BOUGHT BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE

THE DOCTOR'S VISIT

Chapter 6: The Doctor's Visit

"Open your mouth, dear."

Amara sat stiffly on the edge of the huge master bed while an old family doctor, Dr. Miller, checked her.

Mrs. Blackwood hovered over them like a queen bee, holding Amara's hand too tightly.

"How is my grandchild?" Mrs. Blackwood asked impatiently.

Dr. Miller frowned slightly, looking at his notes. "Well... the urine test is..."

Amara's heart stopped. This was it. The lie would be exposed. Vanessa must have paid the doctor. She would be thrown out onto the street and her mother would die.

Ethan stood by the window, his face unreadable. But his hands were clenched into fists in his pockets.

Dr. Miller looked up. "Mrs. Blackwood, early tests can be confusing. I would like to do a blood test to be sure. For now, she should rest, take vitamins, and avoid stress."

Mrs. Blackwood sighed happily. "You see? I told you she is pregnant! Oh, my sweet Amara!"

As soon as Mrs. Blackwood and the doctor left the room to discuss vitamins in the kitchen, Amara collapsed.

"He knew," she whispered, tears in her eyes. "He knew we were lying."

Ethan walked over and locked the bedroom door. He knelt in front of her, taking her cold hands in his warm ones.

"No," he said quietly. "Dr. Miller is our family doctor for twenty years. He is loyal to me, not to Vanessa. I told him about the plan last night."

Amara looked up, shocked. "You... you told him to lie?"

"I told him to protect my wife," Ethan said, his grey eyes intense. "He will say you are pregnant for as long as we need."

"Why are you doing all this?" Amara cried. "Why are you protecting me? This is just a contract!"

Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he stood up and pulled her up with him.

"Come here."

He led her to the bathroom attached to the master bedroom. Inside was a huge bathtub filled with warm water and bubbles.

"My mother will be here all day," he said gruffly. "You look like you haven't slept in days. Take a bath. Relax."

"You... you prepared a bath for me?"

"Don't overthink it," he snapped, but his ears were slightly red. "I just don't want my fake wife fainting from exhaustion and making me look bad."

He started to leave, but Amara grabbed his sleeve.

"Ethan?"

He turned.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For today. For not letting your mother hurt me."

He stared at her hand on his sleeve. Then at her face, her wet eyes, her trembling lips.

Slowly, he reached out and wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb.

"Stop crying, Amara," he whispered, his voice suddenly husky. "Every time you cry, I want to..."

He stopped himself.

"Want to what?" she whispered.

He leaned closer. His forehead touched hers. She could feel his warm breath on her face.

"I want to ruin anyone who made you cry. Even my own mother."

For a second, Amara thought he was going to kiss her. Her eyes closed automatically. Her lips parted.

But he didn't.

He stepped back abruptly, as if burned.

"Take your bath," he said, his voice rough. "I will be outside."

He left the bathroom quickly and closed the door.

Amara stood there, her heart racing, touching her lips. Why was she disappointed that he didn't kiss her?

Outside, Ethan leaned against the wall, breathing hard. He looked down at his hands. They were shaking.

What was happening to him? He had had many women. Beautiful models, heiresses. He had never felt out of control.

But this poor, innocent, brave girl who had sold herself to save her mother... she was making the ruthless billionaire feel something he had never felt before.

Possession was turning into obsession.

And obsession was turning into something far more dangerous.

In the living room, Mrs. Blackwood was still on the phone, but her smile faded as she listened.

"What? Vanessa says she has proof Amara is not pregnant? She has a video from the hospital?"