Page 66 of Malicious Marriage
“Understandable, you had quite a shocking night. I wanted to let you know that everything came back fine. I have no concerns about your health and all your superficial wounds will heal quickly.”
“That’s good to know.” I glance in the mirror and slightly stick out my lower lip where the healing cut is hidden under lipstick and concealer. “Honestly, I can barely even feel anything anymore.”
“As for the painkillers I prescribed to you, have you been taking them?”
“Yes. I haven’t felt any pain in my neck since that day.”
“Good. You’ll be relieved to hear that they won’t affect your baby, although I do wish you had informed us you were pregnant before I prescribed them.”
My stomach falls right out of my ass. “What?”
“It’s important to disclose that kind of information, Clover, so that we don’t prescribe anything that can affect fetal development, regardless of whether you plan on keeping the baby or not.”
Pregnant.
I’m pregnant?
No. There’s no way. I can’t be. Dean and I didn’t even… I mean, that was only what, three or four weeks ago? “There must be some mistake.” I laugh awkwardly. “I’m not pregnant.”
“Yes, my dear. You are. It may be the very early stages and your way forward is your own choice, but you very much are. Did you not know?”
“How?” I gasp hoarsely. “How can you even tell?”
“Your husband ordered a full workup which included every test on blood and urine.”
“There must be some mistake!”
“There is no mistake. Mr. Savoy was clear. If you would like to come back in and I can run some more?—”
“No, no, thank you!” I cut her off quickly. “I have to go, I’m sorry!”
Hanging up, my phone slips from my fingers and hits the floor.
Pregnant.
No way.
I can’t be.
Before I have time to process it, the wedding march drifts through the door and Bobby reappears with his elbow cocked and a wide smile. “Ready to get married?”
The ceremony itself passes in a complete blur and I have never been more thankful that we kept it small. I walked down the aisle with Bobby by my side while Jack, Frankie, Thomas, and Don sat on either side as our witnesses. The only other people in the room were Dean’s security team who were keeping an eye on everything. I’m handed off to Dean who looks absolutely stunning in his dark rum suit, and with his warm hand in mine, everything else melts away.
There was his touch, and the doctor’s words flashing around my mind while the minister recited words I didn’t hear. I blink and I’m facing Dean, who was saying things to me, vows he’d likely prepared, but he might as well have been speaking another language. When it comes to my turn, I stumble over all my rehearsed words about how kind he is, how thankful I am we found each other and how excited I am for the future. Through it all, one word remains in my mind.
Baby.
By the time I make it through my vows, tears fill my eyes and Dean’s hand becomes my anchor through the storm of emotions in my chest. Rings are exchanged, words are shared, and suddenly, everyone is on their feet clapping and cheering while Dean’s warm hand touches my cheek and guides me in for a sweet, gentle kiss.
It brings me crashing back to reality and I remember to react in time to make the kiss believable, not that it’s difficult. My attraction to Dean has never been the issue.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Savoy.” Dean’s smile radiates from him like a beacon all the way home and it doesn’t fade until we’re back in Byrne manor with Dean chuckling as he tries to help me out of my dress.
“I think that went rather well, don’t you?”
“I do,” I reply, staring at his reflection in the mirror. “Do you think people will buy it?”
“I made sure a few sneaky pictures were taken to make it into the news, so even if people have doubts, it will be all over the internet within a few hours. Dean Savoy is off the market. Those who matter will assume the next step is a baby, but we don’t need to worry about that. You have no idea how much breathing room this arrangement has given me, so thank you, Clover.”