He took it cautiously, staring down at the image with visible disbelief.
And just like that, the voices came rushing into my head all at once, crawling over each other so loudly it almost made my temples ache.
Maybe you should’ve kept that news to yourself a little bit longer.
He’s not pleased.
He thinks you’re unfit already.
He’s silently judging you.
My smile faltered slightly under the weight of those thoughts.
“How… how far along?” he asked finally, his voice noticeably shakier than before.
“Eight weeks.”
Dr. Loomis’s expression transformed into a blend of surprise and trepidation shadowing his features.
“Dr. Loomis, you don’t seem too happy by my news.”
“No, no,” he corrected quickly, almost defensively, as he returned the ultrasound to me. “Any time someone is bringing a new life into the world, it’s a joyous occasion. I’m simply…” He faltered, carefully choosing his words. “Curioushow this happened so soon considering your release was just over two months ago.”
The voices rose in volume again, loud, and insistent.
He thinks you trapped somebody.
He’s scared.
He regrets signing off on those release papers.
“Haelyn, I don’t mean to pry,” he added, his tone a mixture of concern and caution, “but is the father someone you knewbeforeWillowgate?”
The father is Jace, Dr. Loomis! What type of girl do you take me for?! Jace is the only man I’ve ever truly loved, and the only man I’d willingly open my legs for.
But, of course, I couldn’t voice those thoughts tohim. So, with the smooth facade of a practiced liar, I smiled softly and deflected.
“Actually, yes,” I said, weaving my false narrative. “He used to have a crush on me while I was dating Jace. I never entertained it because I was loyal. But… I’ve been away for almost ten years. No sex. No affection. No freedom. We happened to bump into each other after I got out, and…” I gently rubbed my stomach, letting it serve as both a shield and a symbol of my new beginnings. “One thing kind of led to another.”
Dr. Loomis’s brow furrowed as he absorbed my words, nodding slowly. “Well… I’m happy for you,” he said, though his voice lacked conviction.
A voice in my head sneered at his polite facade.
Liar.
He’s terrified.
I straightened my posture, struggling to drown out the tumult in my mind.
“Thank you,” I replied, attempting to sound sincere. “Honestly, I never thought I’d get to experience this. There were times in Willowgate when I genuinely believed I might never see the outside world permanently again.”
My hand gravitated to my stomach once more, a habitual comfort.
Dr. Loomis seemed to soften momentarily but then his eyes widened in sudden realization. “Oh God!”
I blinked in confusion. “What?!”
“Your medication… are you still taking it?” he asked, panic creeping into his voice.
