Page 83 of Baby For The Bad Boy Billionaire

I attempt to smooth down my hair and emerge from the restroom, pressing a hand to my calmer stomach, and make my way back to the conference room.

The door opens, and all eyes turn to me. I offer a weak smile. "Sorry about that."

"No need to apologize, Bailey," Mr. Atwood interrupts me, concern etched on his face. "You look terrible. You should go home and rest. We can pick it up from here."

Pick it up? It's my presentation. My responsibility.

I want to fight it. For a moment, I think I can. I open my mouth to insist, to argue, to plead for another chance. But the words die in my throat as another wave of nausea hits me.

The room tilts again. It's clear: I have no choice but to admit defeat.

My pride protests, but my body is in agreement with Mr. Atwood.

"Okay," I manage to croak out, my hand flying to my mouth. "I'll... go home." The room gives me a sympathetic round of nods as I gather my things.

With that, I exit the room, leaving behind whatever dignity I had left.

* * *

I trudge into my apartment.It's Rachels's day off. She's shocked to see me walk in.

"Bayles, you look like shit."

"Thanks, Rach." I toss my bag onto the couch and sink into the cushions. "You know, if you ever decide to quit your day job, you definitely have a future in motivational speaking."

"That bad, huh?"

"You don't even know," I admit, a defeated sigh escaping my lips.

Before I can stop it, the whole embarrassing story spills out.

"That's... that's rough, Bayles. But hey, at least you didn't actually hurl in front of everyone."

I can't help but laugh, despite myself. "Way to look on the bright side, Rach."

Rachel goes quiet for a moment, then her eyes widen. "Bailey, do you think maybe you could be... pregnant?"

"There's no way I could be pregnant." I wave my hand dismissively. But even as the words leave my mouth, a tiny seed of doubt plants itself in the back of my mind.

"Bailey," she says again. "The nausea, the fatigue... you have to admit, it might make sense."

"No, it doesn't... I've been stressed lately. It's nothing."

I open my mouth to continue my argument, but then close it again.

"Umm... do you still have that extra pregnancy test from your scare with Kevin?"

Rachel nods, getting up from the couch and disappearing into her room. She comes back a few moments later, the small box held out in her hand.

"Here," she says, pressing it into my hand.

I take it, my fingers feeling numb.

As I turn the box over in my hands, the reality of what I'm about to do begins to sink in. My heart pounds and I start to feel a wave of nausea that has nothing to do with whatever has been tormenting my stomach.

There's no way,I tell myself as I step into the bathroom, closing the door behind me.

I open the package, pulling out the pregnancy test. I read and re-read the instructions, stalling for time.

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