Pregnancy

-You'll never lay a finger on me again! - I said, fighting back tears, but proud that my voice hadn't weakened.

- You don't know me at all! - His expression remains callous and indifferent. He clicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth. - You have no idea what I've already done for much less. - His jaw throbbed with fury. - I'm capable of anything to get rid of a stone in my path.

So there he is. Luck, held my face tightly, causing my mouth to form an involuntary peck.

- Don't touch me! - I remove his hand from my face. Moving again would leave me scarred.

I can feel the heat and fury pouring off him in waves as he stares at me, breathing heavily, his teeth bared in a snarl, his blue eyes almost completely black.

- Don't fucking test my patience. I'm not taking over this child! I have no guarantee that this child is mine, and even if I did, I can't have a child right now. -Your whole body is vibrating with rage. - I don't even like them!

My stomach turns at his words.

- I don't want this thing, and I'm sure you don't either. Find a clinic and sort it out. Not that I think it's mine, really. A virgin doesn't act like you did that night, in fact, I honestly don't even remember, but if there's one thing I do remember, it's that it's impossible for me to fuck a woman who looks unwell, innocent or a virgin.

I sincerely ignore everything he says about me and focus only on my baby.

"That thing" he just called my baby "thing"

I stand with my fists clenched at my sides, my heart beating violently against my chest. Something inside me snapped. If I had to choose a moment when I knew my life would be different from then on - when I knew I would be different - it would be this one.

It was my fault, my fault for believing him, for falling in love with my enemy, for really believing that he would ever love me. Now I was pregnant and alone.

- I hate you. - My voice is not a whisper. - If you think you'll ever be able to go back on that decision, you're sorely mistaken. You can shove that money up your ass, you son of a bitch. - I say it with all the strength I have in me.

His jaw tightened and he looked like he wanted to break my neck, just like the first time. But now something flashed in his eyes, something different. He was uncertain of the accusations he'd made against me, and worst of all. He knew I was serious. He knew I'd never go back.

I took an Uber. I didn't ask Matthew to take me, I didn't want him to pick me up either. He was a good person, but I couldn't forget that he worked for Madeleine. And if she asked, he would undoubtedly answer, and I didn't need her to create a thousand suspicions. I wasn't going to hide it, in fact I didn't know what I was going to do, but crying was no longer in the plans. I climbed into the uber, still shaking from my attempt to talk to Luck. My eyes insisted on involuntarily filling with water every time I thought about how screwed I was.

The car stopped in front of my house and I got in quickly. The house was silent, which was quite normal, but I was surprised not to see Summer. I walked through the rooms and found Madeleine, for the first time in three days, sitting in the armchair in the living room in front of the fireplace, with her back to me and only the tip of her head visible. His hands were relaxed and resting on the arm of the seat, holding a glass of bourbon. I thought about running up the stairs, I didn't want her to see me and ask me all sorts of questions. When I turned around, I was startled to see Vivian.

-Vivian, what a fright! - I put my hand on her chest and she silently pulled me into the hallway.

Vivian lowered her gaze and then whispered, shaking her head in the negative. - I'm sorry, Nicole.

It's all right. In a way, you were right. - I gave her an awkward smile, and she smiled back.

- It's not your fault. - She sighed regretfully. - But at the moment, that's not what this is about.

- In a way, you were right. What? - I said, almost hitting her.

- Matthew brought me, his mother sent for me. Apparently, Summer found your tests.

I smiled at her instantly.

- But he's here with me. - I showed her my hand with the brown envelope. Vivian nodded

- Yes, this one is with you, but your blood test.

I felt as if my blood had been drained from my face, or I'd simply been through too many emotions for one day. I was shaking, in a cold sweat! What the hell was she doing going through my things?

Vivian called my name louder than usual to snap me out of my trance, worried.

- Nicole! You're pale, you need to calm down! I didn't say anything, I said you hadn't said anything to me or Alice, but I'm sure she knows, she didn't buy my lie. Summer was helping to pack her things and saw the envelope, but didn't open it, just gave it to her mother, who saw the result and called me. I couldn't react. She screamed a lot, but I didn't say anything, I swear! - Vivian crossed her fingers like a promise and kissed them. - Sacred, secret.

- Aha! - I jumped up and looked back after Summer snorted. - Your mother wants to talk to you alone.

I looked at her with my big, surprised eyes, my breath panting, my hands trembling and my heart almost pounding. - I'll be right there.

She smiled sweetly and added. - You must hurry, she's not in a good mood.

Vivian held my hand tightly, as if she wasn't going to leave me alone. I reciprocated her touch, holding her hand tightly. We walked back down the corridor and into the living room, where Madeleine was still the same. The only thing different was the empty bourbon glass.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Vivian, but she's waiting for Nicole alone. If you want, you can wait in the living room or even in the kitchen with me. I'm preparing some tea.