Page 127 of Betrayed in the Dark
Fuck, I didn’t think this through.
“Miss Alarie. Is everything okay?” I look up to see Reginald waiting by the car for me. I was so lost in my head that I didn’t realize I ended up outside.
“Yes, everything is fine,” I answer, lying through my teeth. He opens the door for me, and I slide across the seat.
A moment later, the car accelerates, and I look out the window, watching the imposing building slowly disappear from view.
I rest my hand protectively against my stomach.
Everything will be okay,I think, closing my eyes.All that matters is that Eli will be safe.
Abruptly, an intense cramp spreads over my stomach. I bite down hard as the pain radiates. I groan, catching the attention of Reginald.
“Is everything all right?” he asks.
“Yes. Yes. Fine.” I wave him off as the pain starts to dissipate. “Must have just eaten something strange.”
He nods in the rearview mirror, putting his eyes back on the road.
What the fuck was that?
I rub my stomach, which suddenly feels tight. It’s not painful, just uncomfortable.
As we approach the highway, wetness coats the inside of my thighs. A cold dread settles over me. I swallow hard as I separate my legs and slightly pull up my dress, revealing blood on the inside of my thighs.
No. No. No.
“Reginald,” I say in a shaky voice.
“Yes?”
“Take me to the nearest hospital.”
His eyes dart up to the rearview mirror. “Miss?”
“Now,” I state firmly. I clench my jaw as another shot of pain passes over me. “Please.”
He nods, and I feel the car accelerate faster. “We’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Thank you,” I say as a tear rolls down my cheek. I wrap my arms around my stomach. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry.”
“I had a miscarriage,” I tell him, looking away as shame overtakes me. “The doctors said there was nothing I could have done to prevent it, but I can’t help feeling like…”
He brushes back my hair. “Feeling like what?”
“Like I’m to blame,” I admit, the weight of my words hanging heavy between us.
“Madeleine, no,” he says softly but firmly. “That’s not true.”
“But it is,” I reply, my voice cracking as I wipe my eyes. “I wasn’t even sure if I wanted it. I was so confused and upset. The stress of the situation, on top of what I just did, was eating away at me. But…” I take a deep breath. “The moment I lost it, that was when I realized how much I wanted it. How much I wanted to be a mom,” I whisper. “But it was too late.”
“This wasn’t your fault, love. None of this was your fault,” Eli reassures me, his hold feeling like everything I’ve ever needed. He’s the one constant in my life, keeping me standing strong, even when I feel completely lost.
I look up at him, desperate for answers. “What are we going to do?”
He presses his lips gently to the top of my head. “I will take care of that son of a bitch. I don’t want you to worry about him.”
“But you heard what I said. If I don’t marry him, he’ll have you killed—”
