CHAPTER 5

Chapter 5

The Big Question

Caroline’s POV

The apartment was quiet when I walked inside. Too quiet. Gina was supposed to be back from work already. Where could she be? I hope she's okay.

“Gina! Gina!! There was no answer.

I pulled my phone out and called Gina’s number but there was no answer.

I frowned, I tossed my bag onto the couch. “Gina?”

Yet there was nothing. She's not in the house and she's not answering her calls. That was weird. Gina wasn’t the type to leave the door unlocked unless she was inside. And she definitely wasn’t the type to ignore me when I got home.

A small knot of worry formed in my stomach.

I walked around every room, checking the kitchen first. But she wasn't there.

“Gina?” I called again, peeking into the guest bathroom. There was no sign of her.

I checked the living room. The small dining area. Even the balcony.

Hmmm…

My heartbeat picked up. Where was she?

Feeling uneasy, I walked toward her bedroom door. It was slightly open. If she wasn't there then I would definitely panic. I pushed it open…

And there she was, stretched out across the bed, dead asleep and looking so innocent.

Relief crashed over me so hard I let out a breathless laugh. Look at the person I was looking for..

She must have been exhausted from working late at the bar last night. Yes, she does two jobs. The art gallery and the bar. She is such a workaholic.

I stood in the doorway, debating whether to wake her.

I should let her sleep. She needed it.

But…

I really wanted to tell her what happened to me today. I just couldn't hold it anymore.

I hesitated while staring at her.

Then, with absolutely no remorse, I walked over and nudged her shoulder. “Gina. Wake up.”

She groaned, burying her face into the pillow.

I nudged her again. “Gina, wake up. I'm back.”

Another groan. “Go away. I want to sleep.”

I shook her harder. “No. I need to talk to you. I promise it's important.”

“Caroline,” she whined. “I just fell asleep. I had a long day.”

“I know, I know. But it’s important, please.” I pleaded, making the best puppy face I could get.

She peeked one eye open, glaring at me. “You better be dying.”

I grinned. “Not quite. But close.”

She groaned dramatically, rolling onto her back. “You’re so selfish. Stupid girl.”

“I know,” I said, plopping down on the bed beside her. “But you love me anyway. And you love the stupidgirl.”

She sighed, rubbing her face and shaking her head. “Alright. What happened?”

I took a deep breath. “So… today at work, Kane and I were going over some final details for the exhibit and…”

Her eyes snapped open. “Kane?”

I nodded.

She sat up, suddenly looking much more awake. “You and Kane? Alone? Again?”

I rolled my eyes. “It was just work.”

She smirked. “Sure. Work.”

I ignored her. “Anyway, I started feeling nauseous again. And this time, it was bad. I barely made it to the restroom in time.”

Her teasing expression faded into concern. “Caro, this keeps happening.”

I sighed. “I know.”

“And Kane still doesn’t know?”

I shook my head.

She studied me for a moment. Then she sighed, running a hand through her messy hair. “Caroline… you have to tell him.”

I looked away. “I will. Just… not yet.”

She crossed her arms. “Why are you waiting?”

“Because!” I threw my hands up. “I don’t know how he’s going to react! What if he thinks I’m using this pregnancy to trap him or something?”

Gina scoffed. “That man is a billionaire. I promise you, if anyone should be worried about being trapped, it’s you.”

I groaned, flopping onto my back. “I just… I need more time.”

She sighed, shaking her head. “Fine. But you can’t hide this forever.”

“I know,” I muttered.

She smirked. “Especially not when you keep running to the bathroom like a dramatic soap opera heroine.”

I threw a pillow at her.

She laughed, dodging it. “Get some sleep, Mommy-to-be.”

I groaned. “I hate you.”

“Love you too, babe.”

The next morning, I dragged myself to work, still exhausted.

Kane was already in his office, looking as put together as always. Meanwhile, I felt like I was one strong breeze away from collapsing.

“Late night?” he asked as I walked in.

I scoffed. “Something like that.”

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t press.

We got to work, going over final details for the exhibit. But as the work went on, that familiar queasy feeling crept in.

I clenched my jaw, trying to ignore it.

It got worse.

The room felt too warm. My stomach churned.

I swallowed hard, willing it to stop.

Kane was talking, but his voice was fading in my ears. I gripped the table, trying to stay focused.

But the nausea slammed into me like a freight train.

I shot up from my seat.

Kane frowned. “Caroline?”

I couldn’t answer.

I barely managed to slap a hand over my mouth before I sprinted out of his office.

I heard his chair scrape back as he stood, but I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t.

I bolted down the hall, shoved open the restroom door, and barely made it to the toilet before I threw up.

Tears covered my eyes as I gripped the sink afterward, breathing heavily.

This was getting so much worse.

I rinsed my mouth, splashed cold water on my face, and forced myself to breathe.

Okay. Okay. I just had to act normal.

I wiped my face one last time, took a deep breath, and stepped out of the restroom.

Kane was waiting.

I froze.

His arms were crossed, and staring at me with his sharp eyes.

I forced a smile. “Hey.”

He didn’t return it. “Are you pregnant?”

My stomach dropped.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

I didn't know what to do.

Kane tilted his head, watching me. “Well?”

My heart thumped.

I had seconds to figure out what to say.

And I had no idea what to do.