Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Did you just find out?” Saskia asks, sitting on the bed.
We’re finally alone, and I’m suddenly very grateful that she found the test I left on the counter, and nobody else did. If they had, we wouldn’t be sitting here so calmly right about now.
“Yeah.” I nod. “My period was a few days late, and ... I got that just before I got attacked.”
Her eyes soften. “Are you okay?”
I shake my head. “No. Honestly, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to feel. I literally know nothing except that I’m pregnant with the child of a man who doesn’t even know if he wants me. That’s gut wrenching, Sas. It’s literally the worst thing that could happen.”
She scoots into the bed beside me, tucking herself under the covers so we’re both sitting without backs against the headboard.
“Are you going to tell him?”
I shrug. “I don’t even know what I’m going to do. I mean, I’m keeping it of course, but I don’t know if I should tell him or just ... do it on my own.”
“He has a right to know, Chan ...”
I look to her, my eyes pleading. “I know that, but if I tell him now, he’ll pick me. He’ll pick me just because he thinks it’s the right thing to do. Please understand, that would kill me. Knowing I’m the choice he made because he had to. What if he wants Penny? What if he’s happier with her? What if I’m taking away his chance at happiness, because I tell him about a baby and he does the right thing?”
Saskia nods. “Look, I understand, I really do. I just think ... I think he should know. But, you’re right, you should be able to take the time to figure that out. It isn’t my choice, and I’d never say anything. It’s yours. And you have to make what you feel is the best decision.”
I drop my head. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
Saskia reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “It is happening, though, and we’re going to get through it. I’ve got your back. I won’t leave your side, Chantelle, I’ll help you as much as I can.”
I squeeze her hand back, because I don’t know what I’d do without her.
“I didn’t want to say anything with everyone here, but, I’d like to get checked out by a doctor. I know they’re going to ask questions, but ... I need to know the baby is okay.”
Saskia nods. “I was going to suggest that, too. How about we go to the hospital together?”
I nod, “That would be good. Where did Malakai and Koda run off too?”
Saskia shrugs. “I’m not sure. Malakai got a call, and they got out pretty fast. Do you think something happened with Penny?”
I glance at her. “I don’t know, gosh, I hope not ...”
She purses her lips. “I’ll ring Mason, find out ... if you like?”
I nod. Because, Boston went running out of here pretty quickly, and not even an hour after, Malakai got a call and rushed out just as fast. I didn’t think at the time to ask, because honestly, the pain and confusion I’m feeling blocked out my concern, but now, I’m feeling incredibly concerned.
Did something happen to Penny, too?
Is she okay?
Saskia pulls out her phone and dials Mason, he must answer fairly quickly, because she says, “Hey babe. I just wanted to check in. Is everything okay? You all rushed out really quickly.”
She listens for a moment, and her lips part slightly. “Oh. Oh no.”
My head whips around and my eyes get wide. “What is it?”
She puts up a hand and keeps listening. “Is she okay?” she finally asks.
She listens for a bit more, and then says, “Please keep me updated.”
Hanging up the phone, she turns to me, and her expression is grim. She looks like she’s about to break some pretty terrible news, and that news is going to upset me.
“What is it?” I say frantically. “Please tell me.”
She exhales. “Penny’s ex was at Boston’s house, high as a kite, threatening them. He had a gun. Boston arrived, all hell broke loose, and Ashton shot Penny.”
I gasp and my hand flies over my mouth. “Is she okay? God, is she ... alive?”
Panic floods my chest, and suddenly my problems seem non-existent in comparison.
“She’s okay, she got shot in the leg and has been taken to the hospital. But ...”
“But what?” I cry out, my voice high pitched and frantic.
“But Mason said Boston ... he beat Ashton, really bad ... he didn’t say how bad because we are on the phone, which makes me think ...”
“Oh God.”
Saskia nods. “Look, I don’t know, but he said everything is a big mess over there and Boston has gone MIA.”
Oh.
No.
My heart aches, for everyone, for Boston, for Penny, for the whole situation.