The Billionaire's Ultimatum (Book 1)

Chapter 12

Loving and losing: different by one letter and a million degrees of pain- Jessica Katoff

Katy's POV.

The following morning I awoke to a still empty bed. I felt my heart sunk lower into my chest as a dull ache settled within me. Ethan hadn't returned home as his cold spot on the bed stared at me in immaculate tidiness.

Before my thoughts could have conjured their own dark exploration my stomach roiled as I rushed out of bed. My morning sickness was by far worse this morning and he wasn't here. What if this was how my future was to be unfold?

I felt his absence consume me like the weight of a thousand brinks on my chest as doubt plagued my mind. Blinking away the tears I washed up then made my way down to the kitchen surprised to see a maid emptying platters onto the countertop.

"Good morning madam." A young maid greeted happily in an Irish accent, "I trust that you slept well, Master Hart called in and requested breakfast be sent for you. I hope you are feeling better this morning."

Murmuring my thank you in response the maid soon left after a quick tidy. I was torn between feeling a sense of gratitude that Ethan remembered me or feeling disappointment that I have not heard from him since last night when he had left for the party. It had only proven to remind me of the stark reality that I was in. He didn't owe me anything. He didn't know about the baby and someone like him would never want to be tied down forever with such a huge responsibility. With a heavy heart I forced some breakfast into my empty stomach and drank some more of the warm lemon tea thankful that Ethan had at least remembered something.

It was almost midday by the time I had showered and lounged around busying myself but Ethan had still not returned home and I have not heard from him. Worry cramped my being so without thinking twice I picked up the phone and tried his number. Listening attentively I heard the call ring a couple times on the other line before someone picked up..

"Hello..." I started of saying relieved to hear his voice right after he cut me off.

"Katy I cannot speak right now." And with that he ended the call leaving me staring blankly at the dark screen.

Was this the moment I have been waiting for?

The moment when my heart would completely shatter.

His dismissal tone cut through my heart. I had not realized that I was crying until a sob made its way past my bitter throat. The cruel taste of pain refused to leave my mouth as I cried deep into the pillows of my old room that was given to me it had seemed like a lifetime ago. It was after all where I had belonged. He had put me there. As his guest. An act of kindness for a woman who was homeless and jobless.

Have I fooled myself into thinking I could have shared his bed forever?

Drawing the curtains blocking away the bright lights and skyscraping architecture I couldn't help but give myself a reminder that the time spent with him was nothing more than a fantasy as the holes of reality started to make itself known. It was Ethan's empire and I was just his guest. Why would he leave a lavish party to nurse his mistress for that was who I became to him. I may have shared his bed but I would never share his heart irrespective of what whoever tells me. He was always upfront about his feelings and actions. Love and lust was never the same. I loved him but all he did in return was lust after me. It was I who lied to my-self into thinking and believing differently. The saying 'as you make your bed so you shall lie' came to me. As I thought of my mother's reaction guilt and shame settled into the deep pits of my stomach. My mother may not have blessed me with ridiculously expensive gifts but she blessed me values, love and dignity. I felt like I had disappointed her. I was pregnant and living for free with a man who did not believe in love and marriage. He did not want the happily ever after that ended many fairytale stories my mother had recited to me as a child. The same stories I would soon be reciting to my child. He was a prince who ruled his castle alone. I could cry no more. My face sticky with tears I closed my tired swollen eye lids and fell into a restless sleep. Hours later when I arose from my slumber I immediately felt the presence of another person's weight on the bed. Turning my head slowly I saw Ethan sprawled out snoring softly still fully dressed atop the covers. Switching the bedside lamp on, the dim light illuminated the room as I recognized that he was in a pair of fresh denims and a grey cotton t-shirt. A quick glance at the clock showed it was just after 6 in the evening. Sleeping through lunch caused my stomach to violently rumble as bile made its way into my throat. In the nick of a moment I rushed out of bed making my way to the sink just in time. A few dry heaves later and deep breaths I washed up before reentering my bedroom to find a now awake Ethan stretched lazily on the bed. For a moment I forgot how heartbroken I was and instead took time to admire his beautiful rumpled body. His hair was a mess giving him a cute boyish look that contrasted with his stubble rugged face. His t-shirt had rolled up halfway exposing his washboard abs and his denims hung low enough offering a full view of his indented V line. He was mouth wateringly attractive and he knew it judging by the huge grin that was plastered across his face. I blamed my hunger for him on the pregnancy hormones despite everything.

"You can always join me on the bed sweet." He said to me grinning handsomely, his voice roughened with the traces of sleep.

He was imperfectly perfect just the sight of him caused an ache in my heart. And just like that it was as if a bucket of cold water had been splashed on me as I remembered my earlier breakdown. Pasting a smile onto my face I attempted to make my way out the door before he swiftly rose and pulled me into his arms. One strong arm banded around my waist trapping both my hands whilst his other hand tugged my chin up meeting his eyes that flared with heat. His mouth turned into a grim line as he stared down at me.

"What's wrong?" He patiently asked trying to gauge my mood as he awaited my response.

"Why did you not return home last night?" I blurted out unable to help the question that niggled my mind.

My face heated at my bluntness. I must have sounded like such a nagging wife to him.

Keeping my gaze he showed no surprise by my question, "Katy I...I had too much to drink. I passed out in my old bedroom and my mother insisted that I had stayed over for breakfast. The first thing I did this morning was have breakfast sent up for you. I'm sorry for cutting you off but I was in the middle of an impromptu meeting. I called your cellphone a couple times after but you never answered so as soon as I could I left and came home only to find you in here after frantically searching the entire suite."

Swallowing down my emotions I tried to respond through my tear clogged throat, "I...I didn't mean to pry." I told him, "I got worried when you..."

"I know." He said enveloping me in to a tight embrace as he rubbed his chin soothingly on my hair, "I never meant to worry you like that especially when you are so ill.....are you better now?"

Deciding to hold off on the news I nodded brightly at him as we both hand in hand made our way out to a quiet dinner at an intimate restaurant a few blocks away from the hotel. Ethan surprised me when we both walked into the cozy looking place. I always assumed that he only ate at 5 star restaurants but on seeing my reaction he promised that the food was one of a kind.

After dinner which had proven to be everything Ethan had promised that it would be, we made our way back home casually strolling through the street just as a little girl dressed in pink leggings and matching sweater ran towards us grinning gleefully in the darkening night. Letting go of Ethan's hand on instinct I squatted down as the child ran into my arms squealing and giggling as her parents tried catching up with her. She must have been about 2 years of age and enjoying every moment of it. Her chubby cheeks puffed as she breathed in heavily from her short sprint as her blond curls framed her face adorably. A warm feeling surged through my body as I imagined my child in my arms one day.

"Katy there you are!" The child's mother said in exasperation as the toddler grinned up at her, "Thank you miss for catching her. She's very speedy."

"Are you Katy?" I cooed at the toddler as she giggled, "My name is Katy also." I said in a loud whisper as I looked at her comical expression as she stared back at me in wonderment with cornflower bright eyes.

Opening her little mouth she gasped at me before babbling something I could not have understood as I smiled down at her.

"You would make a great mum someday." Her mother said to me, "Hopefully your little ones are much calmer."

Her compliment made me blush as I sneaked a look at Ethan. His passive face was unreadable as he stared down at me still squatted on the ground with the child in my arms.

"Thank you." I responded as I hugged the little girl before bidding her goodbye.

The rest of the walk continued with silence it had bothered me that Ethan had said nothing since our mini interaction on the street.

"Do you want children someday?" I dared asking breaking the silence of the quiet night.

Pausing our walk his gaze flickered to me before we continued on, "No."

One word.

Two letters.

But it delivered the final blow.

A/N: HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!! What a chapter aye! Just what will be Ethan's reaction when he finds out? Stay tuned loves and as always VOTE, COMMENT and be sure to check out 'The Billionaire's Match' 'The Billionaire's Arranged Wife' and 'The Billionaire's Christmas Revenge' available on my page. 

Happy reading loves...

oxoxox...Allison :)