Chapter 937

Lucian froze, his piercing gaze dropping to her abdomen.

The silence stretched between them like a taut wire.

"What's the matter?" His voice was low, cautious.

Rosalind met his eyes steadily. "What does it look like to you?"

His palm pressed gently against her stomach, tracing slow circles. She could feel the warmth of his touch through the thin fabric of her dress.

"Don't say it's..." His words trailed off, uncertainty flickering across his usually composed features.

A faint smile played at Rosalind's lips. He was beginning to understand.

Her pulse quickened. How would he take the news?

She drew a breath. "I—"

"Wait." Lucian interrupted sharply. "Is this because of last night? Did I hurt you? Is that why we're at the hospital?"

Rosalind's hopeful expression shattered.

She blinked rapidly. Was he serious?

This man could decipher complex business mergers in seconds but couldn't recognize a pregnancy?

Lucian's stern features softened as he continued massaging her abdomen. "If I was too rough, you should have told me immediately. Keeping quiet only leads to misunderstandings."

Rosalind squeezed her eyes shut for a brief moment. Apparently, subtlety was wasted on him.

She placed her hand over his, stilling his movements. "There's something important—"

His phone rang, the shrill tone slicing through the moment.

Lucian glanced at the screen and frowned. "I have to take this."

Nathaniel's voice came through clearly. "Mr. Graves? Mr. Whitmore from Quantum Innovations has been waiting for thirty minutes."

Lucian's jaw tightened. The board meeting had completely slipped his mind. Since bringing Rosalind to the hospital, his thoughts had been consumed by her wellbeing.

"I'll be there shortly," he replied curtly.

Ending the call, he turned back to Rosalind. "I need to go to the office."

She nodded stiffly. The moment had passed. She'd tell him another time.

"You should go. I need to return home anyway. My parents must be worried—I haven't been back in days."

"I'll drive you," Lucian insisted.

Rosalind shook her head. "Your meeting is more important. I can manage."

His expression hardened. "No arguments. Your place is ten minutes away. The office can wait."

Seeing his determination, she relented. "Fine."

Ten minutes later, the sleek black car pulled up outside her townhouse.

Rosalind stepped out onto the pavement. "Go ahead. I'll be fine."

Lucian studied her through the open window. "Rest. I'll call you later."

She nodded. "Alright."

The car disappeared around the corner.

Back at the hospital, Julian remained in the waiting area when Genevieve arrived in a flurry of expensive perfume and designer heels.

She rushed to his side. "What's going on? Your call sounded urgent. And—" Her eyes widened at his bruised face. "What happened to you?"

Julian touched his swollen cheekbone grimly. "Lucian."

"Lucian did this?" Genevieve's voice rose sharply. "Was this about Rosalind?"

Julian's gaze turned icy. "Rosalind's pregnant. And you didn't know?"

Pregnant.

The word detonated in Genevieve's mind like a grenade.

Her manicured hands flew to her mouth. "What? Rosalind is... pregnant? With Lucian's child?"

Julian gave a terse nod. "I saw the ultrasound myself. Two months along."

Genevieve staggered back as if physically struck.

She had accounted for every variable—except this.

Rosalind was carrying Lucian's heir.