Page 66 of Unconventionally, Elle
"It's his, you know," she seethed. "He'll take me back. I know it. He won't leave me alone knowing it's his."
My brain was malfunctioning. I couldn't find the words. I couldn't even think straight. She wasn't saying what I think she was saying. Right? "What?"
"You heard me. You heard the whole conversation, didn't you? It's his baby, and he won't have a choice after his mother and Olivia get ahold of him." Her voice was shaking. Was she really angry? She seemed... scared.
I felt the warm tears roll down my cheeks and turn to stiff ice. I felt every crack of my heart as it broke with every word Margaret uttered. "No," I whispered, my eyes pleading. "No, no."
"Yes," she said and put her hand on her now visible rounded stomach, protective and proud. "Just because you say no doesn't make it go away." She grabbed her purse, held her stomach, and stared at me. "I never hated you, Elle."
I was trapped in her stare.
"But he was never yours."
Then she walked away.
I felt my stomach turn upside down once she was out of sight. I rushed to the closest bush away from the crowds beginning to file outside and heaved. I have no idea how long I threw up. I don't know how long I was outside. Mid-heave, I felt Barrett's hand on my shoulder and then looked up into his beautiful eyes.
"Elle?" Barrett pulled me into him, warm and secure. "Are you okay? What happened? C'mon, babe. Let's get you home."
"Barrett," I sputtered. "Barrett, I know," I choked out through my tears. I wiped my face and mouth on my jacket and sniffled back more tears.
Barrett's face dropped, and before he could say anything to me, his mother walked up from behind him with Olivia and Emma.
"What is it you know, dear?" Mrs. Henry remarked with cautious
concern.
I didn't want to do this--not here, not now. Instead, I heaved one more time and let Barrett pick me up and carry me to the car. His strong arms cradled me, and his woodsy scent soothed my overactive mind. He gently lowered me into the passenger seat and snuck a soft kiss on my forehead before closing the door. I watched him walk over to his family, and all of them argued with animated gestures and loud voices. I couldn't hear them clearly, but a few times, Emma looked over at me with big blue eyes full of pity.
Barrett's jacket was on the seat next to me, and since he was a few feet away with the others, I slipped my hand into his coat pocket and grabbed the note.
10 a.m. Jan. 7
Dr. Sillos
Be there.
The majority of the drive home was uncomfortably silent. Not only was my love life an episode ofReal Housewives, but my manuscript was due in seven days and I still had to write the third-act breakup and happily ever after.
"Elle, how did you know?" Barrett finally asked as he turned onto my street.
Eyes puffy and head pounding, I looked over at him with exhaustion consuming my entire body. I didn't want to talk about it. I mean, what the fuck? We were happy and everything was going so well. The only fight we'd had was about custody of Louie should anything happen. Now it felt like we'd foreshadowed our own fate.
"I walked outside to get some fresh air, to wait for you." I exhaled a weighty sigh. "And I ran into Margaret. She told me... accidentally." I kept my eyes forward, watching the bare trees pass us by.
"Accidentally?" He quirked an eyebrow and glanced my way.
"Yeah, I was walking to the benches and noticed she was on the phone, so I stayed hidden, hoping to avoid her. Well, she saw me and thought I heard everything and knew about the baby." I leaned forward and massaged my temples. I sat back up and continued, my right hand lightly massaging my forehead. "Spoiler, I didn't know until she raged at me." The frustration was winning over my exhaustion, and my voice felt hotter, like a momentary burst of adrenaline rushed through my body.
He released a heavy sigh, then trailed his hand from his weary face down to his neck, where he rubbed his tense muscles.
"Look, I'm really sorry. It was before I met you. I swear. You know I'd never cheat on you." He looked over again, this time his eyes pleading.
"I know it wasn't while we were together. I gathered as much," I said wearily. The adrenaline was waning again.
"I had no idea until she approached me at the funeral. I'm still--my mind is reeling." He groaned and hit the steering wheel. "Fuck!"
His voice vibrated through my chest, and I kept my eyes on him.
