Two Ultrasound Receipts And A Billion-Dollar Divorce Trap

"The gel is going to be cold, Clara," Dr. Evans warned, squeezing a clear dollop onto my lower abdomen.

"I'm ready," I replied, staring up at the blank monitor.

Beside the examination table, Julian shifted his weight. He checked his watch, the gold band catching the harsh fluorescent light. "Shouldn't there be a picture by now?"

"Give the machine a second, Mr. Thorne," Dr. Evans said, her tone perfectly even. "It takes a moment to focus."

"Right. Sorry. Today is just packed." Julian tapped his thumb against the side of his thigh.

I reached out and grabbed his wrist. "Julian, put the phone away. Please. Just for this."

"I'm just checking my emails, Clara. I'm right here." He shoved his main phone into his jacket pocket and offered me a practiced, reassuring smile. "I wouldn't miss this."

Dr. Evans moved the wand across my skin. Static filled the small room, followed by a rhythmic, rapid thumping sound.

"There we go," Dr. Evans said. She pointed a pen at the screen. "Do you see that small shape right in the center?"

I squinted at the gray fuzz. "Is that the baby?"

"That is baby A," Dr. Evans corrected.

I blinked. "Baby A?"

Julian leaned closer to the monitor. "What do you mean, Baby A? Is there a backup?"

"Look slightly to the left." Dr. Evans adjusted the wand, pressing a little firmer into my stomach. "See that second shadow? And watch the flutter right in the middle of it."

My chest tightened. "Oh my god."

"Congratulations, Clara," Dr. Evans smiled. "You're having twins."

Julian took a step back. "Twins. Are you sure?"

"Two heartbeats," Dr. Evans confirmed. "I'm very sure."

Before Julian could say another word, a sharp ringtone cut through the quiet hum of the clinic. He pulled his phone from his pocket, his brow furrowing instantly.

"I have to take this," he announced.

"Now?" I asked, my voice rising. "Julian, we just found out we're having two babies."

"It's the Tokyo office. They only call if the supply chain breaks." He patted his pockets, pulling out his keys, his wallet, and a sleek black smartphone. He dropped the items onto the metal medical tray next to the ultrasound machine. "I'll be right in the hallway. Five minutes. I promise."

"Julian—"

The door clicked shut behind him.

"Husbands tend to get a little overwhelmed at the word 'twins'," Dr. Evans offered gently. "Give him a moment."

"He's always working," I murmured, staring at the closed door.

A sharp vibration rattled the metal tray.

The sleek black phone lit up.

I frowned. Julian only had one phone. His company issued everything on a single device.

The screen glowed brightly in the dim room, displaying a lock screen notification. The text was large, impossible to miss.

*Mia: I'm in 4B on the same floor, doctor says the baby is healthy.*

A second message bubbled up immediately after. An image file. A black-and-white sonogram photo loaded onto the screen, showcasing a perfectly formed,