Page 67 of Billionaire’s Promise

Having Lucy here has been a great help. A fast food party and pretend fashion show was definitely not something I would think of to do to cheer Jenny up.

I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t come on to New York. If I followed through on the dates that my mother planned for me and Lucy, would I have fallen for her?

About an hour later, just as I stepped out of the shower, June called. The call made me ridiculously happy, and my dick clearly remembered our night and it was eager to say hello to her too. Disappointment quickly overrode my happiness when I found out that the phone call had nothing to do with me. She wanted to have Jenny come into the clinic for a blood test and another consultation. Still, it made me giddy thinking that she had chosen to make the call herself rather than having her grumpy assistant do it.

Fuck.

I had fallen so fast for her.

As much as I liked her, I hated that I had no control over how she made me feel.

At eleven o’clock, Jenny, Lucy and I were back again at June’s office. Lucy and Jenny sat in front of the doctor’s desk. I stood next to Jenny as there wasn’t another chair for me.

Some nurses gave us an odd look as we entered, and I couldn’t blame them. We were an odd combination of people as we came through the clinic. Mother to be, with her straight male cousin, and her best friend, that hardly seems right.

“It’s good to see you again.” June stood up and shook Jenny’s hand, then Lucy’s. A little too formal if you ask me, like she’d purposely put up a wall between us. The doctor and the patient. I gave her a nod but didn’t shake her hand. My body ached to be close to her, a hug would be sufficient. But now just wasn’t the right time.

“I just saw you yesterday. Is everything okay?” Jenny’s voice was small, but her concerns were not.

“Do you want to do this in private?” June’s eyes paused at Lucy and then me. The hint was loud and clear. As much as I wanted to know everything that was happening to my cousin’s health, I respected that she might want some privacy. I turned around, ready to leave the room.

“Please stay. I can’t do this alone.” Jenny pleaded, “and you too, Lucy.”

She grabbed Lucy’s hand.

“Okay. I believe Dr. Rose has told you about her diagnosis. We had a discussion about the prescription you’d been taking. And those that Dr. Rose recommended that you take.” June paused for a second, acknowledging my stern stare, begging for her to tell us more.

“Yes.” Jenny’s voice is soft and weak.

“I’m concerned that the medications may cause complications for your pregnancy, for you and your baby’s health. It could cau–”

“I want to keep the baby.” Jenny blurted out, interrupting June and the information she was telling us. “I don’t care. I want to keep the baby.”

Jenny shook her head no, contradicting her words.

And I wanted to know what was going on. What was the diagnosis?

“Are you aware of the increased risk of miscarriage, birth defects, and stillbirth with your medications?” June pressed firmly. “And–”

“Yes. Yes. Yes.” Jenny was at the border of shouting. “I know. I read about it all.”

Suddenly, I realized that Jenny would be risking her health for something that had barely formed. The baby was a cancer, an unwanted cancer that should be taken care of.

“Qing Qing.” I called Jenny’s childhood nickname. “You want to think about this?”

Erik Chen and his stupid children had caused Jenny enough heartache. I had no idea why she would go through another pregnancy.

“I’m sure.” Jenny said, avoiding eye contact with me. “I want to keep this baby. If God doesn’t bless me with a healthy baby, then so be it. But if I can carry this baby to full term, then I’m going to raise the baby alone.” She paused for two seconds, “Kai, I know you hated Erik from the beginning. And you hated my kids.”

“I don’t hate your kids.”

“Then what are their names?”

Trouble and Smelly.

“I–” There were no words. I couldn’t remember her boys’ names. I only wished that Lucy wouldn’t jump in and volunteer. It would only make me look worse, though.

“I don’t blame you. But I can’t say that I am not disappointed.” Lucy handed Jenny a tissue from her brown leather bag.