Chapter 6 KEEP AN EYE ON CAROLINE PARKER

Chapter 6:

My breath hitched.

"Are you pregnant?" he asked again, keeping his tone sharp. His piercing blue eyes locked on mine.

My heart pounded so hard, I was scared he'd hear it.

I forced a laugh, trying not to sound too obvious.

"Pregnant? What? No! Of course not."

He just stood there, staring at me, as if he were trying to find the truth in my words.

I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

"You sure?" His eyes narrowed slightly. "Cause you've been sick a lot lately."

Damn it. He noticed.

I forced a carefree shrug. "I've just been under a lot of stress. Between the exhibit and work... it's just overwhelming."

It wasn't entirely a lie. I was under a lot of stress, just not the kind he's thinking about.

He studied me for a moment longer and then to my surprise he reached for his phone.

"I'll have to call my private doctor to come by and check on you," he said. "Just to be sure."

Oh No, I couldn't let that happen! If his doctor examined me, there would be no point hiding it.

"No!" I blurted out, a little too quickly. Kane's brow lifted slightly.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice. "I mean it won't be necessary. I just need rest. A few hours of sleep and I'll feel better."

Kane crossed his arms. "Caroline..."

"I'm fine," I cut in, straightening up. "Seriously. If it'll make you feel better, I'll go home early and rest."

I thought he'd push more, demanding for the truth. But instead, he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Just take care of yourself."

His tone was softer now and something about it made my throat tighten.

I nodded quickly and headed to my office to get my bag.

"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow."

As I walked away, I could feel his gaze on me.

I exhaled as I stepped into the hallway.

That was close. Too close.

Later when I got to the house, I shut the door behind me and let out a long breath.

Kane was more observant than I thought. If I had made a single mistake, he would have found out I was pregnant.

I kicked off my shoes and dragged myself to the couch, sinking into it, exhausted.

I felt my stomach stir but it wasn't nausea, it was guilt.

How much longer was I going to keep this from Kane?

Before I could dwell on the thought, Gina's voice snapped me back to reality.

"Caro?"

I looked up to see her stepping out the kitchen, a spoon in one hand and a suspicious look on her face.

"You're home early," she noted, narrowing her eyes. "Did you get fired?"

I groaned, rubbing my temple. "No, Gina, I..."

She gasped dramatically, cutting me off. "Oh my God. You did get fired. Did you mouth off to a billionaire? Oh, please tell me what you did. I need the entertainment."

I shot her a glare. "I did not get fired."

She squinted at me. "Suspended?"

"No."

"Did you at least punch someone?"

I sighed. "Gina..."

She dropped down beside on the couch. "Fine. What happened?"

I hesitated, then exhaled. "Kane knows something is up."

Gina's eyes widened. "What? Did he..."

"He asked if I was pregnant."

Her spoon slipped from her hand and hit the counter.

"And?"

"And I denied it, obviously"

She groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Caroline..."

"What was I supposed to do? Say yes and risk him thinking I'm after his money?"

Gina shook her head then gave me a straight face. "Caro, you're literally pregnant with his babies. That argument has an expiration date you know."

I sank deeper into the couch, pressing a hand on my forehead. "I know. But I'm scared, Gina. What if he freaks out? What if he thinks I planned this?"

Gina sighed then patted my knee. "Okay that's fair. But what's your plan? Hide it until the babies start calling him Daddy?"

I groaned. "I don't know... I just need more time."

She stared at me for a moment, then smirked. "Well at least tell me he freaked out a little. Maybe a bit of panic? Running his hand through his perfect billionaire hair?"

Despite the situation, I couldn't help but laugh. "He was suspicious. And very intense."

Gina raised an eyebrow. "So you did mouth off to a billionaire."

I playfully hit her arm. "Shut up."

She grinned then softened. "Caro, look, I get it. But you need to start thinking about what happens next. Because one way or another... Kane will find out."

I exhaled, exhausted, resting my hand on my belly.

She wasn't wrong.

And it seemed like I was running out time.

Kane's POV

I watched her as she walked away.

She was hiding something, I knew that much. But why was she hiding it? And what?

Maybe she was pregnant and maybe....

I shook my head, pushing the thought away. If that was the case, she would have told me.

Right?

I exhaled sharply, rubbing my jaw. So why did I feel uneasy?

There was something about the way she reacted just now, something I couldn't point out.

I didn't like secrets and especially not from her.

For weeks now, Caroline had been in my mind more than I cared to admit.

At first, I told myself it was just curiosity.

But now the more time I spent around her, the harder it became to ignore.

She wasn't like the women I'd met before. She looked at me like a person and not a prize to be won.

And now I was feeling something dangerously close to.... concern.

Damn it, focus Kane.

I went back to my office, shutting the door behind me. I needed to focus, there was too much at stake right now. The exhibition, the company, my investors... I didn't have time to get distracted.

But as I sat at my desk, my mind wandered back to Caroline.

The way she acted nervously.

The way she avoided my gaze.

What was she hiding?

I exhaled, tapping my fingers in the desk. Maybe I was overthinking. Maybe it really was just stress..

Or maybe..

I ran a hand down my face, closing my eyes briefly.

Trust her.

The thought crept into my mind.

Caroline wasn't like the others. She wasn't after my name, my power or my money.

At least, it's what I wanted to believe.

I let out a slow breath, gripping the edge of my desk. Was I really doing this?

Was I really jumping into conclusions, assuming the worst... just like I always did?

She said she was fine. I should let it go

I should trust her.

A tense silence filled in the room

But what if I was wrong?

I grabbed my phone and dialed my agent.

It rang for a while before a voice answered. "Mr Brown?"

"Do me a favor," I said, my voice low. "Keep an eye on Caroline Parker."

There was a brief pause. "Understood, Mr Brown."

For the first time in years, I was deciding if I could trust someone.

So if she wasn't going to tell me what was going on with her.

Then I'd just find out myself.