Page 70 of Nine Months to Love
This is the moment I spent so long waiting for. No, not just waiting—working myassoff for. Hoping for. Quite literally dreaming for.
Everything I’ve sweat, bled, and cried to make happen has finally paid off. But all I feel is hollow and sick.
Because I know it’s not really about me. It’s about Stefan. His money, his influence, his name attached to mine.
I keep listening.
“As lovely as this honor is, darling, I hope you don’t assume it means you need to put your career first. I hope you don’t think it means you don’t need a man because trust me, Stefan Safonov is no mere man. He’s a god in this city and he can do wonders for your career. So think smart and be strategic. Like I taught you.”
Think smart. Be strategic.My mother’s entire life philosophy distilled into two sentences.
Honestly, props to her on the brevity. She should sell bumper stickers.
I think about Natalia. When she sat across from me and told me her side of the story, the pain in her eyes when she talked about losing everything… Ifeltthat. It touched my soul.
My mother would never understand that kind of pain. She’s never let herself feel anything that deeply, not once in her entire successful life.
I close my eyes and listen to the rest of the messages. It’s an endless lecture of more backhanded congratulations, more advice about leveraging my relationship with Stefan, more reminders to be smart in this way and that way.
By the time I reach the last voicemail, I’m nauseous.
I text my mother:Got your messages. Thanks for the congrats.
The phone rings before I can even set it down.
“Olivia. Finally.”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you for days.”
“I lost my phone. Just got a new one.”
“Well, that explains it. Did you hear about the partnership?”
“I did. It’s great.”
“Great? It’s spectacular. Do you know how many people were competing for this? Rebecca Walsh is going to be beside herself.”
The mention of Walsh’s name makes my jaw clench. “I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“Don’t be modest, darling. This is a huge accomplishment. You should be celebrating.”
“I am. I’m just... processing.”
“Processing what? This is everything you wanted.”
Everything I wanted.Right.
“Mom, I want to tell you something. I’m… I’m pregnant.”
Silence. Then: “What?”
“I’m pregnant. With Stefan’s baby.”
More silence. I can hear my mother breathing on the other end.
Then she starts laughing.
