, âbut she also provided useful information. If youâre ready, we can begin.â
You nodded. âYes. Please.â
The room dimmed slightly again.
Familiar. Too familiar.
You moved toward the examination table. Harry stayed close, his hand brushing yours once before helping you settle.
Dr. Wright pulled up your chart on the screen.
âI reviewed your results,â she said, eyes scanning carefully. âYour beta hCG levels are significantly elevated. Higher than what we typically expect for a single pregnancy.â Your chest tightened. âBut given your medical history,â she continued calmly, âwe confirm everything via ultrasound.â
You nodded. âBecause early misinterpretation is possible.â
âExactly. Given your case, Iâll perform a transvaginal ultrasound. It provides a clearer image at this stage.â
You swallowed. âOkay.â
The assistant stepped closer, her movements calm, practiced, gentle. The gel was cold. You flinched immediately, your body reacting before you could control it. Harryâs hand found yours again instantly. You squeezed it. Harder this time. The probe moved gently, carefully.
Stillâyour body remembered. That same tension. That same vulnerability. That same instinct to pull away.
âTry to relax,â Dr. Wright said softly. âI know this isnât comfortable, Iâll go slowly.â
You nodded, eyes fixed upward. Your breathing uneven.
The pressure shifted slightly. A familiar sensation followed.
That strange, immediate urgeâlike you needed to move, adjust, react.
You knew it.
You had felt it before.
Still, it never got easier.
The machine hummed quietly.
Thenâ
the screen flickered to life.
All three of you looked at it.
Dr. Wright adjusted the angle, her focus sharpening.
Silence filled the room.
You could hear your own heartbeat.
Then she stilled. Just slightly. Her hand paused. She leaned closer. Adjusted again. Zoomed in. Your grip tightened on Harryâs hand.
ââŠDr. Wright?â your voice came out quieter than you intended.
She didnât answer immediately.
Insteadâshe spoke to the assistant, low and clinical, mentioning measurements, angles, something you barely processed.
Thenâshe stopped. âAlright,â she said softly. "Iâm going to ask you something.â
Was that bad news?
Your chest tightened. ââŠo-okay.â
âIs there a history of twins in your family?â
You blinked. Harry looked at you. You answered quietly. âNo.â
Dr. Wright smiled. That was the moment. You saw it. Before she said anything.
Your breath caught. ââŠyouâre serious?â you whispered.
She turned the screen slightly toward you. âYes.â She pointed. âThereâs one gestational sac here.â Then moved slightly. âAnd another here.â
Your hand flew to your mouth. âOh my GodâŠâ
Harry exhaled, stunned, eyes moving between the screen and you.
ââŠtwo,â he said quietly.
Dr. Wright nodded, her voice warmer now. âTwo embryos.â A small breath left her. âIn your case⊠thatâs extraordinary.â
Your vision blurred. Tears. You hadnât even noticed when they started.
Harry leaned down immediately, pressing a kiss into your hair, his own breath unsteady now. "...baby,â he murmured softly.
His eyes were glassy too, emotion breaking through despite himself. He glanced at the edge of the bed, then back at the doctor. âCan Iâ?â
Dr. Wright gave a small, understanding smile. âOf course. There's plenty of room.â
Harry didnât hesitate. He sat beside you, closer now, his arm immediately finding its place around you. You leaned into him, your arms wrapping around him as you pressed your face into his chest, grounding yourself there. His hand came up instantly, holding you close, fingers threading gently into your hair.
For a moment, neither of you spoke.
Dr. Wright glanced briefly at her assistant, a soft, knowing look passing between themâsomething warm, almost fond. Then her gaze returned to you both, her expression touched, quietly admiring.
âWell,â she said gently, a small smile forming, âtheyâre still very small⊠But we should be able to hear the heartbeats.â She adjusted the monitor, then added lightly, with a hint of humor: âThis is usually the part where most couples completely fall apart.â A soft exhale, almost a quiet laugh. âFair warning.â
Harry let out a breath you felt more than heard, his arm tightening around you just slightly as he looked toward the screen. ââŠwe can actually hear them?â he asked, his voice low, almost disbelieving.
Dr. Wright smiled. âYes,â she said softly. âYou can.â
A click.
Thenâ
sound.
Fast. Rhythmic. Strong.
Two distinct heartbeats. Filling the room. Everything else disappeared.
You clutched Harryâs arm, your entire body trembling now. âOh my GodâŠâ
âGodâŠdo you hear that?â he whispered.
You nodded, crying openly now. âYesâŠâ
Dr. Wright smiled gently. âBoth heartbeats are strong. Very strong.â
She continued taking measurements. âGiven their positioning, these appear to be dichorionic twinsâtwo separate sacs.â She glanced at the screen. âApproximately eight weeks.â
You wiped your eyes, trying to steady your breathing. ââŠeightâŠâ
A memory flickered. November. Vermont. You and Harry both went still. The same moment. You didnât say it. But you both knew.
You had been mourning something you thought was already lost, standing in the aftermath of a life that never got the chance to begin.
And somehowâin that same night, in the middle of that lossâ you had already been carrying another.
Dr. Wright continued, more serious now. âGiven your history, this is a high-risk pregnancy.â There it was. The other side of it. "Weâll monitor you closely,â she added. âVery closely,â Dr. Wright said, her tone measured, precise. âThe first trimester is critical under normal circumstances. In your case, Iâd like to extend that level of monitoring through the first twenty weeks.â She made a small note on the chart before continuing. âIâll arrange a tailored nutrition plan for youânothing extreme, just structured support to make sure your body is getting exactly what it needs.â A brief glance at you, reassuring. âIâll also consult with Dr. Keller and review your full history together.â Then, gently but firmly: âIâd like to see you again in three weeks.â Her expression softened just slightly. ââŠhowever, what Iâm seeing right now is good. Very good.â
You looked back at the screen. Still trying to process it. Two.
Not impossible. Not anymore.
Two.
And for the first time in a very long timeâ
you didnât feel like something was being taken away from you.
You felt like something had finally been given back.
Dr. Wright walked out with you, her tone shifting naturally from clinical to gently instructive as you moved back into the quiet waiting area.
âAs I said,â she continued, hands loosely folded in front of her, âyou need to rest whenever you can. As much as you can.â
You nodded, still half inside the moment you had just lived.
âSmall, frequent meals,â she added. âHealthy. Nothing extreme. And if you experience any bleeding, discomfort, anything unusualââ
âI call you,â you finished softly.
âImmediately,â she confirmed. âIf itâs anything significant, go straight to the ER. Otherwise, call me or come in.â
Harryâs hand brushed your lower back, steady, present.
âWe will,â he said.
Dr. Wright gave a small, approving nod. âAnd avoid stress as much as possible. No heavy lifting.â
Harry let out a quiet breath beside you. âDonât worry. If necessary, Iâll carry her until she gives birth.â
A soft laugh escaped you before you could stop it.
Dr. Wright smiled, amused, glancing briefly between you. âWell,â she said lightly, âyouâre clearly in very good hands.â
She made a final note, then looked back at you, her tone returning to calm professionalism. âIâll see you in three weeks, as planned. Until thenâtake care of yourself. Both of you.â
âThank you, doctor,â you said.
âThank you,â Harry echoed.
He reached for your coat before you even asked, holding it open for you. You slipped your arms in, still a little dazed, and he adjusted it over your shoulders, his hands lingering just a second too long.
You looked at him. A small, almost disbelieving smile. âI still canât believe it,â you murmured. âIâm actually pregnant.â
Harry let out a soft breath, something warm breaking through his composure. âYeah,â he said quietly. âMe too, baby.â His arms came around you, pulling you into him. You wrapped yours around his waist, holding on just a little tighter than usual. He buried his face lightly against your hair, his voice lower nowâalmost like he was still processing it himself.
âIâm going to be a dadâŠâ His grip tightened just slightly. ââŠI donât think Iâve ever been this happy.â
You closed your eyes for a second.
Thenâ
a sound.
Murmurs.
You opened your eyes.
Two women sat across the room, magazines lifted just a bit too high, shoulders slightly too tense.
They were trying.
Badly.
Your gaze dropped automatically.
Shoes first.
Of course.
Classic pointed stilettos in that unmistakable cut, the exact shade of ivory leather your mother had owned in three variations.
Then the bag. Same house. Same season.
You exhaled slowly. âYou gotta be kidding me.â
Harry followed your gaze, turning slightly.
His brows drew together. ââŠare you thinking what Iâm thinking?â
"Yeah."
And thenâ
you started walking.
On the couchâ
âAre they coming this way?â Vivienne whispered behind her magazine.
âKeep reading,â Scarlet murmured without moving. âWe are not here.â
âTheyâre definitely coming.â
âThen read faster.â
Too late.
Harry reached out first, lowering Vivienneâs magazine.
You followed, catching your motherâs before she could adjust it.
You glanced at the cover.
âCord blood donation?â you read flatly.
Harry looked down at his motherâs.
ââŠstem cell therapies?â
They both stood up.
âMom?â you said, arms crossing slightly. "You followed us?"
Harry narrowed his eyes at his mom. âI didnât know you were in New York.â
Scarlet and Vivienne exchanged a look. A very quick one.
Then Scarlet lifted her chin. âWe were not following you,â she said smoothly. âWe had an appointment.â
âRight,â you snapped.
Vivienne sighed, lowering her magazine completely. âOh, for Godâs sake, Scarlet.â
Scarlet shot her a look. âVivienne has been having⊠menopausal concerns,â she said.
Vivienne stared at her.
âSweet Jesus,â she muttered. âI went through menopause ten years ago.â
Scarlet blinked once. âDear God,â she replied coolly. âThat's early.â
Vivienne gave her a look.
Harry exhaled slowly. âAlright. Can we try that again, but like adults? Why are you actually here?â
Vivienneâs expression softened first. She glanced at you, then at Harry.
âWe were worried,â she admitted quietly. âAnd curious.â
Scarlet didnât deny it this time. Her gaze moved to you. ââŠis everything alright?â You smiled at her instinctively. âAm I going to be a grandmother?â
You and Harry looked at each other. That same look. The one from inside the room.
You reached into your bag slowly. Pulled out the ultrasound images. And handed them over.
âYes,â you said, your smile widening. "You both are.â
Scarletâs eyes moved over the print.
Then stilled.
Vivienne leaned closer.
âOhâŠâ
ââŠoh my God.â
Scarletâs fingers tightened slightly. She looked up at you, disbelief breaking through her composure. âTwins?â
You nodded. Harryâs hand found yours again. âYes.â
Vivienne let out a soft, breathless laugh, already emotional.
âThatâs⊠thatâs marvelous.â
She pulled Harry into a hug first, pressing a kiss to his cheek, then turned to you, wrapping her arms around you carefully, one hand moving instinctively to your hair. âCongratulations,â she murmured, her voice thick. âIâm so happy for you.â
Scarlet opened her arms wide and wrapping them around you. âMy baby...after everything,â she said quietly, her voice softer than you had ever heard it, âthis is⊠more than a blessing. Well, double blessing."
That made you laugh through your tears.
Harry smiled. Vivienne wiped at her eyes, still smiling.
Scarlet glanced back down at the image again, shaking her head slightly. âIncredible.â
âTheyâre so tiny,â Vivienne said softly.
You sniffed lightly, smiling.
Harry smiled too, his gaze still on the image. âYeah⊠like jellybeans.â
Vivienne sobbed and let out a soft laugh, glancing at Scarlet. âOur babies having babies, Scarlet.â
Scarlet shot her a look, though the emotion in her eyes gave her away.
âOh, stop,â she muttered, brushing at her eyes. âYouâre going to make me cry.â Then she exhaled, something warm settling into her expression as she looked back at you. âWell,â she said softly, âthen we have two jellybeans to take care of. But first, their mother.â
You smiled at the word mother.
Harryâs arm came around you instantly, pulling you gently into his side.
âDon't worry,â he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to your temple. âIâll take good care of her.â
You giggled. âIâd expect nothing less.â
For a moment, no one moved.
Vivienne and Scarlet drifted into quiet conversationâsoft laughter, shared memories, bits and pieces of their own pregnancies, small warnings and advice slipping into the air.
But you barely heard them.
You leaned into Harry instead, letting your head rest against him. You just stayed there, letting yourself feel it. This precious moment. Somewhere deep down, you knewâthis would be one of the moments youâd never forget.
That evening.Â
Harryâs office was quiet.
The kind of quiet that only came after hoursâwhen the building had started to empty, when conversations faded into distant echoes and the city outside began to shift into something slower, softer.
Beyond the glass walls, New York was slipping into evening. Lights flickered on one by one, streets glowing gold and amber as the last of the daylight disappeared between the buildings.
Inside, everything felt⊠still.
Harry sat at his desk.
The ultrasound photo rested in one hand.
In the otherâ
the ring.
Its box lay open on the desk, forgotten for the moment.
He didnât move.
He just looked at it.
The diamond caught the dim lightâsubtle, precise. Nothing excessive. Nothing careless.
Just right.
His fingers turned it slowly, the metal gliding against his skin as he exhaled under his breath.
A memory flickered.
The first time he had asked.
Different.
Everything had been different then.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Then his gaze dropped againâ
back to the ultrasound.
Something in his expression shifted. Softer. Deeper.
Quieter.
A breath left him.
Thenâ
A knock.
Ron stepped in a second later, already adjusting his cuff as he spoke.
âCarâs ready, boss. Weâre heading out in five.â
Harry didnât look up right away.
Ron followed his line of sight.
Noticed.
A slow, knowing grin spread across his face.
âWellâŠâ he said, tone shifting just slightly, amusement slipping in, âyour table at The Vestry is all set. Private room, no interruptions. Menuâs handled.â
A small pause.
âFigured youâd want everything⊠perfect.â
Harry closed the ring box, calm, deliberate.
âThanks, Ron.â
Ron leaned lightly against the doorframe now, watching him with a different kind of expression.
Softer.
âTomorrowâs the night, huh?â
Harry glanced up.
A faint smile.
âAbout time.â
Ron let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head.
âMan⊠Iâve been waiting for this since Ms. Queen walked into that company.â He huffed softly. âCrazy how much changed in such a short time.â
A beat.
âYou two went through a lot.â
His tone shifted, more sincere now.
âYou deserve some happines. Both of you.â
Harry held his gaze for a moment.
âThank you Ron.â
Ronâs grin came back almost immediately.
âSoâŠâ he added, unable to help himself, âyou think sheâll say yes?â
Harry didnât answer right away.
He slipped the ring box into his pocket, rising to his feet as he reached for his jacket.
Smooth. Certain.
Done.
A brief pause.
Then, almost under his breathâ
âIâm counting on it.â
Ron let out a laugh, shaking his head. âI mean⊠youâve got a pretty strong advantage. Two actually."
âRon. Donât make twin jokes in front of her.âÂ
"Noted."
Harry adjusted his cuff once, then looked toward the door. âCome on,â he said. âLetâs go get the girls.â
Ron beamed. âYeah! Weâve got a double date. Ah, rightâsteakâs on you tonight, remember?â
Harry didnât even look back. âOrder whatever you want.â
Ron grinned. âBest boss in Manhattan.â He turned toward the door, then leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as he covered his mouthâ âAnd, best soon-to-be daddy.â
Harry chuckled. âHopefully.â
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