Chapter 13 A Crazy Proposal

• The exams were coming out, the good news regarding Kim's health did not take long to arrive. Now, they needed to conduct an ultrasound to check on the baby's well-being. Since the gynecologist hadn't arrived yet and Kim showed no signs of miscarriage, specific tests for the baby hadn't been conducted.
• When the gynecologist arrived, they brought in the ultrasound machine immediately to perform a transvaginal ultrasound. Kim attempted to get up, but Alessandro gently refused.
• "Don't worry, everything will be fine," he whispers reassuringly.
• "Alright, future parents. I've been briefed on your case. I'm Gynecologist Laura Shepherd, and I'll be checking if this little scare has affected the baby. Can you tell me how many weeks you are?" Dr. Shepherd asks..
• "Two weeks ago, she stole my sperm. Would that be the time?" Alessandro asks, causing Kim to blush with embarrassment and surprising the gynecologist.
• "W-well, no. That's not how it works. In pregnancy, the time is calculated from the last period and not from the moment of conception," the gynecologist explains, feeling a bit flustered by the unconventional conception story.
• "It was three weeks ago," Kim clarifies, and the doctor nodded.
• "Alright, let's proceed with the transvaginal ultrasound. This way, we'll ensure everything is progressing smoothly. Mrs. Delacroix, please, get on this chair. It'll be more comfortable for you during the examination," the gynecologist says, inadvertently causing both Alessandro and Kim to feel uneasy with how she addressed them.
• On the other hand, Lucia silently clapped and gave a thumbs-up to her friend, indicating that she had won this small dispute by being called Mrs. Delacroix and that Alessandro shouldn't correct the doctor.
• The doctor prepares the equipment and, after applying some gel and covering it with a protective sheath, she gently inserts it into Kim, eliciting a discomforted groan from her.
• "Is it normal for her to react like that?" Alessandro asks, his concern evident.
• The gynecologist, whispering, remarks, "What an attentive husband you have, Mrs. Delacroix," as Kim reacts to the intrusion with discomfort. "But yes, it's a normal response."
• "The gel is cold, and the procedure can cause some discomfort due to the intrusion," the gynecologist explains to Alessandro before turning to Kim. "Try to relax, Mrs. Delacroix. It will be less uncomfortable."
• "I understand," Kim responds softly.
• "I'm glad you two are back together. I heard you had gotten divorced. But undoubtedly, if you had, that divorce will be annulled with this baby," the gynecologist says, and Dr. Lewis approaches to explain the situation in her ear. She opens her eyes in amazement and clears her throat. "Here is the little one," she says, pointing to a small lump on the screen.
• Alessandro, Kim, and Lucia focus on the image, seeing the tiny lump nestled comfortably in its new home.
• "According to what I see, the baby is in perfect condition," the gynecologist murmurs, prompting the parents to breathe a sigh of relief. "Nevertheless, I will perform other tests to monitor the baby's progress and prescribe vitamins and medications for a healthy growth."
• "But everything's alright, isn't it?" Kim asks, seeking reassurance, and the doctor smiles and nods.
• "The baby is calm. It may have felt its mother's concern, but now it's calm. Nothing that happened has affected it significantly," the gynecologist explains, prompting a relieved agreement from Kim.
• "Thank God."
• "Anyway, I hope this doesn't happen again. We can't tempt fate. Mrs... Morgan, it would be good for you to take good care of yourself from now on. This being your first pregnancy, you should be cautious," the doctor advises.
• "Yes, doctor. I will be careful."
• "I will make sure she takes care," Alessandro assures.
• The gynecologist removes the instrument and leaves, ordering the necessary tests. With the relief that both are fine, questions arise.
• "What happened in that apartment, Miss Morgan?" Alessandro asks, prompting Kim's anger at the memory.
• "It was Dante," Lucia interjects, looking at Kim.
• "That damn son of a..." Lucia's words trail off.
• "Who is Dante?"
• "My ex-partner," Kim responds. "When I arrived at the apartment, I found him in the bathroom. He told me that I had to pay for the humiliation I had caused him by revealing his infidelity and scaring away his conquests and human checkbooks," Kim explains.
• "I'm sorry, it was me who did that," Lucia says apologetically, angering Alessandro.
• "By doing foolish things that won't change anything, you put my son at risk," Alessandro says angrily.
• "I'm sorry, when anger overwhelms me due to injustices, I don't think, I act," Lucia apologizes.
• "The point is that he wanted to kill me. He created a trail with gasoline and other things to mask the smell, and he himself caused the fire before escaping through the window," Kim explains.
• "Do you have a photo of him?"
• "I can give it to you. Is it for the report?"
• "I'm not going to report him. I'll do something better," Alessandro replies, looking at Dante's social media and selecting one of his photos to send to an old friend of his with a clear message. “Teach him a lesson so he learns not to mess with something that is mine."
• After sending the message, he left to talk to the doctors, and it was then that both girls released the breath they had been holding in his presence. Because, even though he was still worried, Alessandro Delacroix's aura was quite strong. Strong enough to instill fear in others.
• "Friend, I'm glad you're okay," Lucia says, hugging her friend.
• "I'm glad to be okay. I was really scared," Kim comments, still affected by what happened.
• "But it's over now, and I'm sure that bastard won't show up in front of you again," Lucia assures her, and she nods.
• "I hope so, Lu," Kim murmurs. "Now, the only problem is Mr. Delacroix. He will definitely get us into prison.”
• "Well, he'll get me into prison because, from how worried I saw him today, I doubt he wants to see you behind bars," Lucia comments.
• "Pregnancy is not eternal. Maybe he won't take me to prison while I'm pregnant, but as soon as I have the baby, he'll send the police to the same hospital where I give birth to take me to jail," Kim says with concern.
• “Well, I think he's capable of that," Lucia murmurs softly as Alessandro enters the room.
• “They will let you stay tonight as a precaution, but if everything goes as expected, you can leave tomorrow," Alessandro informs Kim, who nods in understanding.
• Alessandro, who doesn't care about causing discomfort, looks directly at Lucia, who understands his gaze perfectly and therefore leaves.
• I haven't had lunch, I'll go eat something. I'll be back soon," Lucia says, fleeing the place. Kim, feeling trapped, takes a deep breath and braces herself for Alessandro's interrogation.
• “Miss Morgan,” Alessandro begins.
• “Yes, Mr. Delacroix?” Kim responds nervously.
• “Do you know the danger you were exposed to today?” Alessandro asks, and she nods.
• “I know, and I'm really sorry.”
• “You shouldn't have left the office. If you hadn't done that, you wouldn't have fallen into your ex-partner's trap," Alessandro points out.
• “I wasn't aware of his plan. Besides, I would eventually have gone to the apartment. So, this couldn't have been avoided. Perhaps, it could have been worse if he had more time to plan," Kim comments.
• “We don't know that. But the point here is that you can no longer be alone. You have enemies who want to harm you, and that's why it's not good for you to have the baby when it's born,” Alessandro asserts.
• “What are you saying?”
• "Now it's impossible for you not to have it. But while the baby is being born, I would like you to be in a rest clinic, and after the birth, give my son to me," Alessandro comments calmly, but Kim's mind reels in shock.
• "What did you just say to me?" Kim blurts out.
• "Exactly what you heard. I want you to hand over my son as soon as he's born and disappear from our lives. I had planned to rent a surrogate mother with a sperm sample. But since you jumped ahead, I would like it to only change carriers and not the method itself of becoming a father,"
• Kim's disbelief and anger surge. "You…”
• "I want to rent out your womb, and when the baby is born, give him to me. I assure you I will pay you very well," Alessandro states, his tone unwavering.
• Kim's mind races with conflicting emotions. "Does he really still believe that I will sell my child?" she wonders to herself, feeling a mix of betrayal and indignation.