Page 31 of The Rancher's Pregnancy Surprise

I want to say it so, so bad.

But I can't.

Because I'm terrified when I do...

Ronan won't say them back.

IT'S MY CHECKUP THEnext day, this time with my fiancé and "unofficial" doctor, who has also texted me about being late.

Meeting with the founding members running over. Oliver insists on discussing security protocols for the wedding. Will try to wrap up ASAP. Wait for me.

I can only shake my head. It's just so surreal, knowing that everyone in Hartland is a billionaire.

The desk of Ronan's secretary is empty when I get to his office. Thinking that she's likely out for lunch, I decide to let myself in at his consultation room, only for my steps to come to an awkward halt when I realize someone is already inside.

Oh.

It's like finding myself staring at my doppelgänger, albeit a slightly older and more cynical version. But most surprisingly of all, she's made herself comfortable in Ronan's chair, and the more I look at her, the more I find it harder to breathe.

The other woman finally looks up, and I see the same surprise in her gaze when she realizes how identical we look.

Her gaze narrows, and her voice is sharp as she asks, "Who are you?"

A memory flutters into my mind, and I remember that one time when Ronan and I were on the bus, and it was as if I had become invisible...because he was seeing someone else.

Pain squeezes my heart, and I hear myself say, "I'm Doctor Slater's patient." It's not a lie, but it's all I suddenly feel I have therightto say...and I don't understand it. Why is my heart suddenly hurting so, so bad?

"Please take a seat," she tells me, and I find myself doing as she says because it's just easier...than to let myself think.

She studies me with a look that's equal parts curiosity and calculation. "His secretary still hasn't come back, has she?"

I shake my head, fighting the rising sense of dread.

"She's been with Ronan since eternity," she says with a curl of her lip. "She should've retired a long time ago, honestly. She can't possibly be a huge help to Ronan at her age."

I feel bad about the way she's talking about Terry, but I feel even worse when I think about how this woman's relationship with Ronan goes far beyond anything I have with him.

Thoughts I should have no business of entertaining start poisoning my mind, and I desperately shove them away. "Are you a relative of Dr. Slater's?" The words come out stilted, and it shames me to hear myself ask this. Ronan doesn't deserve this. I shouldn't be acting like—-

"We were high school sweethearts."

—-he's cheating on me.

"I...s-see."

"Are you alright?" the other woman asks. "You look rather pale all of a sudden."

I want to say 'I'm fine' but I can't.

I feel dizzy and nauseous.

I rise to my feet, but the world only starts to spin faster and faster.

No. No. No.

"I think I need to—"

The words die on my lips as darkness closes in.

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