The Comments Said My Baby Was Worth A Billion-Dollar Empire Chapter 02

The Comments Said My Baby Was Worth A Billion-Dollar Empire Chapter 02

Everything about Lily was soft: white dress, dark hair, wide doe eyes.

Next to someone like Victor, she practically glowed. Her lashes fluttered when she spotted the ultrasound report in my hand.

“Are you feeling alright, Miss Sterling?”

I shoved the ultrasound behind my back.

“Mind your own business.”

The color drained from Lily’s face.

“I was just concerned.”

Victor turned to her. “Who told you to come up here?”

Lily caught her lower lip between her teeth.

“Your grandmother asked me to bring you some hot soup. Your doctor said your stomach’s been bothering you.”

Victor’s expression closed off.

“Leave it and go.”

“She also wanted me to tell you to come home to the estate tonight.”

The comments started racing.

[Here we go. Grandma’s playing matchmaker for Lily and Victor.]

[Lily saved his grandmother’s life and now the old lady is OBSESSED with her.]

[If Chloe keeps acting up, Victor’s gonna get sick of her real fast.]

I leaned against Victor’s side.

“You can’t go tonight.”

He looked down at me.

“Since when do you get to tell me what to do?”

I tipped my chin up.

“Since I started carrying your baby. So yes, I get a say.”

Whatever color Lily had left drained away.

Victor studied me with cold, measuring eyes, like he was reading a contract full of loopholes.

“Chloe. You’d better understand what happens if I find out you’re lying.”

I was terrified of him. But I was more terrified of dying.

I pulled my shoulders back and forced every ounce of confidence I didn’t have into my voice.

“Then test me. Right now.”

Within minutes, the chief of obstetrics walked into Victor’s private lounge with a nurse and a cart of equipment. They ran everything: bloodwork, urine, ultrasound.

I lay on the exam bed with my skirt tugged down over my hips, my palms slick with sweat. Victor stood at the window with his back to me, his spine rigid.

Lily hadn’t left. She hovered outside the door, peering through the gap.

The doctor studied the results and looked like he’d rather be anywhere else.

“Mr. Vance. Miss Sterling is pregnant.”

Victor went still.

The doctor cleared his throat.

“The gestational age is consistent with the timeline.”

I sat up so fast the paper crinkled beneath me.

“You heard him.”

Victor’s gaze didn’t move to me. It stayed fixed on the doctor.

“Can you confirm paternity?”

The doctor shrank under that stare.

“Invasive testing isn’t recommended this early. We can schedule noninvasive paternity testing in a few weeks.”

My smile didn’t survive that.

“You’re still questioning me?”

He said nothing.

Lily stepped into the room, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Please don’t take it personally, Chloe. Given Victor’s medical history, it only makes sense to be thorough.”

I grabbed the pillow off the bed and hurled it at her.

“Who asked you?”

It hit her square in the chest and she stumbled backward. Tears filled her eyes before she could blink.

Victor’s brow creased.

Something bitter twisted in my stomach. I kicked the blanket off and swung my legs over the side of the bed.

“Fine. I’m leaving.”

The second my feet hit the floor, a sharp cramp tore through my abdomen. I doubled over.

Victor crossed the room in two strides and scooped me up.

“Doctor!”

I clutched his collar, tears spilling before I could stop them.

“Don’t touch me.”

His whole body went rigid.

A cane struck the hallway floor, sharp, deliberate, and getting closer. Victor’s grandmother had arrived.

She swept into the room, and her attention went straight to my stomach.

“Which one of you is carrying a Vance?”