Page 44 of My Human Wife

“What did he say?”

“Just that I was responsible for your crimes because I’m your wife.”

“You are. The IGC is a matriarchy. The idea is that no woman would marry a criminal if she were responsible for his crimes as well.”

I push Gael out of frustration. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Would it had made a difference? Would you have stayed at the sex temple or would you have stayed with Kamos?”

I stamp on his foot with my own to do something because he’s right. I would have made the exact same choices. But more than anything I want him to take me into his arms and say he wanted to marry me too.

By the time we reach theSisu, I walk off and try to walk to what used to be my room. I just want to be alone to think about everything.

Gael grabs my arm. “Where are you going?”

“To be alone.”

“You’ve got to see Hela.”

Gael doesn’t let go of my arm as he escorts me to the doctor. Many people offer their congratulations as we walk through the hallways. I can barely keep the tears from my eyes. My emotions are everywhere right now and I don’t know how to get them in check.

When we walk into the medical center Hela begins to greet us but then her face loses all its warmth. “Come here Lara. Gael, go somewhere else. This is a matter for women only.”

When Hela and I are alone the first thing she does is put her hands on my bare arms. Immediately I begin to feel better and more in control. “What are you doing?”

“I’m easing some of your adrenaline. You’re all worked up.”

“For good reason. I killed some people. I’m not a killer.”

“Everyone is capable of killing if they need to be. I can erase those memories right now. Do you want me to?”

I consider her offer. “No. I need to know what I did.”

“You don’t need to know the details.”

I think about this again. “No I need it all or else I’ll always wonder. At least this way I know why.”

Hela nods and then uses a device to cut off my bracelet and remove the tracking chip from my arm. “Now there’s the question of this pregnancy. Did you tell anyone in the rescue party?”

“No. But they all saw me naked. This is Gael’s jacket.”

“We can tell them you were bloated. Now what do you want to do?”

“What do you mean?” I meet her grey eyes.

“Don’t tell me you want to keep it?”

“It’s half mine.”

“Who’s the other half?”

“Kamos,” I say as if I’m ashamed, but I was his pet. I was playing a part. I wasn’t cheating on Gael. Gael sent me there.

“And you still want to keep it?”

I feel like a child asking for permission. “Yes, I want to keep it. How can you ask me that? Most of you here are half human. What if your mothers had aborted you?” I know I’m raising my voice I just can’t help it. I feel the ring on my finger freezing and as soon as I notice it Gael has returned, his face in anguish.

Hela says, “She’s perfectly healthy, but she should rest.”

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