The CEO Takes a Wife(33)

Only he didn’t.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low and rough.

Silence fell in the darkness. This was the last thing she expected him to say. “Thank you.”

And then he rolled onto his side, his back to her, and promptly went to sleep.

Olivia lay there for ages, listening to his breathing, a sense of hopelessness filling her. They were destined to be childless and that meant they were destined to be divorced. It was just a matter of time.

Alex had gone when she woke up and only the crumpled blankets on the other side of the bed told her he’d been there. Heavy-hearted, she drew on her silk bathrobe and walked out into the living room, fully expecting it to be empty.#p#分页标题#e#

But Alex was just placing the telephone back in its cradle. He glanced up when he heard her. “That was the specialist. He said he can see you later this morning.”

She missed a step. “Wh-what? So soon?”

His jaw tensed. “We need to have it confirmed once and for all.”

She quickly gathered her thoughts together. “You need to, Alex. I don’t need to know at all.”

His gaze softened as he came toward her. “Olivia, don’t you want to know? Really?”

Panic stirred in her chest. “No.”

He stopped in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re scared. I understand, but isn’t it best to know?”

Easy for him to say, she thought cynically. He’d drop her once he knew for sure and go make a new life for himself. While she…

She shrugged. “Maybe I’ll just wait and see what happens in a few years. Who knows? I might marry again and find myself pregnant and that will be a bonus,” she said, letting him know he wasn’t the only one capable of getting on with his life.

He pressed his lips together and gave her a little shake. “The only person you’re going to get pregnant to will be me, Olivia.”

His words warmed her but she knew it wasn’t fair to let him get his hopes up. “Alex, look—”

He sighed and dropped his hands away. “Olivia, I won’t force you into this. The choice is yours.”

She stared at him and all at once realized he really needed to know. She wanted to believe it was about them as a couple, but she knew it was about the baby.

Okay, so for him she would do it. Otherwise he would always wonder. And perhaps after this he would be able to move on.

From her.

“Okay, Alex,” she said quietly. “I’ll do it.”

His brows drew together. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she said with mild exasperation.

He fixed her with a candid gaze. “Right. Go get dressed. I need to make a few phone calls then I’ll be ready to come with you. We have an hour.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You’re coming with me?”

He looked surprised by the question. “Of course. Just try and stop me.”

Oh heavens. If she wasn’t careful she was going to get all weepy.

She cleared her throat. “Thank you, Alex. It’s just that Eric…” How did she say this politely? “He never…bothered.”

“The bastard,” Alex spat, his expression clouding in anger. After a second or two, his anger seemed to cool a little. “Well, I’m different. We’re in this together, Olivia.”

Her throat felt so tight with emotion, she could only nod.

“Now go get dressed,” Alex said, turning away and reaching for the phone, but his voice sounded a little unsteady.

Olivia fled the room before she broke down altogether. It was easier being strong when she didn’t think too hard about things, but have someone give her sympathy and she would probably turn into an emotional wreck.



Once they arrived at the hospital the specialist spoke to both her and Alex, then she was given a private room and a thorough round of tests began.

The doctor was totally noncommittal during their discussion and Olivia told herself not to get her hopes up. For the main part she didn’t, but there was that rogue flicker of optimism that wouldn’t be quiet no matter how much she tried to suppress it.

As for Alex, he was great. He stayed with her as much as he could, refusing to leave her side.#p#分页标题#e#

And then late that day they waited in the room for the news together.

And Alex sat next to the bed and held her hand tightly as the specialist delivered the bad news that she would never have a child. The damage from the ectopic pregnancy was just too extensive, he was sorry to say.

Not as sorry as she was, she thought, glad to be feeling hugely numb both inside and out.

She’d known.

Dear God, she’d known, but somehow she’d let herself hope.