Page 123 of Billionaire Unbroken - Asher
“You’re pregnant,” Reese told me a week later as I sat in her office in Billings. “I know that seems impossible to you, but it’s true, Sierra. I’ve verified it in every way possible.”
I shook my head in denial.
How could thatpossiblybe true?
Yes, I’d come to Reese’s office two days ago because I was late, but pregnancy hadn’t even been on my mind.
I’d been a little worried because my period was way later than usual, but I’d figured it was another medical cause.
Some kind of female issue that had nothing to do with pregnancy.
Since I hadn’t had an exam in years, I knew I needed to knock that out anyway.
Hence, my visit for a checkup two days ago.
Reese had done an exam, lab work, urine, and an ultrasound because of my history.
When she’d called me late yesterday afternoon and told me to meet her in her office this morning, I’d been worried about some kind of cancer or an urgent medical issue because she’d sounded so serious.
My head was spinning, and I was still trying to process her diagnosis.
“That’s not possible, Reese,” I said in a dazed voice.
“Itispossible,” she assured me. “It probably didn’t seem probable three years ago, but it happened. I got all of your old medical records, and I studied your ultrasound for a long time. There was definitely some damage to your uterus, but your surgeons did an incredible job with the repairs. Your baby died from direct trauma, Sierra. The damage was mostly to your uterus. I’m sure your surgeons thought the scar tissue from the surgery would prevent a pregnancy in the future, but this baby is attached and growing. The scar tissue isn’t as severe as it might have been without an excellent surgeon. You had two excellent surgeons in Houston. God, Sierra, you haven’t had an exam since you recovered from the shooting?”
I put my palm to my belly reflexively. “No,” I replied hesitantly. “I lost my medical insurance when I couldn’t pay the premiums. I ended up struggling to pay for my psychological treatment. I didn’t think it would be an issue to skip routine exams. The doctors told me everything was repaired and that it was pretty much impossible for me to get pregnant again. That was all I really needed to know. I was in the hospital for a long time. All of my sutures were out. Everything was healing and I didn’t have any complications. I did a few follow-up visits after I got out of the hospital, but I didn’t return in three months or six months. I was in a pretty deep depression when I left the hospital. In hindsight, it was a dumb thing to do, but I wasn’t really equipped to get to routine appointments. After that, I just didn’t have the money.”
Reese nodded. “I understand. I’m not judging. If you had done a follow-up at some point in the last year or so, you probably would have known that there was a remote possibility that you could get pregnant. I’m going to be honest, that scarring will cause issues. This will be a really high-risk pregnancy for you, Sierra, even if you get past the stage when you’re mostlikely to have a miscarriage. With the scarring, the baby may not be able to grow to full term. You’d definitely need a C-section. There’s a plethora of things that could go wrong.”
I shook my head, still in shock. “I can’t be pregnant. Asher told me he never wanted to have a child. I told him that I couldn’t get pregnant.”
“This isn’t your fault,” Reese said sternly. “It really never should have happened. The conditions and your healing had to be exactly like it was for this to happen. Truthfully, it’s kind of a miracle.”
Tears filled my eyes.
God, it reallywastrue.
What in the hell was I going to do now?
“Asher isn’t going to want this,” I told Reese in a tremulous voice. “I’m not sure what to do.”
Reese sent me a small smile. “I think you’ll be surprised about what Asher wants when you tell him, but he’s going to have to know about all of the risks involved and the possible complications. I think he’s going to be highly concerned.” She hesitated for a moment. “Nah. Screw that. I’m not talking to you as a medical practitioner right now. You’re a close friend. Asher is going to freak out. There’s so many things that could happen in your situation. Your first priority has to be seeing a specialist. The best OB doctor in Billings. The same one Hannah used for her pregnancy. They’ll probably do more testing and give you better information than I can right now. You’re almost seven weeks pregnant. Tomorrow wouldn’t be too soon to get an appointment. I’m going to call her today and see if she can see you tomorrow. She’s super busy, but we’re friends. I think she’ll squeeze you in.”
“Thanks,” I said as relief flooded through my body. “I think I need as much information as possible.”
“You and Asher need to make decisions together,” Reese said quietly as she sat on a rolling stool and took my hand. “He loves you, Sierra. I don’t have a single doubt about that. You made this child together. You need to work it out together.”
“It’s my fault, Reese,” I said as tears flowed down my cheeks. “Neither of us used any kind of birth control. If I’d done those follow-ups, I would have been more careful. I was resigned to not having another chance at motherhood, and I completely understand why Asher never wants children. His childhood was nothing but torment and torture for him.”
“I think Cole kind of felt the same,” Reese mused. “But he’s open to having kids now that he has Lauren. Things change, Sierra. People change. And I’ve already told you that this wasn’t your fault. God, you’ve just gotten to the point where you’re not blaming yourself for the past. Don’t start taking the blame for things that aren’t your fault now.”
I took a deep breath and swiped the tears from my cheeks.
She was right.
This baby was going to need me to keep my head on straight.
I put my hand to my belly again.
