Stacey's POV
"She's fine, Mr. Smith. Her vital signs are normal and you didn't hit her. Gladly. So, there's nothing for you to be worried about."
"Then why did she faint?"
"I did the necessary tests and discovered that she was one month pregnant. She fainted due to stress and started spotting, but the baby is fine now, so there's no need for you to worry. Congratulations, Mr. Smith."
"Is it possible? Knowing my case, doctor. It was impossible," he doubted.
"Well, maybe. But a miracle happened and you should embrace it, Mr. Smith. I understand your doubt but this is real, sir. She is pregnant," the doctor convinced the young man.
I'm… pregnant?
After what I went through yesterday, now I'm pregnant? This is hard to process. I am pregnant and I didn't know about it.
Their voices echoed in my ears, but one sentence remains, and that is, I'm pregnant. I opened my eyes and was exposed to an unfamiliar room, making me look around, and my eyes landed on the person standing at the right side of the bed. He was talking to the doctor when his attention was drawn to me, and he informed the doctor that I was awake.
"How are you feeling, Stacey?" He questioned.
I woke up, held my head because a sudden headache kicked in. Perhaps I'm so stressed that I'm suffering from a headache, or maybe I hit my head when the cat hit me. My eyes wander around before focusing on the man whom I didn't know.
"Who are you? Where am I?" I asked.
The young man turned to the doctor and immediately understood what he wanted. He nodded before heading out, leaving me and this man alone.
"I almost hit you with my car. You fainted due to stress and—" I cut him off.
"I'm pregnant," I murmured while touching my belly where life is growing.
"Yes, you are. That's why I suggest you stay here because you—" I didn't let him finish again by standing up.
"Thank you, but I can handle myself. I have to leave," I turned my back and approached the door but I was immediately stopped by what he said.
"Are you going back to your family, Stacey? To your father who never wanted you?" He murmured.
I faced him and answered, "Look, mister whoever you are. You don't know me or my story, so you don't get to judge me. Besides, I'm not going back to my father's mansion. He already disowned me…"
"Then when are you going?"
I looked down, holding my tears back. "I'm leaving to see my grandmother, who's already dead, and I didn't even know about it."
"You should stay, Stacey."
My eyebrows met when he mentioned my name for the third time today. I lifted my head and inquired, "Who are you? How did you know my name?"
The young man stepped forward and replied, "One month ago, you had a one-night stand with someone, and that mistake bloomed." His eyes landed on my stomach before turning back at me, "That man is me."
I scoffed, "So you are proudly telling me that you got me pregnant after knowing this baby messed up my life? I'm sorry, mister. But I'm not keeping this baby and I will do anything to get rid of it. So, do not expect anything!"
"Even if I told you I'm your childhood friend?" He murmured.
"You're bluffing. Connie left when we were in grade school, and until now, I haven't heard anything from him, so how come—" I paused for a second when he didn't twitch and only stared at me.
I widened after realizing he was telling me the truth. I walked closer to him and, without a second thought, I slapped him harder. "Fourteen years. I've been wondering for fourteen years what happened to you, and now you are telling me you're that boy?"
I chuckled sarcastically, "How ironic, isn't it? You left me when I badly needed you, and now you have come back when things are messed up in my life. Did you intentionally impregnate me that night, huh?!"
"I have to leave, Stacey. I need to give my mother a better life. You know how messed up my life is, too. But it doesn't mean I forgot about you," he explained.
Connor came up to me and held my hand, caressing it while staring into my eyes. Those family comforts wrapped me, making me feel he's telling the truth.
"I did everything to find you. After that night, you live in my mind rent-free. I searched for you and discovered you are the girl I left fourteen years ago, so I used all my power to find out where you are. Until I learn everything that happened yesterday, Stacey…"
I averted my gaze but he held my chin to look me back at him, "I found where your grandmother is buried. I will bring you to her."
My tears started piling up in my eyes. "Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me despite knowing our differences? Look at you now, Connor. You are rich and I'm still me."
"Because I made a promise to you when we were in grade school, remember? I promise to protect you from them and that's what I'm going to do. Your pregnancy is a miracle because I was diagnosed as infertile, but here you are proving that fate can change…"
His eyes were telling me the truth. I can see the sincerity in it, and I recognize those blue eyes. I quickly felt the comfort I had lost fourteen years ago, but my trust was already broken once and I don't know if I can give him my trust after what Nathan did to me.
I moved away from him and uttered, "Things are no longer the same now, Connor. Our world is not the same. I have a proposal, and I hope you'll agree with it."
"I'm all ears."
"I will not get rid of your baby, carry it, and deliver it after nine months. I have suffered my whole life, and the only person who made me stronger all these years has been taken from me. I want them to regret it. I want them to feel the pain I'm feeling right now, and I need your help to achieve that."
"We don't have to make a contract, Stacey. I will help you willingly," he answered.
"But I don't want you to get involved in my life, Connor. After you help me become a better version of myself, get a better life, and achieve my goal. I will disappear from your life and leave no trace. I will not disturb you after giving birth, and forget that we become part of each other's lives." I exhaled deeply and added, "That's all I wanted…"
His expression was serious, like he seemed to have second thoughts about my offer. Later on, he exhaled in disbelief. "Fine, but you have to marry me."
"For what reason?"
"If you want them to think we're a real couple, you have to marry me. Your father has been working on getting me as his investor, but I always refuse after learning the things he'd done to you. When he discovers you are my wife, he'll crawl back to you."
A marriage. I was supposed to marry Nathan, but he chose to betray me with my sister. But I have to commit to this plan to make it work.
I nodded after thinking deeply, "I will marry you."
"It's settled then. You will hide from their radar until the engagement party is held, Stacey. We will surprise them with a new you," he commented.