Chapter 175
Chapter 176
VENUS
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The first weeks blurred into a rhythm I hadn’t expected. Not calm-nothing about my life ever was-but steady in its own rough-edged way. Aaron was relentless. He coddled me in ways that made me want to strangle him and melt into him all at once. Every morning he set vitamins beside my juice before I woke. Every evening he hovered over my plate, making sure I ate enough protein and vegetables, like I was a soldier he was training to survive.
And when I tried to argue my independence? He shut me down with that CEO voice.
“You’re not coming to the office, Venus p>
“Excuse me? I’m not what p>
“You heard me.” His eyes cut sharp. “Stress isn’t optional right now. You’ll stay home p>
I folded my arms, glaring. “So I’m supposed to just sit here twiddling my thumbs while you play God at Sinclair Industries p>
“You’re supposed to keep our child safe,” he bit back. Then, softer, “Safe for me p>
That cracked me. That raw plea beneath his fury. But I still fought him, of course. We compromised: I’d come to the office three days a week, under the condition that I’d take breaks, eat on time, and leave meetings if I started feeling sick. He agreed only because he could keep me under his eye, like I was another file on his desk he could guard.
The morning sickness clung to me like an enemy. It hit in waves, sometimes brutal, sometimes mild. Aaron never left me to face it alone. He held my hair back. He brought cold towels. He rubbed my back when I curled over the sink, whispering low promises that this would pass. He was there in every way that mattered.
Today, though… today was different.
Today was the ultrasound.
The hospital corridor was quiet, walls lined with muted art prints that pretended to make the place warmer. Aaron’s hand stayed welded to mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles like a grounding wire.
Dr. Patel met us in the ultrasound room. The gel machine hummed faintly beside the exam table, and I suddenly realized how real this was about to become.
“Venus,” Dr. Patel greeted warmly, “Aaron. Ready for your first look p>
I swallowed hard. “As ready as I’ll ever be p>
Aaron squeezed my hand once before helping me onto the table, fussing with the paper sheet like it wasn’t already torn in places. His tension was written across every line of his body-he was bracing for a fight he couldn’t quite name.
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Chapter 176
The gel was cold when Dr. Patel spread it across my lower abdomen. I flinched slightly. Aaron brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, his face close enough that his breath tickled my cheek. “I’ve got you,” he murmured.
And then the probe pressed, the monitor flickered, and the world tilted.
Dr. Patel angled the wand slowly, her eyes narrowing at the screen. “Well now,” she murmured. “This is a surprise p>
My pulse spiked. “What p>
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Aaron’s grip tightened on my hand. “What does that mean?” His voice was already sharpening like a blade.
Dr. Patel smiled gently. “It means you’re carrying twins p>
For a moment, the room was silent. My brain stalled. Twins. Two.
Aaron’s body went rigid beside me. “Twins?” His voice was low, careful, like he didn’t trust the word.
Dr. Patel adjusted the angle, pointing to the screen. “Here-this is one gestational sac. And here’s the second. Both measuring right on track, about six weeks. Both showing fetal poles. Two heartbeats p>
The faint, rhythmic flickers on the screen pulsed like tiny beacons. Two separate lights. Two lives.
My chest squeezed. My throat ached. “Oh my God.” Tears blurred my vision. Not one. Two. Two pieces of us.
Aaron’s other hand came up, gripping the edge of the bed like he might shatter it. His jaw was locked, eyes glued to the screen, his chest rising and falling hard. “That means higher risk,” he ground out.
Dr. Patel nodded calmly. “Twins are automatically categorized as high risk. More monitoring, more ultrasounds, and more precautions. Preterm delivery is more common. Gestational diabetes and high blood pressure are also more likely. But remember, we have excellent tools to manage these things. You’ll be watched closely. You’re not alone in this p>
Aaron’s head whipped toward her. “What do I need to do? Tell me exactly. I don’t care if I have to turn our house into a hospital. I’ll do whatever it takes p>
She smiled kindly at his ferocity. “The basics remain the same-nutritious meals, hydration, rest. With twins, Venus will need more calories, more protein, more iron. Prenatal vitamins are even more important. Exercise should stay light-walking, swimming if she enjoys it. And most importantly: she must avoid stress. Physical and emotional. Stress hormones impact pregnancy. Twins already put extra demand on the body, so her environment must be as calm as possible p>
Aaron exhaled like he’d been handed an assignment from God himself. “Done. No stress. Whatever it takes p>
I turned my head toward him, laughing weakly despite the tears streaking my face. “You can’t bubble-wrap me, Aaron p>
He looked down at me, his eyes blazing with something between terror and awe. “Watch me p>
The doctor left us with ultrasound printouts: two little shadows, side by side. I clutched them to my chest,
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Chapter 176
my
heart a storm of fear and wonder. Two. My body was a battlefield and a cradle at once.
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Aaron tucked me against him as we walked out, his lips brushing my temple. “Twins, Venus. Fucking twins.” His voice cracked on the word.
Back at the penthouse, I FaceTimed Sabine and Gianna. My hands shook as I held the phone, propped against a mug on the counter. Aaron leaned against the island, arms folded, watching me like a hawk.
Sabine answered first, her brows arched. “You look like you’re about to confess to murder p>
Gianna popped up beside her, hair messy, eyes curious. “Spit it out, Venus. You’re glowing like you stole the crown jewels p>
I held
up the ultrasound printouts. My voice wobbled. “I’m pregnant with twins p>
The screen exploded with shrieks. Sabine actually dropped her coffee. Gianna clapped both hands over her mouth, squealing. “Oh my God, oh my God, TWO babies p>
Sabine was already pacing in the frame, muttering. “Of course. Of course the Sinclairs can’t just do things normally. No, Venus has to have twins. Double the drama.” But her grin split her face. “You’re insane. You’re brilliant. I love it p>
Gianna was crying, wiping her cheeks furiously. “I’m going to be an auntie twice over. Venus, this is—this is everything p>
I laughed and cried at once, overwhelmed by their joy. Aaron came into view then, leaning down, his hand heavy on my shoulder. “Don’t let them stress her,” he warned them, half-serious. “Doctor’s orders. Zero
stress p>
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Sabine rolled her eyes. “Relax, Sinclair. We’re not the ones making her blood pressure spike p>
“Watch it, Sabine.” His tone was low, but there was no bite, just that possessive edge.
Later that week, Rosemary called. “Dinner this weekend. Everyone. I don’t care what else you have planned. We’re celebrating.” Her voice trembled, joy dripping through every syllable.
Aaron agreed without hesitation. “We’ll be there p>
I was happy so happy
Little did I know that after this dinner my whole life was going to turn around.
For worse.
20:46 Wed, Jan 14
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.