Sweet Hatred-Chapter 455: Checkup

ARIA

The doctor’s office was nothing like I’d expected.

Private. High-end. More like a luxury spa than a medical facility, with soft lighting, plush chairs, and classical music playing quietly in the background.

Kael had made the appointment at some exclusive practice that probably cost more than most people’s rent.

But I wasn’t complaining.

Dr. Kamara was a woman in her fifties with kind eyes and a calm, reassuring presence that immediately put me at ease.

"Ms. Thorne," she greeted, shaking my hand warmly before turning to Kael. "Mr. Roman. It’s good to meet you both."

Kael stayed by my side as we moved into the examination room... his hand finding mine, fingers lacing together. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

He hadn’t let go since we’d arrived.

Dr. Kamara asked the standard questions first: when was my last period, had I been experiencing any symptoms, was this my first pregnancy.

I answered honestly, telling her about the nausea, the exhaustion, the tenderness.

She nodded, making notes on her tablet.

"All very normal for early pregnancy," she assured me. "Let’s get some baseline measurements."

She took my weight first... I’d lost a few pounds, probably from the stress and nausea, then moved on to blood pressure.

The cuff tightened around my arm, releasing slowly.

Dr. Kamara frowned slightly at the reading.

My stomach dropped.

"What is it?" I asked immediately.

"Your blood pressure is elevated," she said carefully. "Not dangerously so, but higher than I’d like to see at this stage."

Kael’s grip on my hand tightened.

"What does that mean?" he asked, his voice controlled but tense.

"It means we need to monitor it," Dr. Kamara said, turning to me. "Have you been under a lot of stress recently?"

I almost laughed.

Stress.

That was putting it mildly.

"You could say that," I managed.

"I thought so." She set the blood pressure cuff aside and sat down, facing us both. "Aria, stress can significantly impact your pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Elevated blood pressure can lead to complications if not managed properly."

My chest tightened with a different kind of anxiety now.

"What kind of complications?"

"Let’s not get ahead of ourselves," she said gently. "Right now, it’s manageable with lifestyle changes. Proper nutrition, adequate rest, and most importantly... reducing stress."

Easier said than done.

"I’ll take care of it," Kael said immediately, his voice firm. "Whatever she needs."

Dr. Kamara smiled at him. "Good. She’ll need your support." She turned back to me. "I’m also going to prescribe some prenatal vitamins. The nausea may return... every pregnancy is different, so let me know if it becomes severe."

I nodded, trying to absorb everything.

"When can we do an ultrasound?" Kael asked.

"Around eight to ten weeks," Dr. Kamara said. "Right now, it’s still very early. But we’ll schedule you for a follow-up in two weeks, and we can assess then whether we’re ready for imaging."

Two weeks.

It felt like forever.

"Any questions?" Dr. Kamara asked.

I had a thousand, but they all jumbled together in my head.

"Just... is everything okay?" I finally asked. "With the baby?"

Her expression softened. "Based on everything you’ve told me and the examination, yes. Your symptoms are consistent with a healthy early pregnancy. The elevated blood pressure is something we’ll monitor, but it’s not unusual given what you’ve been through."

I exhaled slowly, some of the tension leaving my shoulders.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

"You’re welcome." She stood, handing me a folder with information and prescriptions. "Take care of yourself, Aria. And don’t hesitate to call if you have any concerns."

---

We left the doctor’s office and headed straight to the hospital.

Kael wanted to check on his father... get an update from the doctors about Ewan’s condition.

The hospital was busier than the private clinic, filled with the usual chaos of people moving through corridors, the intercom crackling with announcements, the faint smell of antiseptic hanging in the air.

I’d always hated hospitals.

Too many memories of visiting my mother when she’d been sick.

Too many hours spent in waiting rooms, hoping for good news that rarely came.

"You okay?" Kael asked as we walked toward the ICU.

"Yeah," I lied. "Just... hospitals."

He squeezed my hand. "I won’t be long. You can wait in the family lounge, it’s quieter there."

I nodded, grateful not to be in the sterile, oppressive environment of the ICU itself.

He led me to a small, private waiting area with comfortable chairs and a window overlooking the city.

"I’ll be back soon," he said, kissing my forehead. "Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

He left, and I sank into one of the chairs, pulling my coat tighter around myself.

The lounge was quiet... empty except for me.

I should have felt relieved.

Instead, I felt exposed.

I tried to distract myself, pulling out my phone and scrolling through messages.

Olivia had sent more pictures of Kaleb’s birthday drawing.

Ash had texted a string of emojis and threats about what she’d do if I didn’t enjoy tonight’s surprise.

I smiled despite myself.

But then the feeling started.

Subtle at first. A prickling awareness at the back of my neck. The sense that someone was watching me.

I looked up, scanning the lounge.

Empty.

I turned slightly, glancing toward the hallway through the glass door.

A few nurses walked past. An elderly couple shuffling slowly. A doctor with a clipboard.

Nothing unusual.

But the feeling didn’t go away.

My skin crawled, goosebumps rising on my arms.

I told myself I was being paranoid.

The doctor had just told me to reduce stress, and here I was, working myself into a panic over nothing.

It’s just nerves, I thought firmly. You’re tired. Stressed. Your mind is playing tricks on you.

I forced myself to take slow, deep breaths.

In through my nose. Out through my mouth.

The techniques the therapist I’d seen years ago had taught me.

Gradually, the feeling faded.

Or maybe I just convinced myself it had.

Either way, by the time Kael returned fifteen minutes later, I’d managed to calm down.

"Hey," he said, sitting beside me. "Sorry that took so long."

"It’s fine. How is he?"

His expression was carefully neutral, but I could see the hope underneath.

"Better. The doctors said his brain activity is showing improvement. He’s still in the coma, but they’re optimistic."

Relief flooded through me. "That’s good. That’s really good."

"Yeah." He studied my face. "You look tense. Is something wrong?"

"Nothing," I said quickly. Too quickly.

His eyes narrowed. "Aria."

"I’m fine. Just tired."

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push.

Instead, he pulled me against his side, his arm wrapping around my shoulders.

"Let’s get out of here," he murmured. "Go look at houses."

I nodded, leaning into his warmth.

But as we stood and walked toward the exit out into the car park, I couldn’t shake the lingering unease.

The feeling that someone had been watching me.

That somewhere in this hospital, hidden among the patients and visitors and staff, eyes had been trained on me.

Studying. Waiting.

I told myself I was imagining it.

I wanted to believe I was imagining it.

But deep down, in the part of me that had learned to trust my instincts, I knew better.

Something was wrong.

I just didn’t know what yet.

---

Kael’s hand was warm and solid in mine as we left the hospital.

The storm had finally cleared, leaving the city blanketed in fresh snow that sparkled under the afternoon sun.

It should have felt peaceful.

Beautiful, even.

But I still couldn’t shake the chill that had nothing to do with the temperature.

"You’re sure you’re okay?" Kael asked again as we reached the car.

I forced a smile. "I’m sure. Let’s go look at houses."

He searched my face for another moment, then nodded.

But I could see the worry in his eyes.

The protectiveness that had only intensified since he’d learned about the baby.

I’d tell him eventually.

About the feeling. The fear.

But not today.

Today was supposed to be about celebrating. About looking forward to our future.

Not dwelling on shadows that might not even be real.

So I pushed the unease down deep, buried it beneath forced optimism and determination.

And I let Kael drive us toward something hopeful.

Even as the feeling of being watched lingered like a ghost in the back of my mind.