Chapter : 1162

Ivy’s heart tightened.

If she had told Nathan, would he have come?

Seeing her stay quiet, Nathan frowned. “Wanda told me to come. If I didn’t, she’d never stop talking about it.”

So he was here because Wanda pushed him.

Ivy understood. It seemed that he hadn’t planned on coming. That explained everything.

“I’ll explain it to Wanda,” Ivy said softly. “If you’re busy, you can go.”

Madge jumped in right away. “Mr. Lowe, this is Ivy’s first prenatal appointment. They’re doing an ultrasound to check the baby’s development. You should stay. Look around. Every other couple here came together. Work can wait. Ivy’s more important.

“Stop,” Ivy cut in quickly.

Madge scrunched her face but stayed quiet.

“Things aren’t busy at work today. I’ll stay with you,” Nathan said. He took the paperwork from Ivy’s hand. “Let’s go.”

She blinked. “Go where?”

“Inside. You’ve got a checkup, right?”

He was really staying.

That surprised her.

The three of them walked into the doctor’s office. The doctor glanced at Nathan and smiled. “Ms. Quinn, is this your husband, Mr. Lowe?”

Ivy nodded. “Yes.”

“Good. Prenatal visits are better when both parents come. Go ahead and lie down. We’ll do the ultrasound.”

Ivy eased back onto the exam bed.

“Mr. Lowe, what are you waiting for?” the doctor said lightly. “Help your wife lift her shirt.”

Help her?

Ivy looked at Nathan. Their eyes met, and the air turned awkward.

“I can do it,” she murmured, reaching up.

But Nathan stepped forward first. He caught the hem of her shirt and gently lifted it.

Her flat, pale stomach came into view under the bright exam light.

“That’s good,” the doctor said, focusing on the screen. “Let’s take a look at the embryo.”

The cool probe pressed against Ivy’s skin. A moment later, an image flickered onto the monitor.

“The baby’s developing well,” the doctor said. “Here’s the embryo. And this is the heartbeat. Listen.”

A steady thumping filled the room.

Thump, thump, thump.

Chapter 1162

+25 Bonus

Nathan had never felt anything like this before.

There it was, a tiny life. His child.

He had never planned on becoming a father. The idea had always felt distant and abstract. But hearing that heartbeat hit himn straight in the chest.

This was his blood. The continuation of his family.

Ivy stared at the small flicker on the screen, her lips curving softly. Her whole face glowed with something warm and quiet.

Madge grinned. “Mr. Lowe, see that? That’s your baby with Ivy. She’s going to be a mom. You’re going to be a dad, too. Congratulations.”

A dad.

Nathan’s eyes softened, though he didn’t seem to realize it himself.

The doctor turned off the machine. “Everything looks great. The baby’s doing very well. Mr. Lowe, come here for a second.”

Nathan stepped closer. “Yes, doctor?”

“Your wife is a first–time mother. Pregnancy isn’t easy. At night, you can gently place your hand on her stomach and massage in small circles. It helps with soreness, and it’s good for bonding with the baby, too.”