Page 141 of Habits

I can feel both Max and Andrew’s worried eyes on me, but I can’t move mine from my father.

“Y-you …”

“Jeanette, I’m so …”

“Out!” My voice is still raw, but I put all of the strength I can muster behind that one word. “G-get o-out.”

He shakes his head, crying. His eyes beg me to let him explain, but I don’t want to. I can’t.

“Dad?” I can hear the confusion in Max’s voice, but I feel too weak to explain. Tears come to my eyes. Tears of hurt, pain and betrayal. Tears of guilt and resentment.

Andrew’s thumb wipes underneath my cheeks, brushing away the tears. He looks at me carefully for a moment before he turns around, cold eyes starting at my father.

“She wants you out, so get out.” There is no emotion or tenderness in his voice.

“Who do you think you are …”

“You’re upsetting her and making it worse,” he grits through his teeth. Anger rolls off of him in waves, but he’s holding it in. “She’s been through enough. I won’t let you upset her anymore.”

Then he stands in front of me, his face softening as he blocks my view of my father. “I’ll call the nurse. They have to check you out.”

I nod in agreement. He presses the call button and leans against the bed next to me. His hand is holding on to mine, not letting go.

Never letting go.

We wait in silence, each one of us lost to our own thoughts. My brain is going through the snaps of memory from the last few days.

Was it just days? It feels like much longer.

First the pregnancy test and then the …

Pregnancy test.

The panic returns in full force, stronger than before.

“Andrew, I …” I grip Andrews hand strongly, not knowing how to say it. Not knowing how to ask. What to ask.

In that moment, the doctor enters the room, followed by the nurses. They rush to my side, checking monitors and observing me. I hear one of the nurses ask the guys to leave.

Reluctantly, Andrew starts to pull away, but I grasp on to his hand, holding for dear life. “S-stay.”

“Princess …”

“Miss Sanders …” the doctor starts, but I stop him.

I don’t care about what they want or what the protocol is. I need him by my side. “I need you here with me. Stay.”

His green eyes grow soft, and he returns back to his position next to me, his hand holding mine.

I hear the door softly close behind Max. The doctor gives me a disapproving look, but I don’t let him scare me.

They check my vitals and ask dozens of questions. I try to answer them all, when in reality the only thing that interests me is the baby.

What happened to my baby?

Is there even a baby anymore or did I …

“Everything looks good, Miss Sanders. You should try and rest now. If you’re in too much pain, the nurses can give you some pain reliever. The bruises and scratches should be gone soon, but it’ll take a while for your ribs and hand to heal properly.”

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