The hospital was quiet, discreet. One of the Vincent-owned clinics. No cameras. No public records. Only trusted staff.
Sam sat on the exam table, hands folded tightly over his lap.
Oliver sat beside him, gripping his hand.
The doctor—a private family physician with soft, neutral eyes—entered with a clipboard. "Sam Vincent?"
Sam nodded slowly.
"We ran the tests. The results came back."
Sam gripped the edge of the table.
"Congratulations," the doctor said gently. "You're pregnant."
Silence.
Sam's mind flooded. His heartbeat roared in his ears. He felt his chest tighten, his throat close.
Pregnant.
"I… I didn't even…" he began, but no words followed.
Oliver stood and hugged him tightly. "Hey. Hey. It's okay. This is a good thing."
Tears pricked the edges of Sam's eyes. "Is it?"
"Yes," Oliver said firmly. "You're going to be an amazing parent. And your mates? They'll love this baby the moment they hear. Trust me."
"But what if they don't want this? What if—"
"Sam." Oliver stepped back, gripping both his shoulders. "You carried your secret alone for years. And they still stayed. This won't drive them away. It'll anchor them to you even more."After dropping Sam at the mansion, Oliver left for his apartment, promising to check in later.
Sam stood alone in the entrance hall, one hand resting protectively over his stomach.
He whispered, "Baby… what am I going to do?"
The chandelier light caught in his hair as he looked up at the tall, empty corridors. The mansion felt too big… and yet, a little warmer now.