CHAPTER FOUR
816 Words
Hospitals weren’t supposed to feel this… intimidating. But as Ava sat in the waiting room, the steady ticking of the clock on the wall was louder than the chatter around her. The soft cries of newborns from the maternity ward were muffled behind thick doors, but her thoughts weren’t so easily silenced.
Her hand absentmindedly rubbed over the gentle swell of her belly beneath her thick, gray sweater. At six months pregnant, hiding it was getting harder—but necessary. Especially in a city where secrets didn’t stay buried for long, especially not secrets with Carter DNA.
She glanced around. No one seemed to recognize her, and that was a relief. The last thing she needed was someone snapping a picture of her and the Carter name resurfacing in the press again. That chapter was supposed to be over. But her child? That was a different story.
“Ava Collins?” a nurse called.
She stood quickly, almost too quickly, her heartbeat racing. She followed the nurse into the narrow corridor, blinking under the white lights. The walls were covered with pastel-colored decals of teddy bears and lullabies—a soft contrast to the tightness in her chest.
Once inside the exam room, the nurse began routine checks.
“Everything seems fine,” the nurse said with a warm smile. “Doctor Jensen will be in shortly. Just make yourself comfortable.”
Ava offered a polite nod and sat on the edge of the examination bed. She pulled out her phone, scrolling through unread messages.
Lila:How’s the check-up going? Want me to bring pizza later?
Mom:Still thinking about you. Call me when you feel up to it.
Ava stared at the messages, unable to respond. There was something about today that made her more anxious than usual.
And then, it happened.
A voice. His voice.
“…I said move the meeting to three. I’ll sign the documents afterward. No excuses.”
It hit her like a thunderclap. Deep, commanding, unmistakably *Liam Carter.*
Her throat tightened.
No. It couldn’t be. It was impossible.
She stood up slowly and tiptoed to the door, peeking through the narrow gap.
There he was.
Liam, walking down the hallway like he owned the building. In a navy-blue suit that hugged his tall frame perfectly, coat in one hand, phone in the other, looking as maddeningly perfect as she remembered.
Her breath caught in her throat. Her stomach twisted—not from the baby, but from fear, shock… hope?
She ducked back into the room.
Why is he here?
Of all the hospitals in the city, why this one? Was it a coincidence? Business? Was the universe trying to punish her?
Then, just as she was mentally preparing to sneak out…
The door opened.
She spun around.
Time froze.
His brows furrowed. “Ava?”
Oh God.
His voice was softer now. Confused.
She tried to laugh it off. “You must be mistaking me for someone else.”
He took a hesitant step forward. “No… it’s you. Ava Collins.”
She looked away, masking the panic rising in her chest. “You’ve got the wrong woman.”
She darted past him before he could stop her, heart racing as she disappeared into the hallway.
He didn’t call her name again—but she could *feel* his eyes on her back, heavy, stunned.
And in her womb, her baby kicked.
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Liam’s POV
“Ava?”
She turned slowly, a flicker of fear crossing her face. Liam’s breath caught. It was her. No doubt. Her hair was a little longer, her features a little softer—but it was her.
Except… she didn’t smile.
Instead, she blinked and shook her head slowly. “I think you have the wrong person.”
Liam’s brow furrowed. “Wait—what?”
“I’m sorry,” she added quickly, already shifting her body to turn away. Her voice was steady, but her eyes… her eyes were pleading with him not to follow.
He glanced at her rounded stomach—his mind racing.
No. There was no way.
“Ava—don't do this,” he said, stepping closer. “It’s me. Liam. You know who I am.”
“I don’t,” she said a little too fast. “Please, I really have to go.”
He stood frozen as she walked away, vanishing behind the door to the doctor’s office.
Liam ran a hand through his hair, heart pounding. That wasn’t just a coincidence.
It was her.
She saw him. She recognized him. And she lied.
But why?
And why was she pregnant?
He backed away slowly, his mind in overdrive. What if the baby was his? No—he didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but the timeline made sense.
And her reaction?
It wasn’t just shock. It was fear.
Something was going on, and he wasn’t going to let it slide.
- Writer
