Reborn Heiress: Married To My Ex-Husband's Rival
Chapter 108 I’m Pregnant

Chapter 108: Chapter 108 I’m Pregnant

Nicole hesitated, her face grew tense which he immediately noticed.

He didn’t speak right away as he took in her every expression.

She looked away, lips slightly parted like she had something to say but didn’t want to. He stopped walking altogether.

"Nicole..." his voice was low, gentle. "What is it?"

She gave him a quick shake of the head. "Nothing. It’s nothing. Let’s just go."

He frowned. "Nicole."

"I said it’s nothing, Ray."

He stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "No, see... I know that face. That’s your ’I’m not okay but I’ll swallow it anyway’ face. Don’t do that with me."

Nicole’s breath caught. Her hands fidgeted against the baby blanket she was holding.

"I said I’m fine."

He looked at her like he could see right through her. "You’re lying."

Nicole’s lips trembled. She swallowed hard, eyes flickering to the ground.

"Just... drop it, please," she whispered.

"Nicole," he said again, his voice came out softer this time. "Talk to me."

And just like that, her resolve crumbled as she recounted—

—

—

FLASHBACK

Nicole’s fingers trembled as she held the small white stick in her hand. Two faint pink lines stared back at her like a death sentence.

"No. No no no," she whispered, pacing the small bathroom,her hair was in a messy bun, oversized hoodie swallowing her frame.

She dropped the stick on the counter like it burned her. The test results felt too unreal for her that she found it hard to come to terms with her now-reality.

Her chest rose and fell quickly, panic crawling up her spine.

"What am I gonna do...?"

Tears pooled in her eyes before she could resist the urge. She grabbed the counter to keep herself from collapsing.

Her mind spiraled.

’He’s just started college. We both have. This isn’t supposed to happen. We were careful. We... weren’t stupid. We—’

Her eyes darted to the bathroom mirror. She looked like a mess. Her Mascara smudged her face and her eyes were red. Her stomach twisted in nerves.

’My mom’s gonna kill me.’

She turned, pressed her back against the wall, then slowly slid to the floor while pulling her knees up to her chest.

’Pregnant. Me. Pregnant. At nineteen. Jesus.’

She sobbed into her hands at the thought of being, her muffled cries echoed in the small room. The air felt thick and suffocating.

She had missed her period and it was becoming bothersome so she had decided to check even though she had fear of knowing what the result could say. And it turned out that she was ten weeks pregnant.

A loud buzz pulled her from the moment, making her flinch in shock. Her anxiety heightened. Her phone lit up.

Jasmine calling.

She hesitated before she picked it up with a trembling hand. "Hey," Nicole whispered, her voice cracked at the end.

"Nicole?" Jasmine’s voice came through the phone, her voice was light as feather. "What’s wrong? You sound... off."

Nicole didn’t answer at first. Her breath hitched. "I—I messed up," she choked.

"What happened?" Jasmine asked, her tone changed immediately. "Where are you?"

"In my bathroom. I—I think I’m pregnant."

There was a brief pause on Jasmine’s end, making Nicole grow even more anxious. Then Jasmine’s voice dropped to a whisper.

"Oh, Nicky..."

Nicole let out a shaky breath, tears still flowing. "I swear we were careful. It wasn’t supposed to happen. We just... I don’t know, Jas. I don’t even know what to think right now."

"Did you tell him?"

"No."

"Who is he?" Jasmine asked gently. "You never told me who you were dating. Is he from school?"

Nicole hesitated. Then nodded, even though Jasmine couldn’t see her at that moment. "Yeah. He’s... he’s from campus. We met at a party. Been together for a few months. He’s sweet, Jasmine. I swear he is. But we didn’t plan this."

Jasmine took a breath. "Okay. Breathe with me, Nicky. Just breathe, okay? I’m here. Always. But you need to tell him. And... maybe I should meet him?"

"I don’t even know how to tell my parents," Nicole said, her voice cracking again. "You know them. They are very strict and conservative. I’m not even allowed to sleep over at a friend’s without a Bible verse and a curfew."

"I know," Jasmine said softly. "But you’re not alone. You hear me?"

Nicole bit her lip. "My dad’s gonna disown me, Jasmine. I know he will. And my mom? She’s gonna pray the baby out of me."

There was silence,then Jasmine said carefully, "So... what are you thinking? About the baby, I mean."

Nicole broke down again.

"I don’t know! One minute I wanna keep it. The next, I wanna disappear. And... There’s this stupid part of me that wonders if I’m even strong enough to be a mom. At nineteen. With college. With parents who’ll never forgive me. I’ve been in this damn bathroom for three hours. Crying and talking to myself like a lunatic."

Jasmine didn’t speak for a while before she uttered. "You’re not a lunatic. You’re scared. And that’s okay."

Nicole wiped her face. "I don’t even know if he’ll stick around, Jas. What if I tell him and he bolts? What if he says it’s not his problem?"

"If he runs," Jasmine said firmly, "then he doesn’t deserve to be called a man. I’ll punch him myself."

That made Nicole crack a weak smile.

"Let me meet him," Jasmine said again. "Please. Just so I know you’re okay. I don’t care who he is. If he cares about you even a little, he’ll show up when it matters."

Nicole nodded, her breath still ragged. "Okay. I’ll tell him. I’ll ask him to meet you."

"You’ve got me," Jasmine reminded her softly. "No matter what happens. Baby or no baby. Disownment or not. I’m with you, Nicole and I’m always here to support you every step of the way."

Nicole finally breathed. "I love you, Jasmine."

"I love you more."

Few hours later....

Nicole stood in front of the Schnitzel mansion, her fingers wrapped tightly around the baby blue envelope in her hand. Her knees were weak as she stared up at the mansion of the rich Schnitzel family. The cab had barely driven off and she already felt like running back down the street.

’Please let him be home. Please.’

She hadn’t told him anything yet. Maybe the inferiority was finally setting in. While she came from an average family where her father was a small carpenter and her mother owned a bustling restaurant—Raymond Schnitzel was the golden apple and he was a rich-popular dude who the campus girls wanted on their bed.

She adjusted her hoodie nervously and walked up the steps. She pressed the doorbell once, then twice.

A few seconds later, a kind looking woman in uniform opened the door. She was the nanny.

"Hello, ma’am," Nicole said softly, shifting from one foot to the other. "I’m... I’m looking for Raymond."

The nanny gave her a gentle nod and stepped aside. "Come in. You must be one of his friends. I’ll let him know someone came by."

Nicole nodded, stepping inside the lavish and spacious living room. Her eyes scanned the art-lined walls, the untouched throw pillows, the big white rug that felt too expensive to even step on.

But before the nanny could say more, a soft voice floated from across the room.

"She’s here for Raymond?"

Nicole’s head snapped in the direction of the voice.

Sitting gracefully on a cream velvet armchair was Mrs. Schnitzel, Raymond’s mother, holding a porcelain coffee cup in one hand and a magazine in the other. Her hair was pulled into a flawless low bun, her robe was neat and spotless. Her smile was very polite, she was very beautiful and looked young.

"Yes, ma’am," Nicole replied nervously. "I—I didn’t know you were here. I was just—"

"Of course I’m here. It’s my home," the woman said with a chuckle, setting her cup down. "What did you say your name was?"

"Nicole," she said quietly. "Nicole Morgan. I’m a... friend of Raymond’s."

Mrs Schnitzel’s eyes twinkled,"A friend, huh?"

Nicole flushed.

"Would you like some tea?" she offered, gesturing to the set in front of her. "It’s chamomile. Helps with nerves."