35. Raven

Chapter thirty-five

Raven

It’s been seven days— an entire week since I’ve woken up alone in my own bed. This morning, like every other day, I lay there for a moment. Rays of sunlight filter into the room through the partially drawn curtains, casting a soft glow on the flowery wallpaper.

Home. After everything, it feels strange to be here. But what feels even stranger is not getting up for work.

The thought alone makes me sit up, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. Today, I’ll go back. I have to.

Taking a deep breath, I get out of bed, heading straight for the shower. The warm water cascades over me quickly, and soon, I’m slipping into a simple blue top that covers the slight swell of my stomach and a pair of well-fitted pants.

I stand in front of the mirror, my gaze drawn to the subtle curve beneath the loose fabric. I will myself to believe that I’m ready, but the nervous flutter in my stomach says otherwise. Harper’s questions flash through my mind, the interrogation she subjected me to the moment I returned.

It took some time but I eventually told her everything—how Ezra kidnapped me, and how I was enmeshed in the mafia’s life– except for this. My fingers trace over the bump, and I know I’ll share it when the time is right. A small smile slips onto my lips when I recall her reaction to the news.

She’d first freaked out that I was kidnapped by a don and had an affair with him before she pulled me into her embrace and restated how happy she was that I was back. She also told me how she had my back in case the don went loco and searched for me. Harper knows I love Ezra but, for the sake of our baby, I can’t bring myself to stay in his world.

My heart clenches at thoughts of him. It’s been seven days, and he hasn’t called or stopped by. Perhaps I overestimated myself and thought he’d pick me over the mafia.

With a loud sigh, I leave the bedroom, crossing the living room to the open kitchen, where the scent of fresh bread immediately greets me.

Harper stands by the counter, carefully wrapping a sandwich. She looks up and gives me a cheerful smile. “Good morning, Raven!” she sings, while handing me a plate with a sandwich. “I made you breakfast.”

“Thanks,” I reply, my voice a little shaky as I push away the pang of guilt in my chest, taking the plate and setting it down. Thankfully, a sandwich isn’t part of the food that nauseates me so it makes it a tad bit easier to hide my morning sickness from Harper, as it’s what we have most mornings.

I grab the sandwich and take a bite. “God, I’ve missed this,” I moan, as the sweetness of fresh bread hits the inside of my cheeks.

Harper winks at me, taking a bite of her own sandwich while packing up two more in parchment papers. “I see the workaholic is out again. Already going back to work? You sure you don’t want to rest a little longer?” Harper questions, lifting a brow at me.

I swallow and lick my lips. “I’ve had enough rest. Besides, I need to salvage my residency. I’ve been gone for months, Harper. They might not even want me back.” My brows furrow together in worry.

Harper scoffs. “I’ve told you time and again, all through your absence, your supervisor and everyone kept asking when you’d return from visiting your sick relative in Alaska.”

Of course, Harper has told me this many times, and honestly, I won’t put it past Ezra to have worked it, but that still doesn’t erase the fact that I’ve been absent for months, and without even notifying them in advance.

“You know, I won’t put it past your mafia boyfriend to have pulled strings. As a matter of fact, I am sure he did pull the strings cause there’s no way they would just accept any resident back from a sudden months-long absence!”

I roll my eyes before shooting her a pointed look. “Shut up and eat, Harper.”

We quickly finish our breakfast in silence before heading out. With the hospital just a few blocks away, Harper is pulling into the parking lot within the next few minutes.

We immediately part ways once we walk through the hospital doors. The familiar smell of antiseptic is both comforting and unsettling.

For some weird reason, I don’t feel nauseous because of the smell.

Walking down the hallways, I’m surrounded by the steady hum of the fluorescent lights, the murmur of voices, the sight of doctors, nurses and patients. I find myself standing in front of my supervisor, Dr. Well’s office. My heart pounds as I stare at his nameplate on the door, inhaling deeply before knocking.

“Come in,” I hear him say from inside.

I twist the door handle and step into my supervisor's office. He’s bent over his desk, working on a stack of papers with a frown on his face. When he glances up and sees me, his eyes widen in surprise. “Raven, good to see you again. How’s your uncle?”

I force a smile. “Much better, sir, thank you,” I steady my voice as best as I can.

“Good to hear. I heard it was so serious that an order was issued from above to vet your leave of absence.” His expression softens.

An order from above? This is definitely Ezra. I make a mental note to ask him about it as I smile back at Dr. Well, feeling lighter.

“You sure you’re ready to dive back in?” he asks, when I don’t respond.

“Definitely,” I reply, with a small smile.

He nods, his gaze assessing. “Awesome. Welcome back. Your colleagues will bring you up to speed.”

“Of course, sir.” I nod and step out of the office, relief washing over me.

I quickly head upstairs to the locker room to change into my scrubs. Examining my reflection in the locker’s mirror, I can’t help but laugh. It’s been weeks since I’ve seen myself in scrubs, and thankfully, it hides my slight bump.

The morning drags into the afternoon, occupied with consultations and attending to patients and small talks with other residents. It’s like I never left.

By the time lunch rolls around, I head to the cafeteria to meet Harper. She’s sitting at a table, already digging into her sandwich, while the other sandwich sits across from her. She lights up instantly and waves at me when she spots me.

The familiar feeling of guilt gnaws at my chest as I approach her. Maybe it’s time to confess about my pregnancy. The irrational fear of being judged, plus the absolute absurdity of suddenly popping out from a kidnap with a pregnancy, made me keep it from her. But not anymore. I’m ready. Harper wouldn’t judge me…

“Hey,” I greet her with a smile as I settle into the chair opposite her. “How was your day?” I unwrap my sandwich.

But what if she does judge me? What if she isn’t comfortable with her best friend carrying the child of a mafia don?

She starts to rant about her day as the tension builds inside my chest until it becomes too heavy. Suddenly, I blurt silently, “I’m pregnant, Harper. Two months.”

I don’t know what I expect to see on her face, but it’s not the instant softening of her eyes and the small smile on her face. “Finally,” she breathes.

“Uh?” I stare at her, confused.

She shakes her head before dropping her sandwich. “I know, Raven. You look fleshy, and you’re kind of bloated, but not in a bad way. I notice how you avoid wearing your usual crop tops around the house, which is unlike you.”

I watch her smile widen, and I instinctively raise a hand to scratch the back of my neck, embarrassment coating my cheeks. She’s known all this time?

“Not to mention the slight wrinkle of your nose when I’m frying eggs. I know you, Raven. You love eggs.”

So much for trying to hide it.

“But why didn’t you say anything?”

“You were grappling with leaving a man you clearly love. I didn’t want to bug you about a baby you’re probably even confused about.” Her smile drops and slowly, her hand finds mine on the table. “I wanted you to tell me in your own time.”

Tears burn my eyes as she brushes the back of my palm with her thumb. “I’m sorry, Harper. I just th–”

“Shh. It’s fine,” she interrupts me, with a smile. “I’m not mad at you. And if…you’re confused about the baby, I’m here for you.”

“Thank you, Harper.” My heart quakes at the softness in her voice.

She smiles. “I’m your best friend, always and forever.”

Warmth spreads through me, and I can’t help but smile back. Slowly, she rises from her seat and walks over to my side before pulling me in for a warm hug. I shut my eyes, melting into the embrace of my best friend.

As I do so, every worry in my brain seems to vanish, but there’s one that stays… like always…

I wonder if Ezra will choose me.