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He nods. “I love what we do there, plus my parents gave their sweat and blood to get it to where it is. I would do anything to protect it. We all would.”
Without meaning to, Peter’s words pop into my mind.When did he propose, Ivy? Was it to protect the clinic?
What had Alec meant by that? I remember asking him, but he ignored my question. I hate that I’m beginning to question everything, including my own fiancé. I push the disturbing thoughts from my mind.
“What do I say then? Where did we meet?”
“Let’s say we were introduced by a mutual friend,” Alec says.
I still don’t understand why we have to do these interviews, but I suppose it’s publicity for the clinic.
We get to the radio station too fast. It’s nothing like I imagined. First, it’s in a nondescript building. Then there are not as many people working there as I thought. We are shown inside the studio by a receptionist. Alec goes straight to a painfully thin blonde woman, and they exchange a hug. Then he beckons me and introduces me to Liz.
“Everyone is very eager to meet the fiancée of one of the most eligible bachelors in town,” she says, her gaze shrewdly dropping to my belly. “Congratulations; when is the baby due?”
Before I can answer, she laughs. “Look at me beginning the interview off-air.” She shows us to two chairs next to each other, with microphones above them. Then someone hands us headsets. She gives us a thumbs up, and just like that, the show is live.
Despite my nervousness, I notice that she’s got a really nice voice. She introduces Alec, who she says everyone knows, and then she mentions a special guest. Alec’s fiancée.
I try to relax and smile as much as I can, even if the listeners can’t see me.
She asks innocent questions at first, including when the baby is due. Then she goes to the question I’m dreading the most. How did we meet?
Alec smoothly answers. He gives such a detailed answer that I would have believed him if I hadn’t been there. This side of him where he can lie so comfortably makes me queasy. He doesn’t seem to think there’s anything wrong with lying as long as the clinic is protected. I’m not sure whether to feel admiration for his devotion to the clinic or worried about the lengths Alec would obviously go to for it.
Alec handles all the difficult questions, and to my relief, the interview with Liz is over. The only thing remaining is a few questions from the listeners.
The first question is from an older woman, judging from her voice. “Honey, I have a question for you. You’re pregnant, don’t have a steady career, and are getting married to a wealthy man. From where I am standing, that doesn’t sound like love to me. It sounds like winning the lottery.” Her laugh fills the studio.
I’m too stunned to respond until Liz prompts me. “Do you want to answer that, Ivy?”
“Sure. First of all, that came as a shock. I never thought anyone would ever accuse me of using Alec. All I’ll say is that I’m not that person. I’m not driven by material things. Never have been and never will.” My voice is cheerful, but there’s a pain in my chest. I feel small. Is that what everyone is thinking? That I’m getting married to Alec for his money?
A male caller is next, and thankfully, his question is for Alec. His voice is muffled, but it sounds awfully familiar. My blood turns to ice when the question comes. He sounds like Peter.
“Rumor has it that The Anderson Fertility Clinic messed up a surrogacy case and implanted a woman with the wrong sperm. What do you have to say about that?”
Alec’s face pales, but he’s a good actor, and he smiles as though the question is the most ridiculous thing he has ever heard. “I don’t know where you get your information Mister, but the Anderson Clinic is one of the most reputable clinics in the state.”
The caller, whom I’m ninety percent sure is Peter, tries to ask another question, but the host cuts him off. I let out a breath of relief. The question-and-answer session is soon over, and the show comes to an end.
Alec is stewing as we leave the studio.
“Is it that last question that’s upset you so much?” I ask him.
“Yes. Someone obviously knows about what happened. It frightens me.”
I feel bad for him. I’m tempted to tell him my suspicions, but that will worsen things. I want to deal with Peter myself.
“Please drop me off at home; I have some work I need to finish,” I tell Alec when we enter the car.
He looks so disappointed, but he quickly wipes it off his face. “Sure.”
The ride to my place is oddly uncomfortable. We are both preoccupied with our own problems. My thoughts are on Peter and what I’m going to say to him.
When we get home, I give Alec a quick kiss on the cheek and tell him goodnight. I give him a final wave and enter the house. Peter is watching TV.
“Hi,” I say.
