"Since we returned, you haven't said anything. What's wrong? You look worried."
"Ah… hm. We need to go to another hospital before I confirm anything."
"What are you talking about?"
It had been a full day since they returned from the hospital, but Arthur had been acting strangely—extra kind and overly careful with everything. Ben was worried.
Arthur, on the other hand, was lost in his thoughts. They were wild and conflicting: Ben is pregnant with my child. Wow, I'm going to have a second child… but no, they said it's risky. We should terminate it. But how can I murder my own child? What about his health and life? I love him too much to risk that.
He hadn't been himself. He just needed confirmation before deciding what to do next.
Arthur ordered a private doctor and a portable scan machine. Crazy? Maybe. But he didn't care.
Ben noticed delivery men bringing equipment inside and was surprised. Then two doctors walked in and greeted both him and Arthur, who looked visibly anxious.
"What's going on?"
"Don't worry. We just need to examine your belly, sir. I hope you haven't taken anything yet."
"What!!?"
"Ben… please calm down. Just humor me this once. Please."
Ben's POV
I was shocked by the words coming from both the doctor and Arthur, who hadn't sat down since the machine arrived. What's wrong with me? Do I have AIDS? Cancer? What did that first doctor tell him? Still, I needed to know. I was about to pull off my shirt when Arthur stopped me, glaring angrily at the doctors.
"Don't worry, sir. You don't need to remove your shirt. We can just lift it a little."
I lay down on the emergency bed that came with the machine. They rubbed thick, cold gel on my belly. I was pressed—I needed to pee badly—but I held it in.
The moment they pressed the probe against my abdomen, I squeaked. It hurt more than I expected. Arthur rushed to my side and stared daggers at the doctor, who looked terrified.
"If you hurt him one more time, I'm going to smash that tool on your head until the iron breaks."
"Sir, it's not my fault, but I'll try."
With shaky hands, the doctor continued. I didn't want to get him in trouble, so I tried to hold in the pain, but my facial expressions betrayed me. Thankfully, Arthur didn't notice.
"Sir, come take a look," the second doctor called from the monitor.
Arthur moved closer.
"Sir, we have confirmed it. The abdomen isn't normal. It has already formed and circled. This pregnancy looks like it will only last two or three months instead of the usual nine, sir. The development is unusually fast for just one week."
I stood up instantly, ignoring the sharp pain, and moved quickly to their side.
"What's going on here?"
"Ben, calm down please."
"What the fuck is going on here!!!!!"
I raised my voice and everyone froze—including Arthur. I bet he forgot I was a trained gunman and his commanding PA.
"Ben… you are pregnant!!"
It sounded like a joke at first. I wanted to laugh, but their faces were dead serious. Fear gripped me.
"What do you mean?"
"Yes, you are pregnant… but—"
A sharp pain hit me again, like something biting inside. I clutched my stomach and staggered.
Arthur rushed to me and carried me. I heard him screaming at the doctors:
"What did you do to him? What did you do? I will kill you! I will fucking kill you! Lock the doors! Lock everywhere up!"
Arthur's POV
I was almost dead from fear. I was furious and terrified at the same time. I sat down with him on my lap, calling his name softly.
"Ben… baby, Ben, Ben…"
"Hmmm, yeah. I'm fine. Just weak. I think I'm hungry."
My mind relaxed a little. The doctors came rushing after us but stopped when they saw us together, speaking in soft tones. I signaled them to leave and told my guards to let them go.
I laid Ben down on the couch near the kitchen and quickly prepared something for him—eggs and sandwiches. I brought it over with a glass of milk. He was okay now, scrolling curiously through his phone.
I fed him and watched him finish everything. Then he sat up, looking at me like I wasn't fully there.
"What is going on with me?"
"Ben… hmm, I don't know how to start."
"Will you say something or…?"
"I will, I will. Calm down."
"Okay… I'm listening."
"The doctor told me you were pregnant that day. I didn't believe it at first, but six other doctors confirmed it. They said you absorbed your stillborn twin sister in the womb—most of her organs, especially the womb and other female reproductive parts. It isn't scientifically proven, but it's possible. I refused to believe it, so I bought the machine myself to see. And I saw it… Ben, you are one week pregnant. I don't know how or what to do or how to react."
He sat speechless, mouth open in awe. I hated seeing him like that, but he needed to absorb it.
"What are we going to do about it?"
"They told me to have you terminate it for your life and safety, but I want you to make that decision."
He instinctively guided his hands to his stomach. He looked horrified.
"You can't take my baby—my first baby. Hell no."
"Ben, I'm not saying I want to take our baby. I'm saying it's risky to keep it."
He stood up and looked me straight in the eyes.
"I need a break. I need to go stay in my own apartment for some time. Please, I'm taking permission from you as my boss to let me go, sir."
My heart shattered into pieces, but I couldn't hold him against his will.
"It's fine. How long do you need?"
"I don't know. I just need a break."
I nodded.
"I will send five guards and a house help to take care of you. Since you might not want me there, that's the only condition."
"Fine."
He went upstairs to get ready. A tiny tear escaped my eye. I wiped it immediately. Then I requested two mature ladies through the house maids app, picked the ones I liked, and hired them on the spot.
I assigned six of my best guards and a driver to take him home. Just then, I got a message from our head mafia contact: Elder Mark had shot someone in the leg after demanding the latest meeting updates. I was asked to come immediately before things escalated. I quickly rushed out.