Page 70 of Wicked Throne

“You can’t tell anyone about this,” I murmured.

“Of course not,” she said. “You’re my patient, and most importantly one of my best friends. Now hold still…”

I looked over and she had a wand, with a condom on it.

Jesus, be a fence, I thought.

Within minutes, Naomi had successfully inserted the medical device into my nether region and we were both starring at the screen. It appeared to be just a tiny bean there.

And already a heartbeat was thumping away.

We looked at each other and after a few minutes, I began to feel overwhelmed.

Me, a mother?

Was the universe fucking serious?

“Have you told Thierry yet?” Naomi's voice cut through and forced me to focus.

“No. He left on a business trip early this morning.”

“What are you thinking?”

She began to print off the sonograph, and when it was done she handed it to me.

“What do you mean?”

“You have options, Diamond. I know that your marriage to Thierry isn’t ideal.”

“You mean like an abortion?”

“Yes. Or adoption…”

Looking down at my “Bean,” the tears started up again. How could I give it up, or get an abortion? Not now when I knew it was for sure real.

“I’m going to tell him. And you already know I can afford to take care of a baby.”

Naomi’s hand covered mine. “I just wanted to make you aware. Babies are amazing. Just ask Carmen.”

Laughing, “I will. Paul actually texted me yesterday, Carmen is going in to be induced in a few days.”

“Yes, I know. I’m going to stop by when she goes into labor. Alright get dressed, I’m going to write a prescription for some prenatal vitamins. Gonna leave it upfront. Make sure you take them, okay.”

“I will,” I took a deep breath, still holding the sonogram.

Naomi was just out of the door but peeked back in. “Hey, Ivy…”

“Yes?”

“Congratulations, bitch!” she chuckled loudly and closed the door behind her.

Me, a mommy?

The world had surely gone to hell. And on top of it, I was having a baby by Satan himself. I made up my mind that I would get a gift box from The Magnolia Bloom and put a copy of the sonogram inside.

I couldn’t wait to watch him carefully undo the ribbon.

The way his hands would give an excited tremor as he peeled back the paper and then…