Page 56 of Hayes

"Ten years. I am sorry. What's this all about?"

"Is he in? I would like to have a word."

"I am afraid he is in consultation with a patient. If you like, I could take a message and have him call you back."

"No, that's fine. I will call back." Hanging up the phone, Hayes leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. The woman sounded legitimate enough, but that did not mean she wasn’t part of this elaborate scheme.

But for now, he had some things to take care of and before this got any further, he was going to tell the woman he loved that he might have gotten his ex pregnant. He was not looking forward to it. Not one bit.

*****

"Mr. Marsden, I know you said no interruptions–"

"Yes, what is it, Gretchen?"

"Your fiancee is trying to get hold of you. She said she tried you on your mobile–"

"Put her through. I am sorry, gentlemen, but I have to take this." Barely waiting until the men had left and Gretchen closed the doors, he grabbed the receiver as soon as the call was put through. "Baby, are you okay?"

"I am spotting." She sounded scared and tense and transferred the anxiety to him.

"Where are you?"

"On my way to the doctor. Will you meet me there?"

"What did she say?" Pushing away from the desk, he got ready to grab a jacket.

"She is trying to assure me that there is nothing to worry about. She said that it's normal. But with my history–"

"You are not taking chances. Darling, hang up. I am going to call you on my cell."

Shrugging into his outer coat, he issued orders to his assistant. "I will be out for the rest of the day. Reschedule the appointments and only forward important calls to me."

"Yes, sir." The woman responded in her coolly polite and professional voice and immediately went to work.

Hayes called her as soon as he entered the car. "How are you? Where are you?"

"I am scared, Hayes. And I am just driving into the parking lot now."

"I am precisely ten minutes away."

"I am not going to wait on you."

"No, go on in." He hung up from her, his heart thumping inside his chest. He was sure it was not detrimental, or else the doctor would have insisted on her going straight to the hospital. But so much was hinged on them having this baby.

He would marry her whatever the result, but he knew she was depending on the baby surviving. He found himself praying earnestly as he sped through the light and made the turn.

*****

"I am going to do a thorough examination even though I know the fetus is not in any danger," Dr. Hensen said with a smile. "But to put your mind at ease, I am going to do a thorough examination. When did you start spotting?"

"I was at my desk, and my panties felt moist." Camelia barely stopped herself from twisting her fingers into a knot.

"How much blood?"

"Just spots, and they look dark brown, instead of red. Shouldn't we–you be checking? I could be losing my baby–"

"Any cramps?"

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