Chapter 206

Evelyn

Two days had passed since the excitement of Jacob's proposal, but something else had been gnawing at me like a relentless leech. One nagging, soul-crushing question: Was I even on the pill?

The fact that I couldn't remember was maddening. It felt like trying to grasp smoke. I needed to know-desperately. And worse, there was no one I could ask.

Who else would know about my pregnancy precautions? That was my responsibility. Solely mine. And I had failed. Miserably.

I bit the inside of my cheek, shutting my eyes tightly, trying to will the memory back. Nothing. Just a hazy void where clarity should have been.

The only person who might help? Nancy.

Jacob was still in the shower, so I had time to call her. My fingers fumbled over my phone as I pulled up her contact and hit FaceTime.

The call rang. And rang. Anxiety surged like a tidal wave, crashing harder with each unanswered ring.

"Pick up, you stupid bitch," I muttered under my breath, pacing the room. "Come on, I need you! Pick the damn phone!"

Finally, as if the gods decided to take pity on me, Nancy answered. The screen flickered to life, revealing her sprawled across a bed, her hair tousled and a barely awake man lying beside her. I didn't recognize him, but given her track record, I didn't expect to.

She adjusted her satin nightie and gave me her signature smirk. "Hey, bitch. What's up?"

"Nancy," I blurted, barely able to contain myself. "I think I screwed up. Big time."

Her brows furrowed as she sat up slightly, though her smirk didn't falter. "Don't tell me you're already getting cold feet. Seriously, Evie, it's been like three days! Too early for a meltdown."

"No!" I snapped. "That's not it. I want to marry Jacob. There's no doubt in my mind about that."


"Then what? Spill." Her voice softened, but the confusion lingered.

I swallowed hard, avoiding her gaze. "I... I forgot when I last took my pills."

The line went silent for a beat. I braced myself for one of her classic are-you- serious-right-now looks. Instead, she blinked, processing. Then, finally:

"That's no biggie," she said with a dismissive wave. "It's all about your period. You didn't miss it, right? No way you're pregnant if"

Her words trailed off as my face betrayed me.

Period.

Fuck.

Two months. Maybe more. Exactly when had I last had it?

"Evelyn..." Her voice dropped, her playful tone replaced by something serious. "No. Tell me you're not about to say what I think you're about to say."

"I know I sound like a complete idiot right now, but between everything in America and the chaos of coming here...

leapt out of bed, startling her bedmate, who groggily muttered something before rolling over. She didn't care. Her frustration

paced, hands tugging at her hair. "How do you just—" She stopped mid-rant, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Okay. Okay. First

her words crash


don't

Nancy's voice was sharp, breaking

my throat dry. "Two months, probably. Maybe

her nose. "Okay, let's take a breath. Calm down first." She inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly as if hoping I'd mirror her composure. "Have you had

words hit home. My pulse raced. "All of

it, bitch! What have you been waiting for? Why haven't you taken a test?" Her frustration exploded, as loud and

was just fatigue, you know? I

Jacob is remotely ready for," she shot back,

It felt like a thousand tiny spiders crawling under my skin, and the suffocating weight of uncertainty settled in my chest. "I screwed up, Nancy. I don't know what to

for sure. Start with

My hand drifted

"There are... options. You know that, right? So don't

struck


in my gut. That

consider. No matter how

of taking that

s

Her voice snapped me out of my

"Yeah?"

was asking-when are you planning to

hand still resting on

figure it out. I

sound of the bathroom door opening cut my words short. My heart

throat as Jacob stepped

a quick text: I'll let

dropped the towel on the floor, his usual careless


were you talking to?" he asked, his tone

a nervous laugh. "She was just checking on me after

"Hmm." His lips

curved into a small

as he leaned down, brushing

kiss against mine.

momentarily quieting the storm in my mind Come on, get ready Let'

murmured, rising

grab his shoes, my gaze lingered on him, a knot of guilt twisting tighter

***

Jacob was at the office, I finally worked up the nerve to

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