Page 239 of Damaged Mogul
“It might not be food poisoning,” Nads says.
“I’m dying?”
“No, you’re not,” she says.
“But there’s something wrong with me. Why else would I be in the hospital?”
“The moment you passed out, I begged passersby to call 112 for an ambulance. When we arrived at the hospital?—”
“Did they conduct tests?”
“The doctor suggested we wait until you regained consciousness?—”
“He’s going to conduct tests now to find out what’s wrongwith me?”
“The doctor has his suspicions as to why you’ve been this sick.”
My best friend and the doctor exchange a silent conversation.
I pull on Nads’s arm. “Tell me. Don’t sugarcoat it.”
“Let me pick up where I left off,” Nads says. “When you arrived at the hospital, I wasn’t about to let you out of my sight. I might not be your blood sister, but I’m all you’ve got.”
My God, I love this woman.
“I thought it was going to be a battle––doctor patient confidentiality, and all––but Doctor Cluzet recognized my name. He felt he could trust a former president’s daughter. When the doctor asked me what had happened, I told him you’ve been vomiting for the past four days. I let him know you suspected the cause was either the pizza or lasagna that were off. I informed him you’ve been having a hard time keeping any food down. Even a plain croissant. Only Perrier settles your stomach. I also told him you traveled on a redeye.”
“And…?”
Nadine turns to the doctor.
His hazel-brown eyes land on me.“Est-ce que vous vous rappelez de la date de vos dernières règles?”
My gaze snaps to Nadine. “He wants to know when was my last period?”
She nods.
“How does that––” Realization comes crashing like a tidal wave.
“I didn’t go into anything personal, but the doctor asked if you were sexually active.” Nadine dances from one foot to the other. “I also told him it was your first time. I mentioned you––I mean,he––used a condom. But Doctor Cluzet noted they’re not one-hundred percent effective. Since youweren’t on any form of contraception… there’s a good chance you might be pregnant. The test will confirm it.”
I close my eyes.
“It’s going to be okay, Lily.” Nadine caresses my arm.
No, it’s not going to be okay.
I swore up and down a stack of Bibles, I’d never end up in Mama’s predicament––pregnant and alone.
Look at me now.
Chapter 44
Gage
Two days later
Istep out of the shower and stand in front of the vanity.
