Page 74 of The Billionaire's Pact

“Great, thank you.” I shook her hand. We went inside the room, and she sat behind the desk, and I pulled up a chair.

She took out a notepad and pen. “Date of your last period?”

“May seventeenth,” I said.

Her brows rose. “You know the exact date.”

“Yes, I do,” I nodded.

If my grandmother hadn’t been so adamantly obsessed with my uterus, I wouldn’t have remembered. Still, I double checked using the calendar on my phone. My last period was a week before graduation. Three weeks ago? I rechecked the calendar. An appointment caught my eye.

Yarwood Springs FaceTime with Jacob 1 p.m.

Dr. Vitale checked my pulse. “You can send me the information from your last medical checkup. Just sign this release.”

I filled out a form and handed it back to her.

“I understand from your fiancé, that you are exclusive?” Her voice raised an octave.

I smoothed my damp hands down the front of my dress. “Yes. I was sexually active for the first time yesterday. We used condoms.”

Her brows rose. “Okay, I’ll check your vitals and do an exam.”

Dr. Vitale went at a slow pace and checked in with me to see how I was feeling as she checked over my pulse and heart. It put me at ease as she did the rest of the physical exam. Even though I’d been checked at the college clinic not that long ago, I was a bit nervous that she’d find something. However, she smiled and said, “You’re healthy.” Then she gave me time and privacy to put my clothes back on.

When I returned from the bathroom, I sat down on the edge of the bed, and Dr. Vitale took a seat at the desk in the room. “Now, let’s discuss birth control. I can give you pills, a shot, or the implant.”

“How long does the shot last?” I asked.

Dr. Vitale took out three boxes and some pamphlets and placed them on the desk. “Three months, and you’ll have to come back for another one. The pill would depend on you remembering to take them. I would suggest the implant if you want long-term birth control.”

The implant was too permanent. The shot gave me time, but I didn’t have much of it, and if anything happened, I’d be in trouble. “I’ll take the pill.”

She handed me the box. “All right. You take one a day for twenty-one days, then a week break for your period. I’ll leave a prescription for more. They don’t protect from diseases, so get regular checkups.”

“Thank you very much,” I said and shook her hand again. I left for the bathroom and filled a cup of water to take the first pill, then returned to her in the bedroom.

She smiled. “Communication is the most important part of a marriage. Plan ahead with your partner, understand?”

“Yes, I do.” I shook her hand. “Thank you.”

Rocco was near the door when I got out. The corner of his mouth had turned down when she said the pill. However, he shook her hand, then walked her out to the car.

When he returned, I braced myself for a fight, but he gazed at me tenderly. “I’ll put the pill in my calendar to help you remember.”

I had expected Rocco to control me like my grandparents and Mama had, but he didn’t. Instead, he treated me with respect. That somehow empowered me. And I also felt validated that I could actually be a full adult without supervision from my grandparents. That was definitely something I didn’t expect in my arranged marriage.

A soft smile spread across his lips. “You’re not staying inside today. We’re going to the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia.”

My lips parted in awe as excitement swirled in my stomach. “Uffizi Gallery?”

He clasped my waist. “Yes.”

I hugged him, and he laughed. “Wow. Okay…uhm, I left something upstairs.”

I left to collect my laptop and sent a quick message to Cindy, confirming I’d be there for the call with Jacob.

After a short search, I found a leather case to carry it in and headed back downstairs. Rocco gave the bag to his driver, Rick, and we walked out with him to the Bentley out front. Once we were settled inside, we moved off the estate, heading to the center of town. Like before, there were lots of tourists crowding the famous museum. A thrill went through me. I was getting the chance to stand before the art masterpieces I’d seen only in books.

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