Page 62 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
I wasn't ready to be a mother.Not now.Not when my love life was falling apart, when my future with Tristan seemed more uncertain than ever.How could I take care of a child under such conditions?The very idea seemed absurd.
"I understand this might come as a shock, Eva," the doctor continued in a soothing voice."We'll do some additional tests to verify that everything is progressing well and to more precisely date the pregnancy.But from what I can see at the moment, there's nothing abnormal or concerning."
He gently removed the probe and cleaned the gel from my abdomen before giving me instructions on the next tests and appointments.His words floated around me as if in a fog, distant, unreal.He then went out to greet Steve while a nurse approached for the samples.
When I returned to the waiting room, Steve jumped up, his face marked with concern.
"So?"he asked, the tension audible in his voice.
I remained paralyzed for a moment, the words stuck in my throat, before whispering:
"I'm...I'm pregnant."
Steve's expression instantly transformed, mixing surprise and compassion.Without a word, he pulled me to him and held me in his arms.This simple gesture of comfort broke down my defenses.A wave of silent tears overwhelmed me.
"It's going to be okay, Eva," he whispered with infinite gentleness."You're not alone, okay?We'll face this together."
I clung to him like a lifeline, grateful for his presence.But even in the warmth of his embrace, visceral anxiety twisted my gut.How was I going to handle all this?How could I announce this news to Tristan when our relationship was in tatters?
It was barely five o'clock when the taxi dropped us off at Steve's place.I let him answer a work call and took refuge in the guest room, my improvised sanctuary.I needed space to digest the news that had just turned my life upside down.I was going to become a mother.Just thinking about it made my heart race, as if this still fragile truth was seeking to anchor itself in every fiber of my being.A dizzying feeling mixed with fear and deep joy overwhelmed me.I was going to be a mom!
But immediately, another thought imposed itself: Tristan.I had to tell him.Despite everything that had happened between us, despite Audrey and this distance I was desperately trying to maintain, he remained this baby's father.I couldn't hide such news from him.And, even if I didn't dare admit it out loud, I needed to talk to him, to hear his voice.Despite my anger and disappointment, he was still the man I loved.I needed him.
Without further thought, I grabbed my phone and dialed his number.After two rings, his voicemail triggered:
"You've reached Tristan de La Tour's voicemail.I'm not available at the moment, but please leave a message and I'll call you back."
"Tristan, it's Eva...I need to talk to you, it's important.Please call me back."
I hung up, my heart tight.It wasn't serious, he must be in a meeting.He would call me back, I was certain.
But the minutes ticked by with unbearable slowness, and the wait became oppressive.Why wasn't he calling back?My mind began to race, weaving increasingly dark scenarios.Had he already forgotten me?Had I ceased to be a priority?And this baby...how would he take the news?Would he be happy?Or angry?What if he thought I was trying to trap him to keep him close to me?The last thing I wanted was to force him into a role he didn't want.The memory of his confessions resurfaced, more vivid and painful than ever.Maybe he was with her right now...
Lying on the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, I watched time pass.With each second of silence, my doubts became more oppressive.Questions looped in my head like an infernal carousel: what if he didn't want this child?Could I face this ordeal without him?That's when a truth imposed itself: I would keep this child, with or without him.Whatever happened between Tristan and me, this baby was already a part of me.I already loved it, with a visceral, deep love that I never would have imagined possible.
Night fell without any news from him.I joined Steve for a quick dinner, but my mind wandered elsewhere, lost in the void of his silence.My friend tried to talk to me, to distract me, but I only wanted one thing: to return to the solitude of my room.Using fatigue as an excuse, I withdrew right after the meal.
I waited for Tristan to call me back, but he didn't.Instead, my phone vibrated, displaying an unexpected name: Lazarus Rousseau.What could he possibly want from me?A weary sigh escaped me as I answered.
"Good evening, Ms.Mercier, this is Lazarus Rousseau from Aron Capital investment fund.I heard you were in London and I'd like to meet with you to discuss an important matter.Would you be available tomorrow at noon?"
38.Leaving Community Pilot
EVA
The sun was rising, and Tristan still hadn’t called me back.A wave of despair surged through me, as relentless as the tide.How had we ended up here?Despite what I’d told Steve, a part of me had still held on to hope—for us.But that was before.Before he cut off all communication.
I placed a hand on my stomach, where a tiny life was growing—a life I had so desperately wanted to share with him in joy.I had hoped this news would be a beacon of light in the storm, something to hold onto.But instead, everything was slipping through my fingers—my relationship, my job, my certainties.
My gaze drifted to the window, lost in the gray light of the London dawn.A whirlwind of unanswered questions filled my mind.
What will become of me if our relationship falls apart?
Could I keep working at Community Pilot if Tristan and I were no longer together?How would I face each day, knowing he didn’t love me anymore?How would I survive the pain of watching him build a life with Audrey?
No...That was unthinkable.He told me he loved me.He chose me.
But what if he changed his mind?What if all it took was a little distance for him to realize he could live without me—but not without her?After all, he had never made me any promises.There had never been any vows between us.
