Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
The siren starts up again as we pull away, and I close my eyes, trying to breathe through the pain and fear.
I don't know how much time has passed when I open my eyes again.
The white ceiling and antiseptic smell tell me I'm in the hospital before I even fully register my surroundings.
"Hey, you're awake," Viper's voice comes from beside me.
I turn my head slightly—grateful to find the neck brace gone—and see him sitting in a chair next to the bed.
He looks exhausted, worry lines etched deep around his eyes.
"How long...?" I start to ask, but my throat is dry, the words catching.
Viper reaches for a cup of water, helping me take a sip. "A few hours. They ran some tests, gave you something for the pain. How are you feeling?"
I consider the question.
The sharp pain in my back has dulled to a persistent ache, and my head feels fuzzy. "Like I got hit by a truck," I admit. "But better than before."
He nods, squeezing my hand. "The doctor should be in soon with the results."
As if on cue, there's a knock at the door, and a woman in a white coat enters. "Ms. Ashton? I'm Dr. Patel. How are you feeling?"
I repeat my truck analogy, which earns me a small smile. "That's to be expected," she says. "We've got your initial test results back, but we need to run one more. We'd like to do an ultrasound."
My brow furrows in confusion. "An ultrasound? Is that... for my back?"
Dr. Patel's expression turns serious. "Ms. Ashton, before I answer that, I need to ask—do I have your permission to speak freely in front of Mr. Beckett here?"
I glance at Viper, seeing the concern in his eyes.
Despite everything, there's no one I trust more. "Yes," I say, turning back to the doctor. "Whatever it is, you can say it."
Dr. Patel nods, her voice gentle but firm as she says, "We need to do an ultrasound to check on the baby's condition."
The world seems to tilt. "Baby?" I repeat, the word feeling foreign on my tongue. "What baby?"
My heart races as I try to process this bombshell.
A baby?
How?
When?
My mind whirls, grasping for any sense of control.
I turn to Viper, expecting to see shock mirroring my own, but instead, I'm met with a radiant smile.
His eyes are lit up like I've never seen before, a mix of joy and wonder etched across his face.
"We're having a baby?" he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.
His happiness only intensifies my panic.
This wasn't planned.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
I'm barely holding my own life together, how am I supposed to be responsible for another human being?
"I... I can't..." I stammer, feeling overwhelmed. "I don't know how to be a mother. I'm not ready for this."
Dr. Patel's voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. "Ms. Ashton, I understand this is a lot to take in. We'll have a nurse take you for the ultrasound shortly. We'll be extra careful due to your broken ribs."
Broken ribs.
Right.
That explains the searing pain in my back.
Viper leans in close, his warm hand enveloping mine. "Hey, baby girl, look at me," he says softly. "We're gonna deal with this together, okay? Don't freak out."
I want to believe him, to feel his confidence, but fear grips me tight. "Viper," I choke out, "we can't keep hiding anymore. We can't wait for Allegra to leave. We need to tell her... about us, about this. And I... I want to be the one to tell her."
He nods slowly, understanding the weight of what I'm saying. "Okay," he agrees. "If that's what you want, we'll do it."
His support should comfort me, but I can't shake the dread. "What if she hates me? What if I mess this up? God, Viper, I'm so scared."
Viper's tattooed arms wrap around me gently, mindful of my injuries. "I love you, Iris," he says fiercely. "We'll figure this out. I promise."
Despite everything, a warmth spreads through me at his words.
"I love you too," I whisper back, clinging to him like a lifeline in the storm of my emotions.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Viper
The world stops spinning for a moment as I stare at Iris, her dark eyes wide and vulnerable.
Pregnant.
The word echoes in my mind, ricocheting off the walls of my skull like a stray bullet.
I blink, trying to process this bombshell that's been dropped on us.
"Viper? Did you hear me?" Iris' voice is soft, hesitant.
Her tattooed hand reaches out to touch my arm, and I realize I've been standing here like a statue for God knows how long.
I clear my throat, forcing a smile onto my face. "Yeah, baby. How are you feeling today?"
Iris has been in the hospital for a day now, and will likely be here for a few more.
At least now she has a private room.
Iris swallows hard, “I’m achy, but I’m okay.”
I can see the fear in her eyes, the uncertainty.