Page 63 of Love Me

She goes on a rampage, pacing around.

“You take the pill without even blinking, do you hear me? And you…” She jabs a finger at me. “I knew this would happen, stupid hormonal man.”

Bailey is so still, she could be confused with a statue.

“I have class,” Celine says and ushers us all out.

“Take it,” Blake says resolutely.

Celine grabs the white pill and flushes it down the toilet.

“Now leave.”

In the hallway, Abigail, Blake, and Bailey look at me like I have the power to change things, but I won’t force Celine to do something she doesn’t want to do. Never again.

“What are we going to do?” Abigail asks.

“Calm down. Even if she’s pregnant, she’s with Hunter,” Bailey says.

The thought alone has me rushing back into her room. The others try to barge their way in, but I lock the door.

Whatever she sees in my eyes, Celine steps back. I prowl to her, caging her into the wall next to the bathroom. My body shakes with undiluted fury.

“Would you even know who the father is?”

Her hand flies toward my face, but I catch it in midair.

I release her, and the hurt in her eyes decimates me.

“Hmm, so it would be mine then?”

She pushes me off her. Her chest heaves, and her eyes that looked at me last night with pure emotions are filled with unadulterated distaste.

“I would never need you to fill in. I have and will always have Hunter.”

A shot to the head, delivered perfectly, execution style, followed by a bullet straight to the heart.

“Stay away from me, you fucking heartless bastard!”

***

In my room, I get ready for the bi-monthly dinner and dress in a navy dress shirt, slacks, and leather shoes, respecting the elegant dress code Grandmother demands.

Abigail, Bailey, and Blake wait for me downstairs. Behind me, Celine, sidesteps without a glance in my direction, greeting everyone in the group but me.

Hello, am I invisible?

Fucking great.

I drive away in a heap of screeching tires. When I get to the compound, I wait for the others. Celine is the first to walk into Grandmother’s mansion.

Abigail wraps her arm around my elbow and we plaster on our fake smiles. Even after all this time, this constant faking hasn’t become easier. Staying vigilant is paramount if I want to succeed. Bailey and Blake trail behind us.

Grandmother appraises Celine, who transforms into the epitome of demure under her gaze. I have to give it to her. She’s smart and understands what’s expected of her.

I can’t stop staring at her stomach, though. Raw feelings claw at my chest. There’s a chance my baby is growing inside her.

“My dears.”

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