PRINCE CHARMING: A Stepbrother Secret Baby Romance(48)

When the tears finally stopped and she thought maybe she could face tomorrow without Quincy with her, she started to get to her feet. He got up with her and picked her up. She should’ve protested, but his arms were warm and protective around her, so she let him carry her to bed. Once she was tucked in, he kissed her one final time.

“I’ll see you in the morning, Princess Olivia,” he said quietly.

“Goodnight, Prince Quincy,” she replied and watched him leave her rooms. When the doors closed behind him and she was left in her cold, empty bed alone, the tears came again. She curled up in a ball and let them come, knowing that tomorrow, she had to put on a brave face. No one could know her heart was broken.

No one could know she had fallen in love with the prince.

***

Olivia spent the next few days recovering from her island bug and preparing to start courting Edric officially. Her mom stopped by every day to check on her and make sure she was okay. She was thrilled to find Olivia was interested in Edric.

“Can you imagine if you and he were to get married, too?” Melinda said that afternoon. “You could be here with me and we could really enjoy this new life together. Queen and princess, who would’ve thought?”

For her mom’s sake, she smiled. “Yeah, it’s pretty awesome, Mom, can’t lie about that.”

“Are you sure you’re feeling better? You seem down lately.”

Olivia put her feet up on the balcony railing and glanced at the paintings around her. She found the one to her left of the private cove and the couple making love. Her mother had seen it the day before and exclaimed how beautiful it was, so raw and natural and filled with love. If only her mom knew who that was supposed to be.

“Yeah, I guess I’m just missing home lately. We’ve been gone for over two months now.”

Melinda took Olivia’s hand and held it. “I thought that might be the reason, so I have a surprise for you.”

“What?”

“Just a second,” she said and got up, hurrying through Olivia’s rooms. “Come on in.”

Olivia turned around and squealed when she saw Helen standing in her room. “How did you get here? Oh my God!” She hugged her friend tightly to her as they laughed and nearly fell over. “I’m so happy to see you!”

“Your mom said you’d been a little off lately,” she said. “I can’t wait to see this place. It looks incredible!”

“I’ll leave you two for now,” Melinda smiled. “See you both at dinner—and Olivia, Edric will be there.” Melinda hugged her daughter and Helen together, humming as she left, probably thinking about a future wedding involving Olivia and Edric.

“God, I’m so happy you’re here. You have no idea.”

“I’m happy to be here. Who’s this Edric your mom mentioned? Is he cute?”

“He has some good qualities,” she said as she walked Helen to the balcony. “Want some wine? I have a new favorite I gotta share with you.” She felt Helen staring at her intently and glanced up. “What?”

“Olivia, I’ve known you for a long-ass time, and I know when something’s bothering you.”

“I’m fine, living the dream out here as a future princess,” she said tightly. “Absolutely nothing wrong…” She trailed off as her stomach roiled again, and she frowned. A minute later, she was in the bathroom, hugging the toilet, when a horrible realization hit her and she broke down in tears.

Helen held her friend as she babbled through her tears. Helen’s eyes widened. “Wait, what did you just say?”

Olivia took a deep breath and let it out as she looked at her friend. “I think I’m pregnant.”

***

In an hour, they were supposed to be downstairs for dinner, but eating was the last thing on Olivia’s mind. Her stomach had stopped gurgling finally, but the thought of food had her glancing towards the bathroom. She’d spent the past few hours catching Helen up on everything, including her relationship with Quincy. She was the only one Olivia could trust, and from the look on Helen’s face, she was still trying to absorb everything.

“You know when I told you to find a man down here, I didn’t mean your future stepbrother,” Helen said.

“I didn’t mean to fall for him,” Olivia groaned. “It just happened.”

“So you love him?”

“I love him, he loves me, and now I’m pregnant with our child. I’m about to cause the worst scandal this tiny kingdom has ever seen, he’s going to lose the crown, and it’ll be all my fault!”

“Olivia, calm down,” she said and took her friend’s flailing hands. “Just… deep breath. We’ll figure something out.”

“Like what? I’m supposed to start courting Edric. I can’t do that when I look like a blimp! People will notice eventually,” she screeched, her plan to keep her voice quiet leaving her. They’d moved the conversation inside and closed all doors and windows in case anyone walked by. “I messed everything up.”

Helen screwed up her face, and Olivia knew she was trying to think of something to say to make her feel better. “Yeah, I got nothing. You sure found a way to make life interesting.”

“Thanks. You’re a big help.”