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All I know is that I want to hurt Brandon Stawarski as much as he hurt me.
I barely notice the hush that falls over the office for the second time. But then, the silence is deafening. When I look up, all my co-workers are staring at me unabashedly.
“Um…honey?”
I look over at Danielle. She looks more concerned than I’ve ever seen her.
“Why don’t you check the link I just sent you?”
I stare at her, willing her to say more. But she drops down into her seat, the cubicle wall obscuring her from my view. I click the link in my inbox.
It’s an article from another magazine. There’s a picture of me speaking to Brandon at the rally only a week ago.
GEORGINA HARRIS, THE REAL HYPOCRITE? WRITER HAILED FOR CRITICISM, NOW PREGNANT BY BRANDON STAWARSKI
My body begins to shake uncontrollably as I bolt from my seat and rush back to the bathroom once again. I was mistaken to believe that I was akin to one of Brandon Stawarski's previous conquests. He had succeeded in causing them to forfeit their credibility or their livelihoods. I, on the other hand, am destined to lose both, as well as everything I have ever known about my existence.
My situation is far worse than theirs ever was.
CHAPTER18
BRAN
“Talk about divine retribution.”
I force my fists to unclench, slapping my palm on the table. If Theo was notmy twin brother, I’d be over my desk and strangling him in a second.
But he is, and I contain my anger as he strides into my office and plops himself on the couch in front of me.
“Who would have thought?” he says, obviously struggling to hold back a smirk as he whips out his phone and shoves it toward me. “I have no idea who thiswriter is or even what magazine this is, butI’m tempted to pledge a donation to them.”
I scowl at him. “I’d hold off on that,” I say. “Unless you want your niece or nephew to despise you before they are even born.”
Theo stares at me, looking more shocked than I’ve ever seen him all his life.
“What?” he says. “Is this…true?”
A gnawing sensation grips my stomach as I recline, barely comprehending his inquiry. All I can ponder is the fact that I just alluded to the developing blueberry in Gigi's womb as a person, capable of experiencing human emotions.
The feeling spreads through my body. Even the fact that the news had been leaked did not torment me as much as it ordinarily would have.
I have a child on the way.Wehave a child on the way.
I close my eyes, memories of my childhood flooding my mind. Theo and I had a relatively comfortable upbringing, thanks to our parents, who encouraged us to pursue our interests. We had both devoted our entire lives to our careers and making a name for ourselves. Neither of us ever felt the need to start a family to feel fulfilled at any point in our lives.
I’d always entertained the possibility that this could happen, that I would get a woman pregnant. I’d had it all worked out. I would give her as much financial support as she needed, and nothing more. I’d been certain I did not ever want to end up parenting a child.
But now that it has happened, the thought of bringing up a child,my child,doesn’t make me want to run for the hills.
I feel…different.
I open my eyes to see Theodore peering at me. He looks completely shaken.
“Well,” he says, running his fingers through his hair, “I was sure it was a joke. How on earth did theyfind out? Why in fuck’s name wouldn’t you tell me?”
“Gigi told me a week ago,” I mutter. “During the rally.”
Theodore’s eyes shine with understanding. “That’s how they got the picture,” he says. “One of those pesky little journalists probably eavesdropped on her.” He pauses and looks down at his phone. “If this were a less serious situation, I would mention how ironic it is that Gigi has been impaled on her own sword, but…”
