Trying not to look happy?
I couldn’t tell, but with this huge question mark and pressure of guessing his mood or reaction, I wasn’t comfortable taking the test right now.
“I… I want to know too,” I said honestly. I was anxious to know if I would be a mother. “But I’m not sure I can take the test yet.” I winced. “I just went, and I’ll need to drink some water and wait a while and…”
He nodded, stepping back to get dressed. “I understand.”
Do you?
You’re acting so boss-like. Aloof, almost.
But that was what he was. He was my boss. Nothing more. He hadn’t outright indicated that I was anything more than the woman he was sleeping with right now. That invitation to dinner last night had seemed like a hint of something more.
Now, I had no clue what to think.
Another wave of nausea came, and I escaped to the bathroom. He called out to me through the closed door, asking if I needed anything.
I need to know if you care! If you’re mad about me having your child. If you want a baby with me. If you wantmefor something more than sex!
“No. I’m okay, for now.”
All right.That’sa lie.I cringed.
“Please let me know if you decide to take the test before coming to the house.”
I bit my lip, afraid to face him.
If he was mad, would he try to get rid of the baby? Get rid of me? Would it be so bad to have a baby around here?
There werenochildren on the property, and that didn’t soothe my worries.
“Uh, actually, I might lie back down for a while,” I said. “My stomach is feeling worse.”
“Whatever you need, Elena. Whatever you feel like you need to do.”
I narrowed my eyes, picking apartthat. WhatIfelt like I needed to do? What a joke. I didn’t call the shots around here. I had no choices or right to decide things on my own. I was given to him, sold to him, and I was stuck obeying him.
Once it sounded like he’d left, I guzzled as much water as I could without creeping close to throwing it up. My nausea felt worse now, but that was likely due to the increased worry and dread about how he’d reacted. Or might react.
As soon as I could go to the bathroom, I ripped open the test and skimmed the instructions. Then as the urge to go built, I reread them again and again.
“How complex can this be?” I mumbled to myself as I prepared to get the stick out of the wrapper.
My fingers shook as I took the test. I laid the stick on a paper towel on the counter and washed my hands.
Breathe.
You will survive this.
Just breathe.
Calm down and take this one step at a —
“Oh, my God.” I turned just slightly while I washed my hands to see the test.
Pink lines already showed clearly.
Pregnant.
