Ruin Me Slowly

Chapter 21

Jane POV

I sat in the passenger seat of Carter’s car, nervously twisting the ring on my finger.

We were driving to his parents’ house. His real family home. Where he grew up. The place where I was about to walk into as Jane Ellis, the pregnant fiancée.

God help me.

I’d told him earlier what happened with my father at the diner—how Richard Ellis showed up out of nowhere, hugged me while the paparazzi snapped away, and whispered that awful threat in my ear. I expected Carter to freak out, to be mad or disgusted.

But he wasn’t.

He just listened. He held my hand and said, “That’s not your fault, Jane. That’s on him.”

That was Carter. Not at all the cold-hearted rich boy I’d heard about. Not the arrogant heir my father used to call “the spoiled King brat.”

No, Carter King showed up this evening with flowers. A full bouquet of white lilies, my favorite.

“I googled it,” he admitted. “Wanted to know what pregnant women like.”

It made me laugh. It made me melt.

Even though this engagement came out of nowhere, even though it started as a cover-up, I couldn’t deny it—there was a spark. And it wasn’t just from the baby.

He was… sweet.

Funny.

The kind of guy I could talk to without trying too hard. The kind of guy who made a girl want to believe in second chances.

I looked over at him now, one hand on the wheel, the other resting near the console.

“I should warn you,” I said, “I suck at formal dinners.”

He grinned. “Great. My mom loves that.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I,” he smirked. “She’s used to chaos. I once broke a wine glass at the table because I tried to juggle the dinner rolls.”

I laughed, easing a little. “You juggled at the table?”

“I was twelve. It was a talent show warm-up.”

I rolled my eyes. “Wow. You were that kid.”

“Proudly.”

There was a pause.

And then I decided to say it.

“Oh—by the way, I went to get an ultrasound today,” I added casually. “We’re having twins.”

The car swerved just slightly.

Carter turned to me, stunned. “I’m sorry—what?!”

“Twins,” I repeated. “Found out this afternoon at the ultrasound.”

His jaw dropped.

“Like, two babies?” he asked slowly. “At the same time?”

“Yes, Carter. That’s how twins work.”

He blinked. “Holy. Shit.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his face. “You okay?”

“I mean, no—but also yes? Two babies? I didn’t even know I could make two babies at once.”

“You’re clearly very talented.”

We both laughed.

We pulled up to the King family estate, and my breath hitched.

It was beautiful.

Not in the flashy, fake way my father’s mansion had been. This one had character. Green ivy climbing the white walls, a stone path lined with fresh flowers, and windows that made you want to peek inside and see if the kitchen smelled like cookies.

Carter parked and stepped out, walking around to open my door. “You ready?”

“Not even a little.”

“Perfect. Let’s go.”

I took his hand and stepped out.

We walked up the path, and the door opened before we even knocked.

Mr. and Mrs. King stood there.

His mother looked elegant, with soft curls pinned at the back of her head and a navy-blue dress that fit like it was made for her. His father had silver at his temples and the kind of stare that made you want to stand up straighter.

“Hi,” I said nervously. “I’m—”

“Jane,” his mother said. “Yes. We’ve heard… a lot about you.”

“Mom,” Carter said, slightly warning.

“It’s fine,” I whispered to him. Then I looked at her and added, “I understand. Really.”

She nodded, lips pursed but polite. “Well, come in. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Inside, the house smelled like roasted garlic and butter. The table was already set. It felt warm, even if their smiles weren’t.

We sat at the table, and for a while, it was quiet—forks on plates, a few small comments about the food. Carter tried to carry the conversation, throwing in a few jokes that earned small chuckles from his dad.

But the tension? It was heavy.

I found myself sitting beside Mrs. King, who eventually turned to me with a delicate smile.

“So, Jane… do you cook?”

“Some,” I replied. “Mostly pasta or rice dishes. Nothing too fancy.”

“That’s good,” she said. “You’ll need to keep your energy up. Especially with a child.”

“Children,” I corrected gently.

She blinked. “Excuse me?”

“We’re having twins,” I said softly.

She went still for a moment, then nodded. “Well. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

And just as I thought maybe—just maybe—we were moving past awkward…

The front door slammed. Footsteps. Heels on hardwood. “I cannot believe this is actually happening.”

My heart stopped.

Rosie had arrived.