Page 325 of Phobia
The word sticks on my heavy tongue, the room no longer spinning, just fading into darkness. I’m vaguely aware of the pain in my neck, but before I can process another thought, everything turns to nothing.
Chapter 28
I’ve been sitting on this bed for two days, trying to process what’s happening.
When I woke up, I was convinced it was a bad dream, but then I saw Dom and flew into a rage. That’s how it’s been, burning with anger, then freezing with fear, convinced I can feel the baby poking at me, weakening me. Preparing me to lose.
I’m on borrowed time. Why doesn’t he spare me and end it now?
Having sex comes with risks, but I knew what I’d do if I ever got pregnant. Quietly, without ceremony, I’d make it go away.
The thought always broke my heart, but then I remembered I’d be sparing it a life of loneliness and blame. Without the death of its mother on its conscience. I’d shed a tear for the baby I’d never meet—whether I kept it or not—then move on.
I can’t do that now. Dom’s taken that choice from me too, and in some mad way, it helps. Who knew that resigning yourself to your fate lessens the fear of what’s to come?
There’s a knock at the door, and Dom enters with a plate of food and a glass of water. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve eaten, but I’m not hungry, and even though my body feels lifeless, I still find the energy to shoot daggers at him.
Dom places the plate on the dresser and sits on the bed. “It’s time to eat. You need to take care of yourself.”
The fog lifts—this is what it was all about. The answer I was so desperate for. “Human incubator.”
Dom frowns. “What?”
“That’s what you wanted, and you chose wisely…” I exhale a bitter laugh. “In nine months, you’ll get a baby and won’t have to deal with its mother because I’ll bedead.”
Dom sighs and drags his hands down his face. “No.” He stares at me—you’d almost mistake his expression for remorse. “I want the full package. I want you.”
“Then I stand corrected. You chosewrong.”
“This baby isn’t going to kill you, Naomi. I see who you are, and I’ll make you see it, too, no matter how long it takes.”
Sitting taller, I get in his face. “People will miss me this time. You can’t just lock me away.”
Dom shrugs like it means nothing. “I’ll handle your family when they return, and you already quit your job.”
“No, I did n-” My objection dies on my tongue.He found the email.My hand swings out, stopping an inch from Dom’s face, my wrist in his grasp.
“We’ve had this conversation,” he warns, holding me until he feels my arm go slack.
Rising, he walks to the door, grips the handle, and stops. “This is your life now. Here. With me.” Then before I can spew any more objections at him, he leaves, locking me in.
***
The door opens, but I don’t look. I’ve not moved a muscle, and the food and drink remain untouched. Staring ahead, I smell the freshly prepared replacement and ignore my salivating mouth out of spite.
“Got to say. This is the last thing I expected.”
“Fuck off, Jean.”
She laughs, walks to the chair in the corner, and sits. “Glad to see you still have some fight in you. Dom deserves a partner who-”
“A partner?” I jump to my feet, only to wobble and fall back onto the bed, overcome by dizziness.
“You daft mare,” Jean scoffs, shoving a glass of water in my hand. “Drink this.”
I take it and down the contents, then lock eyes with Jean and slam it back on the dresser.
“I know your story, Naomi. You didn’t ask for this, but in time-”
