Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“What do you mean?” My hackles rise, and he shakes his head.
“Relax. I mean, if she wasn’t on the guest list and nobody at the party knew who she was, then maybe she works there or was part of the catering?”
“I don’t think so. She was in a ballgown. Anyone dressed like that was definitely a guest.”
“Think about it, Leo. The staff in places like this know more about what goes on in these walls than we do.”
He has a point. My gorgeous girl wasn’t dressed like any of the staff that night, but maybe someone that works at the Cinder estate knows who she was. “You could be right.”
Something close to hope stirs inside of me, and I’m afraid to believe in it. I’ve spent the past two months miserable without her, and the spark inside of me has dwindled down to nothing. At this new line of inquiry, it begins to glow, but I’m so fucking scared that if I can’t find her it will die out altogether.
“It’s worth checking into. Let me make some calls and see if anyone knows someone that works there. We could set up a meeting so that the Vault twins have no idea.”
“Okay,” I agree, and I say a silent prayer that she’s coming back to me.
Chapter Nine
ELLA
Dr. Hart stares at me, waiting for a response to her question. I chew on my bottom lip, not sure if I want to do this. In the back of my mind, I’d thought this was a possibility, but I just couldn’t bring myself to believe that people really got pregnant from having sex one time.
“We’ll have the results quickly. Unless you haven’t been with anyone?” She lifts one of her perfect brows, and I swear it’s like she wants me to admit to some new love life I’ve gotten since I saw her last.
“I have,” I whisper, although it’s not a love story. I think most people would call it a one-night stand.
“Honey, you’re almost 21. You can have sex. I had a feeling this might be why you came in when Oliver called me. You’ve never asked me to put you on birth control when I’ve asked if you needed it during your yearly checkups.” She’s right, but at the time I really didn’t think I needed it. “Did he wear a condom?”
I put my face in my hands, feeling like a dummy. “I’m stupid.” It was stupid. Kind of? My emotions are all over the place. That night was one of the best of my life. I hadn’t felt so alive in years, and I wanted to treasure it. But as days went by, that happiness started to turn into the familiar ache of loss.
“You’re not stupid. Shit happens.” I drop my hands, loving how blunt and real she is. Dr. Hart gives me a warm smile. “You’ll know better next time, but I’d like to do some other tests besides the pregnancy one.”
“Oh gosh,” I groan.
I could have more than a baby? Of course I could! The man didn’t know my name, and he banged me without question. It was probably a normal Saturday night for him. I try to push those thoughts away because I have enough problems as it is on top of trying not to vomit.
“It will be quick,” she urges.
“No one will know, will they? Any of my results?” If I’m pregnant, this could change everything. I don’t think Matthew and Jace would be too happy about that.
“Of course not!”
“I’m sorry.” I give a small shrug, hating that I doubted her. Dr. Hart has always been a good doctor to me, but life has left me jaded. “Money can buy a lot of things in my world.”
“I promise you. No one but you and I will know anything. I’ll run the test myself and even use a different name for lab work.” She places her hand on mine, giving it a small squeeze to reassure me.
“Thank you.” A small weight lifts off my shoulders, not that it helps much. There’s still another ton there filled with worry.
“You don’t have to thank me, Ella. I’m your doctor. It’s my job to make sure you’re taken care of.”
“Okay, let's do this,” I agree. If I’m pregnant, then I need to make sure I am healthy. Not only for myself, but for the life that could be growing inside of me.
It doesn’t take long for Dr. Hart to confirm what I already thought, and tears break free. If I thought I was lost in my emotions before, this is a whole other level.
The only real family I have is growing inside of me right now. It might have been a one-night stand to my mystery man, but it’s going to be so much more for me.
“Ella, everything is going to be okay. Whatever you want—”