Page 66 of Doctor Billionaire's Surprise Baby

"Whoa, whoa. I don't want that kind of pressure. But yeah, you know, it takes a village to raise a child."

"And I want you to be in my village," I said earnestly.

"Oh, I'm in your village, you bastard. I've bought the biggest fucking house in your fucking village." We laughed. Fuck, what would I do without Seth? "OK, let me get your white horse so you can ride in and save the day. But let it be known, if you fuck this up again, us villagers are going to hang you in the village square." I nodded. "…by your toenails." Seth slapped me on the back, laughing. It felt so good to have Seth's support again.

"I am not going to fuck this up, Seth." I looked at him, and I hoped he could read the sincerity in my eyes.

He rested his body on the kitchen island and looked up at me. "You know what, Hugo? Don't put that pressure on yourself. You might fuck this up. But if you admit it, ask for help, and ask for guidance, people are going to keep helping you get up and be the man that you want to be. That you deserve to be. That man deserves a family who loves him and I know that Simone wouldwant to be that family to you. And, for the record, I want that, too."

"Thank you," I whispered, my heart heavy with gratitude.

"Simone's at our mom’s," he said quietly, his words carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken emotions. "She went there this morning, but said she needed some space to think."

"Thank you, Seth."

"You're welcome," Seth said, his voice suddenly a little gruff. "Now get the fuck out of here and go find her. And remember, Hugo, if you keep your intentions on the right path, the village is going to support you."

I saluted him as I turned to leave. As I walked away from Seth's house, I was leaving with a lighter heart and with the feeling that I could make this right.

But I still felt a certain dread. After everything I had said to her, I could only hope that Simone would be willing to hear me out and give me a chance to prove my love for her.

Chapter 27

Simone

“Mom!” I called as I walked through the door. She had all the windows open and the early summer rainstorm hung heavy in the air. The smell was strangely comforting to me as I remembered thunderstorms spent snuggled in bed with a book and a flashlight.

I closed my eyes against the wave of nostalgia. And then a different wave hit me – nausea – and I sprinted for the powder room.

“Simone, are you okay?” My mom came rushing from the kitchen and was knocking on the door.

It turned out to be a false alarm, so I washed my hands and immediately threw myself in my mother’s arms as I left the bathroom.

“Simone, what’s wrong?” My mom’s voice was laced with concern as she stroked my back and my hair, letting me sob on her shoulder.

“Everything is wrong, Mom.” I took a deep breath against the overwhelming emotion pulsing through my body.

“Talk to me, Simone. Let’s sit down. I’ll go get you a glass of water.”

I nodded gratefully as I flopped down on the couch. I grabbed the water from my mom like it was a lifeline and pressed the cold glass against my heated cheeks. Mom took my hand and squeezed it gently.

"Sweetheart, you can tell me anything."

"Mom," I whispered, the tears finally streaming down my cheeks. "Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning and I don't know how to swim."

"Simone," she sighed, pulling me into another hug. Her warmth enveloped me, providing a haven from the storm raging inside me.

"Mom, there's just so much going on right now," I admitted, my voice shaky from the tears threatening to spill over again. I exhaled. Here goes. "Mom, I'm pregnant."

“Pregnant!” my mom gasped. The hand that was rubbing my shoulder stalled.

I continued. "And if you didn't think it could get any worse, Hugo and I had this huge fight because he doesn't want kids. Mom, I swear, it was a complete accident. The last thing I want to be at the moment is pregnant. Work is demanding as hell with my degree program. I just have no idea how I’ll juggle it all with a kid, too. I've made a complete mess of my life. Look at me. Possibly single. Pregnant. Penniless." I grunted my disgust at myself while burrowing my head in my hands.

My mom was silent for a moment, taking it all in.

“Well, that’s definitely a lot to deal with all at once. It's no wonder you're feeling overwhelmed. When did you find out? How far along are you?”

“I found out a couple of days ago and, I’m not sure. I haven’t even had a chance to make a doctor’s appointment.

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