Page 3 of My husband bet I’d miscarry and made 1 billion

The banquet was held at Roman's newly purchased hotel. The lights were dazzling, and every type of liquor imaginable was available. The city's wealthy elite had gathered together, holding wine glasses as they clustered in small groups, excitedly discussing the upcoming gambling event.

I wore an evening gown as Roman led me by the hand through the crowd. I maintained a smile on my face while enduring the scrutinizing gazes from all around. A lady approached enviously: "Mrs. Patel, you're so lucky. Roman treats you so well."

I smiled without responding.

Layla wore an eye-catching red evening dress, weaving energetically among the guests. She boasted to everyone about Roman's capabilities and claimed I would surely continue the Patel family bloodline.

"I'm telling you all, Roman has brought in the world's top experts this time. I'm definitely going to have a grandson," Layla said smugly, making promises to several ladies.

Those ladies immediately became excited, gathering around her to quietly probe for inside information about the gambling event.

Not far away, several pot-bellied male guests surrounded Colton in his white coat. They weren't there to consult about medical issues, but to fish for "inside data" about my body.

"Colton, what are the odds of Mrs. Patel's physical condition producing a son?" one man asked.

Another man chimed in: "Yeah, give us a hint. That way we can prepare ourselves mentally."

Colton pushed up his glasses, pretending to refuse to reveal anything, though his eyes couldn't hide his smugness at being pursued by the crowd.

This banquet wasn't a celebration at allit was a "showcase." Roman was displaying me to everyone as the "stakes" of his gambling game.

Roman led me to the center of the hall. The large screen behind him began playing a carefully crafted videoclips of him and me being "loving," set to deeply romantic background music. The video ended with a freeze-frame of my face from my first pregnancy, filled with blissful happiness.

Then the screen went black, and a line of text appeared: [Tragedy has passed, true love is eternal.]

Roman picked up the microphone, his voice breaking with emotion: "Thank you all for coming. Many of you know that not long ago, my beloved wife Valentina and I experienced a painful loss."

He raised his hand to wipe the corner of his eye and continued: "But love has made us choose to stand up again. To honor the child we lost and to welcome new life in the future, I've decided..."

Roman deliberately paused, scanning the entire venue, savoring the moment when everyone held their breath in anticipation. Then he raised his voice: "I've decided to open another gambling event!"

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then erupted in excited whistles and applause. The atmosphere instantly became electric.

Roman grew more excited as he spoke, his cheeks flushing: "This time the scale will be unprecedented. We'll bring in the most authoritative notarization team to supervise the entire processabsolutely fair, just, and transparent."

He excitedly pulled me into his embrace, planted a loud kiss on my cheek, then announced loudly: "And after paying out the winnings, I'll donate all remaining proceeds to establish a charitable foundation to help other families who have similarly lost children."

The atmosphere reached its peak, with thunderous applause. Everyone was cheering for Roman's "devotion" and "benevolence."

I stood beside him, coldly watching the surrounding commotion and cheers. Just as the atmosphere reached its most fervent point, I suddenly felt dizzy, my body went weak, and I instinctively pressed my hand to my forehead.

"Roman, I feel a bit dizzy."

The smile on Roman's face instantly froze. He quickly supported me, his urgency seeming genuine: "What's wrong? Where don't you feel well? Doctor! Colton!"

The banquet was interrupted because of this.

I was helped into the lounge. Colton frowned throughout his examination, not saying a word. Roman and Layla paced back and forth nearby, creating a suffocating tension. Finally, Roman couldn't take it anymore and burst out: "What's wrong with her? Say something!"

Colton looked up, his expression complex as he studied us. Taking a deep breath, he slowly announced: "Mr. Patel, based on my preliminary examination, Mrs. Patel appears to be pregnant again."

The entire lounge fell silent. Roman's face shifted from surprise to pure joy, then that joy transformed into something greedy. His eyes gleamed with eager anticipation: "She's pregnant?"

Roman's voice cracked, dry and hoarse. Colton nodded: "Very likely. But for a definitive diagnosis, she'll need to return to the hospital tomorrow for detailed tests."

Roman suddenly burst into laughter. He swept me up in his arms, spinning me around forcefully. He held me so tight it hurt my bones. Laughing, Roman said: "Did you hear that, Valentina? You're pregnant again! My betting game can finally begin in earnest."

Layla snapped to attention and rushed over. Her hand hovered above my belly, wanting to touch but not daring to: "Wonderful! The Patel family will have an heir! This time you must be carefulwe can't have another accident."

The two of themone only cared about money, the other only about offspring. Roman set me down and cupped my face, kissing me hard: "Valentina, you truly are my lucky charm."

With that, Roman pulled me along as we returned to the banquet hall with high spirits. He grabbed the microphone from the emcee, his voice trembling with excitement: "Everyone! Great news!"

All eyes focused on him. Roman continued: "Valentina is pregnant again!"

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then erupted in cheers and whistles. The timing was almost too perfectlike a staged performance. The "stakes" were in place before the betting had even begun. Roman raised his arms high, looking down at the crowd below: "Therefore, I declare the betting officially open!"

He swung his hand down forcefully, and the large screen behind him immediately displayed various betting options and odds, numbers scrolling rapidly. Roman raised his voice again, with cruel amusement: "This time, we're betting on boy or girl, and whether it's twins or a boy-girl pair."

He paused, savoring the moment as the entire room waited in silence. Then he added: "To make this game more meaningful, and to commemorate this 'gift of life,' I've decided to place the final bet onwhether my child can survive safely for one month."

I gently caressed my belly and gave him an approving smile: "The game has finally begun. Roman, you'd better place a big bet this time."