Page 77 of Baby For My Ex's Brother

But for now, I hold her close, letting the steady rhythm of her heartbeat lull me into a sense of serenity I've never known before. This is bliss, pure and simple, and I'm not letting go.

Not now, not ever.

Chapter thirty-one

Shiloh

I’m wrapped in acocoon of warmth, blissful from Liam’s touch.

Oof.

No.

I’m… I’m sick.

My stomach lurches, and I'm out of bed before I can process the wave of nausea that hits me. The cool floor tiles of the bathroom are a harsh welcome as I kneel by the toilet. The retching is violent, a sharp contrast to the soft sounds of Liam's breathing still audible from the bedroom.

I flush away the evidence of my unease, resting my forehead against the cool porcelain. It's real, this isn't just some bug or a bad meal; it's been too many mornings like this. The silence of predawn Martha's Vineyard presses in around me as I sit back on my heels, the weight of what I need to do settling heavily in my chest.

"Okay, Shiloh. You really can't ignore this any longer," I murmur.

The thought hovers, a statement of fact rather than an accusation. It's time to face the possibility head-on: I might be pregnant. My heart picks up pace, thudding uncomfortably against my ribcage as I stand up, steadying myself against the sink.

Liam's quiet snores filter through the door, innocent and unaware. I don't want to wake him, not yet, not until I know for sure. I glance at the mirror, meeting my own eyes—this is something I have to do alone.

I slip into the bedroom, a ghost in my own life, careful not to disturb Liam. The soft rise and fall of his chest under the blankets reassure me, but it also tightens the knot of fear in my stomach. I don't want to imagine his reaction if my suspicions are confirmed.

Could he be angry? Disappointed?

Does he even want kids?

Do I, at this critical point in my life?

I can't know—not yet. So I dress quietly, choosing comfort over style—a pair of jeans and a loose sweater to combat the chill of early morning. My hands shake slightly as I pocket the car keys, but I steady them with a slow breath.

It's just a test. Just a simple answer to a question that shouldn't be this frightening.

The door closes behind me with a soft click, and I'm alone with the sound of my footsteps on the gravel driveway. The drive to the drugstore is short, and the streets are empty except for the occasional flutter of wildlife.

"Calm down," I scold myself, glued to my seat in the drugstore parking lot. "You need to calm down."

I finally rally the courage to enter. It's quiet inside, save for the hum of the refrigerators and the soft sounds of the older lady clerk restocking a shelf. She barely glances up as I make abeeline for the pregnancy tests, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"Good morning," she says as I approach the counter, her voice a little too loud in the silence.

"Morning," I reply, keeping my tone even and casual. I place the box on the counter, avoiding eye contact.

She rings my item up, but not before her gaze falls to my left hand—bare. Her eyes narrow slightly, and I swear I see her mouth twist into a scowl that she tries to hide with a polite smile. There's judgment there, unspoken but clear as day.

"Will that be all?" she asks, her tone edged with something I don't care to define.

"Yes, thank you," I say, swiping my card through the reader. We both know there's more between us than this transaction, but neither of us acknowledges it.

"Have a good day," she says as I grab the bag, her eyes still speaking volumes.

"Thanks." I manage a smile that doesn't reach my eyes and walk out, feeling her gaze on my back.

Outside, the early morning chill bites at my skin, but it’s the weight in my chest that makes me want to sob as I get back into the car. I can't tell my mom about this—about Liam. We're not exactly poster children for a close mother-daughter relationship. And then there's Nadia. She doesn't even know I got into Trinity.

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