From a Wrong Turn to Mr. Right novel Chapter 252

Olivia Bennett grinned and absentmindedly rubbed her belly.

Yes.

This year, her family had grown, and she’d celebrated the most lively New Year’s Eve of her life.

Next year, she’d be holding her own child.

The two of them sat quietly, wrapped in each other’s arms, the silence between them warm and gentle.

No one knew how much time had passed.

Suddenly, a loud “boom” echoed from outside. Fireworks burst into brilliant colors across the winter sky, scattering sparkling lights over the neighborhood.

Olivia turned toward the window, her eyes wide with delight. “Look, fireworks!”

Ethan Carter smiled and leaned close, his breath warm in her ear. “Happy New Year, darling.”

“Happy New—” Olivia started, but then gasped softly.

Her eyes lit up with a smile as she looked at Ethan. “The baby’s saying Happy New Year, too.”

She grabbed Ethan’s hand and pressed it against her stomach.

As if on cue, the baby kicked, right beneath Ethan’s palm.

“See? That’s for you.”

Ethan chuckled, but then, feigning a little seriousness, said, “You still haven’t said it to me.”

Olivia blinked, then cupped his face and kissed him quickly. “Happy New Year, hubby.”

She’d gotten pretty good at calming Ethan down. A kiss from her, and ninety-nine percent of his worries just melted away.

Sure enough, Ethan’s expression softened. He gently pinched her chin and pressed his lips to hers.

———

New Year’s Day.

They’d stayed up late the night before, and Olivia didn’t wake until after ten.

“Happy New Year to you too, Beatty.”

Beatty eyed Olivia’s baby bump and whispered, “Is the baby still asleep?”

She’d asked before, and Olivia had always explained that the baby was just napping inside.

“That’s right,” Olivia nodded. “The baby’s not awake yet. When it’s time, you’ll get to meet them.”

Beatty’s voice grew even softer. “Then I’ll be extra quiet, so I don’t wake the baby…”

Olivia laughed. “Don’t worry, you won’t wake them.”

Beatty stared at Olivia’s belly with fascination.

While they chatted, the others started talking about playing a game—someone suggested poker, but they settled on a round of Scrabble. Ethan, Adelina Lane, Lance Carter, and Damian Franklin gathered at the table.

Lily George sat for a bit, then excused herself to the restroom.

As the sounds of laughter and the clacking of Scrabble tiles filled the room, Beatty’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Suddenly, as if she’d just remembered something, she fished around in her pocket and pulled out a little surprise, holding it out to Olivia with a conspiratorial grin.