Chapter 124: Heartbeat

"Of course, I’m her husband."

June, who had been avoiding his gaze from the moment she left her bedroom, turned her head sharply towards him.

"What? I don’t remember my name being on your marriage certificate."

Rauf sighed. "Come on, June. A paper doesn’t hold more value than living together for five years."

With that, she had no argument.

Dr. Ashley sat quietly, watching them both.

Seeing that there was nothing she could use to counter Rauf, June turned towards the doctor.

"He’s my baby’s daddy."

"And her husband," Rauf added.

June glared at him, but seeing that they were in the hospital and the doctor was watching them, she decided to let go of the topic for the moment.

Instead, she faced the doctor, and Rauf did too.

A small smile appeared on Dr. Ashley’s face, but she didn’t say anything regarding the topic.

She turned towards June.

"How do you feel today, Miss Trevor?"

June paused, then said, "I feel okay."

The doctor nodded. "Have you been feeling the baby kick recently? You should have started feeling it."

That brought a wide smile to June’s lips.

"Yes, of course. I have been feeling it, and it is the most amazing feeling ever."

For a brief moment, Dr. Ashley’s gaze moved to Rauf, and before the doctor could say a word, Rauf also nodded.

"I felt it too. My boy is going to be a great footballer."

The doctor chuckled. "Well, that’s good then, but how have you been feeling overall? Have you been eating well? Is there any unusual pain? Do you feel dizzy?"

June thought about it for a while.

"I think I have been great," she said confidently.

The appointment was going more smoothly than she had hoped, and that brought a sense of ease to her mind.

Then the doctor suddenly asked, "Have you been avoiding stress?"

Silence.

Rauf turned his gaze towards June.

She nodded as if she was trying to convince herself.

"Of course, Doctor. I have been resting well."

Rauf didn’t look away from her.

June turned and glared at him. "Don’t look at me like that."

For a brief moment, Dr. Ashley looked like she wanted to ask Rauf a question but decided against it.

"Well, Miss Trevor, I am going to take your word for it, but I would like to check the baby to make sure everything is okay."

June nodded.

She moved towards a small bed beside Dr. Ashley’s desk and lay on it.

Rauf also stood up and hovered over her like a shadow. He remained quiet as his gaze moved from Dr. Ashley to June, watching them carefully.

June exposed her stomach, and the doctor placed the fetal Doppler against it.

She moved it around, and at first, there was nothing.

Then suddenly, a rapid whooshing beat filled the room.

Rauf’s eyes widened.

"That’s your baby’s heartbeat," the doctor said.

Rauf’s eyes remained glued to June’s stomach.

He had no idea what he was supposed to do or say. It was hard to believe that this beautiful sound was coming from right inside her.

Without meaning to, he held her hand tightly.

For the first time, June didn’t push him away. Instead, she curled her fingers softly around his.

"That’s our baby," she said as a tear fell from her eye.

Rauf nodded.

"Yes, it’s our baby. This is the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard."

The doctor smiled at them both. She was used to expectant parents reacting like this when they heard their baby’s heartbeat.

"Well, Mr. Salvador, Miss Trevor, your baby is doing fine."

Before Rauf could stop himself, he asked, "Is he a boy?"

The doctor looked at June and smiled.

June chuckled, wiping the tears from her face as she sat up properly.

"Well, Mr. Salvador, you can have a scan to find out your baby’s sex, but it may still be a little early to determine it accurately. You may have to wait a little longer."

Rauf nodded, though he really didn’t care if it was a boy or a girl.

All that mattered was that the baby was okay and growing well.

Dr. Ashley gave June a few more instructions, reminding her to eat properly, get enough rest, and avoid unnecessary stress.

Rauf paid more attention to the instructions than June did. Anyone would have thought the doctor was addressing him.

June nodded obediently, but she could feel Rauf’s gaze on her.

She already knew what was coming.

"And Mr. Salvador, make sure she rests well."

Rauf nodded.

He wasn’t the type of man who took instructions from people, but he was willing not only to take these instructions but also to follow through with them.

The moment they stepped out of the doctor’s office, Rauf turned towards her.

"You lied to the doctor."

June stopped walking. "About what?"

"Resting."

"I do rest."

Rauf raised a brow.

June rolled her eyes and continued walking.

"Researching on my phone doesn’t count as stress."

"Finding out a Mafia clan has been watching you definitely counts as stress."

"That’s not my fault."

"I didn’t say it was."

June expected him to continue arguing, but instead, Rauf reached for her hand.

Her steps slowed.

She looked down at their joined hands before looking at him.

Rauf didn’t seem bothered by it.

"Come on. You need to eat."

"I’m not hungry."

"You are."

June frowned. "How would you know?"

"Because you’re always hungry."

June immediately pulled her hand away and hit his arm.

"Are you calling me a glutton?"

Rauf laughed. "I didn’t say that."

"You practically did."

They continued towards the car, and for the first time since learning that someone had been watching her, June felt the heaviness in her chest disappear.

Before she entered the car, Rauf looked at her.

"When is our next appointment?"

June paused.

Our.

Earlier, he had refused to acknowledge there was a we between them.

Now, he was saying our without even realizing it.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

"I’ll let you know."

Rauf nodded. "Good. I’m coming."

This time, June didn’t argue.