No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Huh?! I was utterly shocked.

Pregnant?! Where did that come from?

Ernest was so close to me, close enough that I could once again catch the crisp and invigorating scent that was uniquely his.

This scent that belonged only to him made my breath catch, and a slight ache began to spread across my chest...

It was only at this moment I realized that the aftereffect of being apart from him was like the cider in a midnight bar, already fermented...

It was just my stubbornness that kept me pressing down the sour discomfort, even managing a smile as I looked at him, "What are you talking about? Has Mr. Collins taken up sleepwalking and hysteria?" Ernest's jaw clenched tight as he demanded, "Answer me."

He clearly wanted a definitive answer from me.

That would be a no.

I was definitely not pregnant, I was clear on that. But why would he suddenly think I was?

Had he heard something, or did I give him that impression somehow? Or was he suddenly afraid that I was pregnant, worrying it would affect something?

By the end, my heart was rolling with anger again. I was actually curious to see what his choice would be if he knew I was pregnant.

found myself holding my breath as the words left my

stepped even closer. "You're

didn't answer, and his hand had already grabbed my shoulder, "Why are you drinking if you're pregnant?

thinking about how he went to Houston and didn't see me, how he misunderstood me and wouldn't listen to my explanation, and even after listening, he still insisted on breaking up. I scoffed, "Did you ever give me a chance to

as he gripped my shoulder tighter, I struggled, trying to pull away, but he held on, "We're

sank at his words, a wave of

called out more sternly when I

to call me Licia, and now he addressed me so formally,

rigidity wasn't just physical; it extended

the world. Now that he didn't want me, all I

another, before finding my voice again, "What for? To get rid of

Ernest frowned, "What?"

away with

you, even if I really was pregnant, the baby would be mine, and nobody else has

ide its fate."

out, my tears finally

through several changes, "You're

his friend Grant had been up to these past days, my anger burst. forth, "What does it matter to you whether I'm pregnant or not,