Page 15 of Worthy: Cassius and Faith

“I’m sure all of this is a bit of a shock.” The Madam folded her hands on top of her desk. “I’m happy to help however I can, including being here to listen.”

“Thank you, Gina.” But I rose to go. “It’s a lot to process. I’m going to need some time.”

“I understand.” Gina stood, too. “Do you need anything? Is there anything I can do for you?”

Tell me what to do? Tell me everything will be okay, even though my whole world’s turning upside down?

I shook my head. “I’m fine,” I said. This time, I knew I was lying.

I hustled back to the house. Cassius hadn’t returned yet. I returned to the pool, where I could pace in private. The sun shone down, the birds chirped, and the glossy aqua water rippled in the slight breeze. But I appreciated none of it. Lost in my thoughts, I paced back and forth. What would Cassius think of the news?

What the hell did I think of it?

“Are you pacing a hole into the pool deck?” Cassius asked, breaking my reverie. He strode down from the house, looking handsome AF in another custom suit.

“Maybe,” I said.

“Did you have fun with your friends?” Cassius raised his black designer sunglasses and perched them on his head. His icy blue eyes scrutinized me.

“Yes.”

He frowned. “Did something happen?”

“Yes.”

“What?” he asked, instantly on alert. “Did they make you upset?”

“No, it was nothing like that. They were great.” I wrung my hands together.

His gaze raked over me again. “So why do you look like you’re about to walk the plank?”

I took a deep breath. “Because Gina called me into her office this afternoon, and the nurse tested me again.”

I wrapped my arms around myself. “Cassius, the test came back positive. The nurse thinks it’s accurate—I’m pregnant.”

“I see.” Cassius stared blankly at me for a moment. He seemed to be in shock.

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” I said. “And maybe it’s another false positive, maybe we shouldn’t assume?—”

“It’s not a false positive,” Cassius said. “You’ve been tested twice. I read up on these new tests. They’re extremely reliable. If the nurse is confident in the results, we should be, too.”

He paused for a beat. He looked at me. I looked at him. Time seemed to stretch out, simultaneously empty and all too full.

“Faith,” he said, “I’ve been considering this as a possibility. And I have something I want to ask you.”

I clutched my arms tighter around myself. Cassius hadn’t reached for me. He didn’t look happy. Instead, the billionaire appeared resigned.

I steeled myself, waiting for the blow to land.

“Faith, will you marry me?”

CHAPTER NINE

posed

Cassius

“Will you marry me?”

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