The Billionaire's Ex-wife is a Brilliant Lawyer

*Bella's POV *

I rested my chin against my palm, staring blankly at the bridal gowns in the magazine on my lap. Sequins and satin blurred into one glittering haze, and a sharp twist of unease coiled in my stomach. I winced, pressing a hand over it, trying to convince myself it was nothing.

"You're doing that thing again."

I lifted my head. Alex stood in the doorway, arms crossed over his broad chest, dark brows drawn together. Even in casual clothes, even with that slight crease in his forehead, he commanded the room. His presence made the air heavier somehow, more urgent.

"What thing?" I asked, forcing a weak laugh.

"Pressing your stomach and pretending you're fine when you're clearly not." He stepped closer, filling the space between us until it felt like the air itself had contracted. He crouched beside me, brushing a strand of hair from my face, and I caught the faint scent of his cologne-warm, woody, and familiar. "Talk to me, Bella."

"It's nothing," I murmured, voice thinner than I intended.

"Bella." The word was low, patient, firm-the kind of tone he always used when he refused to let me hide anything. "Since this morning you've been pale, yawning every five minutes, barely touching your food... and now you wince every time you move. You expect me to believe it's nothing?"

My lips twitched into a ghost of a smile. "Have you been watching me that closely?"

He didn't answer.

"Maybe I just need sleep," I added, trying to adjust my posture to make the ache in my gut feel insignificant.

His brow arched. "You slept in today. Don't make excuses."

"You're bossy. Gosh!" I teased, the words coming out softer than I planned.

"I'm concerned." His hand covered mine, thumb brushing across my knuckles, steadying, grounding. "You're my bride-to-be, Bella. The woman I'm marrying. How can I focus if you're not well?"

A warmth crept into my chest, tangling with the unease that refused to leave. I tried to shrug it off. "You really think it's that serious?"

"I think you're stubborn enough to downplay it." His gaze didn't waver. The kind of gaze that made it impossible to argue. "Go to the doctor. Just for peace of mind. For me."

I sighed, letting the corners of my mouth twitch. "Alright. I'll go."

A smile tugged at his lips. He leaned forward, pressing a brief kiss to my forehead. "Good girl."

I rolled my eyes, a laugh bubbling up, weak but genuine. "So when are you back tonight? We still have cake samples waiting."

His hesitation made my chest clench. He drew in a breath, careful, deliberate. "Ah... Bella," he began slowly, "I meant to tell you earlier but... I have to travel. Four days, maybe five. The Singapore branch is facing a crisis, and the board needs me there."

My stomach dropped. "Four days? And you're just telling me?"

"I know. I'm sorry." His exhale was heavy. "I hate leaving now, especially with the wedding so close, but this can't wait. If I don't go, things could go wrong."

I tried to mask my disappointment, but my eyes gave me away. "You promised we'd slow down before the wedding."

"I remember," he said softly, thumb brushing against my cheek. "And I'll make it up to you the moment I'm back. You have my word."

"Your words should include cake tasting and flower picking."

His grin was brief, boyish, the one that always made my heart tilt. "It includes anything you want," he said. "As long as you promise to see a doctor."

I leaned into the touch. "Fine. But only because you won't stop nagging otherwise."

"Exactly," he said, standing and slipping on his jacket. "Nagging is part of my charm."

I shook my head, laughing softly as he bent down to kiss me. "Stay safe," I whispered against his lips.

"I'll call every night," he promised, lingering before stepping back. "And when I come back, you'll tell me you've been resting. Deal?"

"Deal."

He left with a final wave, and the quiet that followed felt heavier than I expected. My hand drifted unconsciously to my stomach again, pressing gently as though I could soothe the uncertainty coiled there. Something about the ache... it wasn't just exhaustion.

------

At the clinic, my foot tapped nervously against the tiled floor. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, and the sterile scent of antiseptic seemed sharp against my skin. The doctor skimmed my file, then looked up with a gentle smile.

"Mrs. Bella," he began.

I corrected softly, "Miss."

"Sorry. Miss Bella," he said, flipping the papers. "Your tests are back."

My chest tightened. "And?"

"Congratulations. You're pregnant."

The words hung in the air, surreal, like sunlight catching on ripples of water. My lips parted, hand flying to my mouth as a laugh slipped out-soft, incredulous, shaky. "Pregnant?"

"Yes," he said, turning the screen toward me. "You're about six weeks along. Everything looks normal. The baby is healthy."

Tears blurred my vision, warm and unstoppable, slipping down my cheeks before I could stop them. Laughter mingled with tears, a strange, beautiful mixture. "I'm... I'm going to be a mother."

The doctor's smile softened. "Yes. You look happy about it."

"I am," I whispered, pressing my palms to my middle, as if I could hold the life growing there in my hands. "More than happy. I can't wait to tell him."

My mind leaped to Alex-his dark eyes widening, the steadying weight of his hand on my stomach, pride and love radiating off him in waves. He had always wanted children someday. This was it. That "someday" had arrived early.

"Take care of yourself," the doctor said. "Eat well, rest plenty. You'll need it."

"I will," I said, voice firm, smile radiant, as though saying it made it real.

Walking out of the hospital, clutching the test results against my chest like the most precious thing in the world, the air outside felt sharper, brighter. Every step seemed lighter. The city sounds crisper, as though the universe itself had shifted for me.

Pulling out my phone, I typed quickly. Doctor's visit done. Nothing serious. I just need some rest.

Almost immediately, his reply came: Good. I'm boarding now. Call you tonight.

I stared at the screen, my secret bubbling inside, fizzing like champagne, ready to spill. Not tonight, I decided. I wanted to see him, to watch the moment his entire world changed.

Smiling through tears, I didn't bother wiping away, I whispered, "Tomorrow, Alex. Tomorrow I'll tell you."

Tomorrow would be the beginning of forever.