Page 14 of Bound to the EMT

CHAPTER 6

EMMELINE

“Have you finished your water?” My mother’s shrill voice cuts into the tranquil silence.

With a soft groan, I look over at the large bottle. “Yes, Mother.”

“Another.”

As if by magic, the bottle disappears, and another takes its place. My stomach churns as I eye it, not wanting to put another drop in my mouth. Even as I move about, I swear I’m sloshing.

“May I please take a break? I don’t want to get full and bloated before dinner.”

She turns and looks at me, her eyes narrowing. “Are you gaining weight?”

“N- No, Mother. Not that I’m aware.”

With an impatient sigh, she pushes the maid away and steps behind me, pulling the back of my dress together. “It barely fits you. You’ve always been slender enough to wear your clothes. Why is it not fitting?”

“Probably all the water you’re making me drink. I can’t possibly pee it all out.”

“Humor does not become you,” she hisses, snapping her finger at the maid. “Have her try another. This dress does not sit well on her.” When her gaze slides back over to me in the mirror, I repress the urge to shudder. “Are you saying it’s my fault?” she continues, her waspish voice buzzing in my ear. “You have emergency services create a ruckus on our front lawn and you think there would be no repercussions?”

“I’m sorry I-”

“As if you don’t have access to all the water your heart desires. How can you, an Astencourt, be dehydrated with depleted electrolytes? Such conditions are for poor people. Not people like us.”

The maid hands her another dress and backs away, keeping her face lowered to the ground. I don’t dare give her a sympathetic smile. Not where my mother can see it.

“Out of that dress. It is to be sent to the burn pile.”

“But Mother.”

“Do not ‘but Mother’ me. You will look presentable at all times. If the dress no longer flatters your figure, it does not need to remain in your closet. I warn you, continue to gain weight like this, and you’ll have nothing to wear. Then where will you be?”

I wrap my arms around my waist and smoosh this new dress hard against my abdomen. “I’m sure if I can just slow down on the water, I’ll fit in it again.”

Again, her eyes narrow, but this time, her gaze goes down to my stomach. “You’re pregnant. Aren’t you?”

“I- What?” Whirling around, I plant my hands on my hips. “Why would you even think such a thing?”

She inclines her head to the maid. “Leave us and call Doctor Jamie. Tell him to get here quickly.”

“Ma’am.” With a small bob, she races out of the room, the desperation to be free from my mother’s growing ire palpable in the air.

If only I could run away with her.

“You know my rules when it comes to men. So tell me, who is it? Who’s the bastard?”

“Please, Mother. There is no one.”

“Out of that gown. We will know the truth soon enough. Put on a night dress and lie down on the bed.”

“It really is the water,” I plead, needing to make her see reason. “You’ve had me drinking bottle after bottle. I’m nearly ill with it.”

“Ill? From water? I’ve never heard such a thing. Water can’t make you sick. I swear, if you’ve let some filthy, low born Alpha plant his seed in you, I’m casting you out of this house forever. Astencourts do not mix with commoners.”

“No one has even touched me. How can I be pregnant? I go to an all-girl school. I don’t stay out late with friends. You know where I am all the time.”