Page 6 of Doctor Billionaire's Surprise Baby

Taking a deep breath, I focused on my concerns.

"What if immigration authorities catch us? If they discover our marriage is a sham, I could lose everything I've worked for. And what would that do to my reputation as a neurosurgeon? Not to mention, I’m pretty sure Simone could end up in jail."

“Yeah, man. You’d basically be fucked. So you’d better be careful. Cover everything,” Seth said, looking at the bar. He took a deep breath. “But realistically, you and Simone already have a relationship and have known each other forever. People won't really have a reason to question the authenticity of your marriage, especially if you play your part convincingly."

As I mulled over Seth’s words, my thoughts drifted to Simone's warm smile and the way her eyes lit up when we were deep in conversation about… well, nothing. And if she wanted to be a nurse, she deserved the chance to pursue her dreams, just as much as I deserved to continue mine.

"Alright," I agreed, setting my wineglass down with a determined clink. "I'll do it. Of course, Simone has to agree too. But I'll need all of your bastards to have my back. We can't afford any slip-ups."

"Trust us, Hugo," Logan said, a relieved grin spreading across his face. "We've got your back. If this is what you want to do, you know we're there for you. Those who puke together in college, stick together in life." The group roared with laughter as everyone raised their glass.

Through it all, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation mixed with anxiety. The path ahead was paved withrisks and uncertainties, but there was also the possibility of a brighter future for both Simone and me.

The candlelight flickered across our table, casting shadows on the white linens and polished silverware. Logan's sudden laughter pulled me back to the present.

"Hey, Hugo, who knows? Maybe you'll actually fall in love with Simone for real," Logan joked, elbowing me in the side, a playful smirk on his face.

Seth shot him a disapproving look, clearly not amused by Logan's remark.

"This is serious, Logan. We're talking about their futures here. It's not something to joke about. Besides, that's my little sister. If she didn't stand to benefit from this, Hugo would be laid out on the floor with a black eye and a bloody nose."

"Sorry," Logan muttered, taking a sip of his wine as he shrunk into the booth. The atmosphere lost a little joviality as the reality of playing with Simone's heart became clear.

I stared down at my plate, my fork pushing aimlessly at the remains of my risotto. My throat starting to clog with dealing with the uncertainty of it all.

"Look, guys," I began, my voice wavering slightly. "This isn't an easy decision for any of us, especially for Simone. We have to be sure we're making the right choice."

Austin nodded solemnly, while Seth leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You're right, Hugo. You need to think this through carefully."

In the silence that followed, I found myself recalling moments spent with Simone. Memories of our late-night conversations, shared laughter, and the comfort of her presence washed over me like waves crashing on the shore.

But then, a jolt of fear coursed through me, as I remembered the risks involved. What if immigration authorities caught on to our scheme? I need to make sure I was willing to take that risk,not to mention what Simone would want to do. There was so much at stake. Maybe too much.

Sensing my overwhelm, Dom shifted the conversation to memories of our antics in Las Vegas a few months ago. We had gone for a medical conference but we managed to extend the trip for a few days we could barely remember. We had dragged Seth along with us.

I laughed in the right spots of the story, but the weight of the decision in front of me still hung heavily in the air. Surrounded by my friends, I knew they'd support me no matter what I chose. But ultimately, the choice was mine and Simone’s to make.

Chapter 3

Simone

Iheard the door shut quietly and a few seconds later, Seth walked into the living room of our shared apartment. Shared meaning I lived here now, but Seth owned the Brookline condo and I barely paid him any rent on account of trying to save for school and, yeah, basically having no money.

Seth looked tired but happy, no doubt buzzing from a lively dinner with Hugo, Dominic, Austin, and Logan. I loved how he had a band of brothers after he joined Hugo and his medical buddies through their time at university. I'm sure they had been a lifeline to him through good times and bad.

I clicked pause on the romantic comedy I was watching as he dropped down on the couch next to me.

“Looks like you had a fun night,” I drawled.

“Yeah, sure,” he said, scrubbing a tired hand over his face. He was in the middle of a big case and was putting in a lot of longdays. I could feel the tension and stress radiating from him. “You know how it is with those guys. Never a dull moment.”

“Ha, tell me about it. If there’s ever even a free second at the office, the four of them are causing chaos.” I laughed softly, shaking my head, thinking about how their antics could easily turn into unforgettable memories. Seth laughed, too, and it filled the cozy living room, the soft glow of the lamps casting a warm light over us. This was what I cherished most: the comfort and closeness that we shared as siblings.

"Dom brought up that crazy weekend in Vegas again," Seth continued, shaking his head. "I swear, that story will never die. And the stupid thing is, they don't remember half of what they did."

"Which weekend was that exactly?" I teased, feigning ignorance despite knowing the tale all too well.

"Nice try," he laughed, playfully nudging me with his shoulder. He shifted on the couch, his expression turning serious. "Anyway, there's something I wanted to talk to you about."

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