Page 7 of Tangled Threads Of Fate

The kind nurse rested a hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay; it’ll be fine. They are fraternal, which means they all have their own amniotic sacs, and that definitely lessens the risks for both you and the babies. Your OB-GYN will be able to give you more information, and I suggest you find one immediately, if you don’t already have one.”

I was shaking. I could hear her talking, but it felt like bees were buzzing around my head. She wiped the jello stuff off my stomach and printed me out pictures, before leading me from the room, telling me firmly to book an appointment with an OB-GYN as soon as possible.

I collected another bill from the reception desk, and they sent me on my way, like my life wasn’t in fucking shambles.

I looked down at my stomach, poking it gently. I felt like an idiot. How could I have not known? It was harder than it should be, but I mean, I’d been binge eating Rossi’s beef rolls like a lunatic because I’d been craving them so much.

Guess I knew why now.

Stuffing the bills into my backpack, I walked to the bus stop. I definitely couldn’t afford cabs anymore. Or Rossi’s beef rolls. Or anything. I grabbed the next bus and sat by myself, staring out the window as it wound its way across town.

How was I supposed to take care of three babies by myself?There’s no way…

I swallowed down the emotions that seemed to still be riding way too close to the surface. The world was alight with golden slashes of light, and right now, possible brain damage was the least of my worries.

I kept my head down until I made it back home, so close to being able to break down properly. I walked up my steps, sneaking through the door so I didn’t run into Mrs. Byrne.

Fuck.I’d have to move. I couldn’t have three babies in a three-story walk-up. What if I tripped and dropped one down the stairs?

I was on the second-story landing when I ran into Nate. “Sorry,” I mumbled at the ground, dodging around him.

His hand shot out and wrapped around my wrist. I looked down at his long fingers on my skin. This was the first time in five years he’d ever touched me. He usually went out of his way to not even brush shoulders with me.

“Are you okay?”

I looked up into his gruff face, his short beard messy, and his wild, burnished red-brown hair piled on top of his head in a messy top-knot. He should’ve looked like a hipster, but I’d dare anyone to call him that to his face.

“Wren?” he prompted.

Don’t you do it, Wren. Don’t you fucking do it.

My body was now possessed, because despite the fact I was warning myself repeatedly, when I looked up into those sky-blue eyes, I burst into tears. I sobbed like my world was ending, slumping down onto that squeaky damn step.

I wouldn’t have to worry about the step waking him up soon—it would be the screaming babies. Babies who’d quickly realize fate had handed them the worst beginning ever by giving them an inexperienced single mother who couldn’t even tell them who their father was, because she didn’t remember.

Nate took two steps into my space, his face furious. “Are you injured? Who hurt you?” His hands gripped my shoulders gently, and it felt nice. I really was losing my mind.

I just shook my head, and he bundled me up into his arms and marched me into his apartment. I’d never been in here before, and while the layout was the same as mine, the place couldn’t have been more different. Firstly, there were a lot of plants. They made the whole place appear green, with soft tapestries lining the walls, giving it a cozy feel.

Well, except for the display of medieval weapons that hung on his wall, including a double-sided ax and a sword so long, it would take a giant to wield it.

He sat me on the couch and moved across to his small kitchen, pouring me a dram of whiskey. Coming back to squat in front of me, he pushed it beneath my nose. The smell made my stomach curl.

“I can’t.”

“It’ll calm your nerves,” he cajoled softly. It was the softest voice I’d ever heard him use.

Shaking my head, I didn’t even attempt to stop the fall of tears anymore. “No, I can’t, because I’m pregnant.”

Nate looked like I’d slapped him as he rocked back on his heels, his face contorted into a mask of surprise. “Pregnant?”

“With triplets,” I shrieked, hysteria setting in. “That means fuckingthree, Nate.”

Nate lifted the dram of whiskey to his own lips and threw it back, before walking back over and pouring himself another one. He cleared his throat, moving to sit down on the intricate stone coffee table across from me. He was so huge that it groaned ominously, and I was a little worried it might fall right through the floor and onto Mrs. Byrne’s head.

“Who’s the father?” he asked, looking as confused as I felt.

“That’s just it. I don’tknow. I swear, I haven’t had…” I snapped my mouth shut. Was I really about to tell the hottest guy I knew that I hadn’t gotten laid in twelve months? At this point, if I died of mortification, it would probably be a blessing. I cleared my throat and continued. “I haven’t had sex for a really long time. But I don’t remember being unsafe. And I have a damn contraceptive implant.”

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