12
Eight Months Later
Olivia
I can’t believe it. I’m pregnant. I mean, sure, I was trying to conceive, and after fertility treatments, it gave me the best odds, but I didn’t think it would happen.
My fear had gotten the best of me. Wondering if Jace would hate me for not being able to conceive, sue me for the advance of funds, and force me to pay back all the expenses from living in the apartment he’s provided.
It’s not like I’ve been sitting around all day doing nothing. I’ve been working full time for Jace’s company, Barone Industries, running the reception desk for the fifteenth floor. It pays well and keeps me busy. Plus, I like not having to go to Jace for money. I mean, he still technically pays me, but I’m earning that money fair and square.
Asking for an advance was humiliating.
I don’t ever want to do that again, which encouraged me to go for it. Why wouldn’t I take it if he was willing to extend a hand and give me a job?
At least I can save up money because I’ll have to find somewhere else to live after the baby is born. But Jace is also paying me handsomely for my time while pregnant, so I should be able to afford a place of my own.
That’s months away.
I stare at the pregnancy test. All six that I took show that I’m pregnant. I didn’t believe the first one and thought it might have been a false positive.
But every test is showing positive, and they’re different brands.
It can’t be a fluke.
I’m pregnant.
My stomach bubbles with nerves. I should text Jace, but I’m heading to work this morning. Telling him in person, that feels like the right thing to do.
He’ll be happy.
Ecstatic.
I want to see that look of joy on his face.
I shower, dress, and head into the office.
Hurrying toward his office, the door is open, but the lights are off.
Jace isn’t in yet.
He usually is in before I show up and he stays well after I leave. The man practically lives in the office.
How he plans to raise a kid is beyond me.
Where is he?
Is everything okay?
“Looking for someone?” Matteo asks. He holds a cup of coffee in his hand, and the steam wafts into the air before he takes a sip.
“I wanted to speak with Mr. Barone,” I say, careful not to call him by his first name. We’re casual when we’re together, but at work, he’s the boss. I have to make sure that I keep it professional. I don’t want rumors flying, especially when people find out that I’m pregnant.
I don’t intend to tell anyone that I’m the surrogate for his baby. If he decides to tell people, that’s on him.
“He’s busy this morning,” Matteo says. His tone is curt. He doesn’t like me.
He’s never liked me since the moment I showed up for my interview.