AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA
Dr. Mercer flipped another page on his clipboard, his pen scratching in neat, precise lines. The room smelled faintly of disinfectant and cherry blossom air freshener, an odd mix that made me feel both safe and trapped.
"Based on your cycle and today's bloodwork." He said, tapping the chart with his pen. "Your optimal implantation window is approaching. We'll schedule the procedure for next Friday."
"Next Friday?" I repeated, my stomach flipping. A date. A real date.
Suddenly, it wasn't abstract anymore. It was happening. He looked up at me, steady.
"Yes. The timing is ideal. We'll prepare everything on our end, and you'll arrive early that morning for procedure monitoring. Do not worry about the specifics, that's our responsibility. Yours is to stay calm, rested, and ready."
I nodded, though my hands fidgeted with the edge of the thin gown. Ready. The word sounded easier than it felt. A silence hung for a beat too long, and before I could stop myself, the question spilled out.
"Doctor… what happens if the donor… wants to see the baby?"I said.
Mercer's pen froze against the paper. Slowly, he lifted his head, his expression unreadable.
"That is… a rare scenario." He said carefully. "The donor's agreement is always framed as anonymous. They provide the sample, we handle the rest. Their role ends here."
"But what if they change their mind?" I pressed, my throat tightening. "What if one day they wanted… more? To be part of the child's life?"
His eyes narrowed, not cruel, but calculating, like he was studying a puzzle.
"Why do you ask this?"He asked.
I hesitated, then shook my head quickly.
'I don't know. It just crossed my mind. I want this baby to be mine. Only mine." My voice cracked on the last word, too raw, too honest.
Mercer leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping into that soft, unnervingly calm tone.
"Ms. Hart, listen to me. We select donors very carefully. Their motives are vetted. Their anonymity is absolute. They do not interfere. That child-" He tapped his pen against the chart "-will be yours. Do you understand?"
I swallowed hard.
"Yes."I said.
"Good." He offered the faintest smile, though it didn't quite touch his eyes. "Don't let shadows cloud your mind. Focus on what matters, you will have what you've longed for. A child. A family. That is all."
I nodded again, but the question lingered, stubborn and heavy in my chest. What if the donor wanted to see the baby? Mercer had dismissed it so smoothly, but deep down, I wasn't sure I believed him. And worse, I wasn't sure why Xavier's face had been the first one to flicker through my mind when I asked. The glass doors of the clinic sighed open behind me as I stepped out into the late afternoon air. The sun was dipping low, painting the edges of Cherry Blossom Sanctuary in gold and rose. It should've felt calming, but my chest was tight, Mercer's words still echoing in my head. Donors don't interfere. Anonymity is absolute. I wanted to believe him. I did. But the unease clung like a second skin.
"Careful, Isabella. You look like you're carrying the weight of the world."I whispered to myself.
"Sounds like it."I heard similar voice tone."
I startled, my head snapping toward the familiar voice. And of course, there he was, Xavier Stoneheart, leaning casually against the black car parked along the curb, his jacket draped over one arm like the evening was his personal stage.
"Mr. Stoneheart…" My voice wavered between surprise and exasperation. "Do you just… appear out of nowhere everywhere I go?"
His mouth curved into that easy, practiced smile.
"Maybe fate is doing the hard work for me."Xavier said.
I shook my head, half amused despite myself.
"You don't actually believe in fate, do you?"I asked.
He pushed off the car, stepping closer, his eyes glinting as they caught the light.
"I believe in patterns. In inevitability. And right now, the pattern seems to be us bumping into each other. Over and over."He said.
I pressed my purse strap tighter against my shoulder, trying to steady myself.
"Or maybe this town just isn't that big."I frowned.
"Mm. Maybe." He said, voice low, amused. "But you don't blush this much around every man you pass on Main street."
Heat rose to my cheeks immediately.
"I- what? That's not-"I started.
He chuckled softly, clearly enjoying himself.
"There it is again. That pink flush. You really do make it too easy, Isabella."He said.
I glared at him, though my lips twitched against a smile.
"You're insufferable."I groaned.
"And yet you haven't walked away." His tone was smooth, teasing but edged with certainty.
My breath caught, and I hated that he was right. I should've walked straight past him, gone home, shaken off this weird connection. Instead, I stood there, caught in his orbit. He tilted his head, studying me more closely now.
"Rough day at the clinic?"He asked.
My eyes flicked away.
"Something like that."I muttered.
"Ah." He said softly, his voice dipping lower, almost conspiratorial. "Secrets then. That's fine. I'll wait. You'll tell me when you're ready."
I laughed, nervous and light, though something about his certainty tugged deep in my chest.
"You're impossible."I sighed.
"Maybe." He leaned just slightly closer, enough for me to catch the faint, familiar spice of his cologne, the same scent that had haunted me in the clinic halls.
"But admit it you'd miss me if I weren't around."
My heart thudded, too quick, too sharp. I opened my mouth, ready to deny it, but no words came. From the way Xavier's smile curved slowly and knowingly, I had the awful feeling that he already knew my answer.
"I should get going." I said quickly, clutching the strap of my purse a little tighter. "It's been… a long day."
"Then all the more reason you shouldn't be walking home alone." Xavier replied smoothly, falling into step beside me before I even had the chance to protest.
I shot him a look.
"I didn't invite you."I said.
"You didn't stop me either."He smirked.
"You're unbelievable."I frowned.
"Thank you. I get that a lot." His tone was warm, playful, but his pace matched mine easily, like he'd already decided this was non negotiable.
I sighed.
"It's a five minute walk. I think I can survive."I said.
"Five minutes is more than enough time for someone with bad intentions." He said softly, his eyes scanning the quiet street with a kind of practiced sharpness that made my stomach twist.
"Besides… I'd hardly forgive myself if something happened to you after we parted ways."
My heart gave a strange little jolt. Protective wasn't what I expected from him. Flirtatious? Yes. Arrogant? Always. But there was something steady, grounding, in his tone that made it difficult to argue.
"You make it sound like the Sanctuary is dangerous." I muttered.
"Everywhere is dangerous if you're too trusting." He said. Then, glancing at me with that sly grin again. "Not that you should worry. I'll make sure you're safe. Consider it a… service."
I laughed, shaking my head.
"What are you, my bodyguard now?"I asked.
"If you'd like me to be." His answer was immediate, quiet, and almost serious, though his smile lingered at the corners of his mouth.
I turned my gaze forward, trying to hide the heat rushing to my cheeks again. He was too much. Too close. Too perceptive. We walked in silence for a stretch, the sound of our steps echoing against the pavement. The golden haze of the streetlamps flickered to life, wrapping the town in a softer glow. I caught myself sneaking a glance at him, his easy stride, the way his hands slid into his pockets, his expression calm but focused like he was half in the moment, half calculating something far beyond me.
"You're staring." He said without looking at me.
I jerked my head forward.
"I am not!"I responded.
"You are." His voice was quiet, amused. "But don't worry. I don't mind."
"Unbelievable." I muttered again, but this time the word came with a reluctant smile.
By the time we reached my building, my nerves felt tangled in knots of equal parts unease and comfort. He stopped just short of the steps, his gaze flicking up at the apartment windows before resting on me.
"Home safe." He said softly. "Mission accomplished."
I shook my head at him, lips curving.
"You're ridiculous."I said.
"Mm. Perhaps." His voice dipped lower, steadier. "But tell me this, Isabella, did it feel ridiculous to have someone walk beside you tonight?"
I froze, my breath catching at the quiet weight of his words. And then, before I could stumble for an answer, he stepped back, his smile smooth, almost knowing.
"Goodnight, Isabella."He said and then he turned, leaving me staring after him, my heart still thudding too fast.