“Jason.” My name slips from her mouth like a soothing lullaby.
I run my hands gently up and down Mila’s arms. “Hey, everything okay? I noticed you’ve been in and out of the restroom quite a bit tonight. What’s going on?”
She picks at her thumbnail, nerves betraying themselves in the restless shift of her feet.After a deep breath, she tips her head towards outside. “I’m just feeling a little flushed. I think I need some air.”
“Okay, then.” I nod, slipping my hand into hers. “Let’s get you some air.”
We stroll out of the chateau, bypassing the outdoor dance floor and live band, and make our way over to the garden, where a few carved benches sit beneath towering trees draped in fairy lights.
As we approach one of the bench seats, where I was ready to pull Mila onto my lap, she suddenly stops.When I turn to her, I instantly notice a hint of nervousness in her expression.
“Mila?” My brows knit as I search her face. “What’s wrong?”
“Um, Jason… there’s something I need to tell you.” She lets go of my hand, her gaze dropping to her feet, as if she’s too afraid to meet mine. Her fingers fidget restlessly, and I worry she’s going to tear at her own skin with how she’s hacking into her fingernails.
I step closer until our bodies are nearly touching, gently tilting her chin so she looks at me. “Hey,” I murmur softly. “You know you can tell me anything, right? Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s okay.”
She exhales sharply, her warm breath brushing against my face. Her lips part, then close again, as though the words are lodged at the tip her throat, refusing to come out.
“Are you not feeling well?” I ask gently.
Mila shakes her head slowly before stepping back and sinking onto the bench. “I’ve been feeling a little sick these past couple of weeks. And I guess this heatwave is only making it worse.”
I watch closely as her hands rub against her thighs, restless. She looks distracted, burdened, as if something has been pressing on her all day. I hadn’t even realised she was feeling unwell until tonight. She doesn’t look too sick—just a little tired, and her eyes are a smidge red.
I crouch in front of her, covering her nervous hands with my steady ones. “Do you want me to take you home? We can stop by the pharmacy on the way and get you something for it.”
She shakes her head, quickly dismissing the idea. “No, it’s not that.”
“Then what is it, baby?”
“Jason... umm...”
“I promise everything will be al—”
“I’m pregnant!”
The moment those two words leave her mouth, it feels as if the world has come to a standstill. My eyes widen, and my hand tightens slightly around hers. I’m completely taken aback and unsure of what to say next. This is the last thing I ever expected her to say.
“I’m so sorry, Jason. I swear I never planned for this to happen.”
“I don’t understand. I thought you were on the pill?”
“Remember when I was sick with the stomach bug a couple of months ago? I think the pill must’ve flushed out of my system. That’s the only reason I can think of for why it didn’t work. I’m really sorry.”
I release a sharp breath, my gaze dropping to our joined hands. When I don’t say anything, she must mistake my silence for disappointment, because when I glance back at her, her eyes well with tears. She tries to slip her hands free from mine, but I keep a firm hold on them.
“Mila, why are you sorry?”
“Because of the timing. Because I’ve known all this time, and didn’t tell you right away. But I swear to you, Jason. I was going to tell you after the wedding.”
“I know now, so that’s the main thing.” I brush a loose strand of hair behind her ear, my eyes locked on hers. “But next time… I want you to come to me the moment you find out about something. Big or small. I never want you to feel like you need to hide anything from me or carry it alone, not even for a day. We’re in this together, Mila. You and me, okay?”
My gaze lands on her flat stomach, where our tiny, precious baby rests. “Have you gone to see a doctor?”
She shakes her head. “I only took a pregnancy test. Well, six of them. And they all, came back positive.”
A wide smile spreads across my face. “Well, I’m glad you haven’t seen a doctor yet. I want to be there for every appointment.”
