Chapter 70 TOO HARD TO TAKE
ARYA'S POV
“Hmm.” His tone was totally different. The father who was always so kind and looked out for me was now being indifferent, still visibly shaken by the tragic news I had shared with him.
“Does anyone in this family know about this aside from Stella?” He asked me again.
He did not ask me how I felt or what hurt me. He seemed to be very careful to not let this news leave the four corners of my room. He did not want others to know because of the shame it would bring on me especially.
Stella was not a part of the family but I understood his question, he wanted to make sure that no one knew about this.
"No, no one knows." I said, my voice shaking. I lied, I knew but I couldn't tell him the truth.
I wiped the tears from my face as my eyes were already cloudy.
"Aside from you and Stella no one is aware of it.” I lied again, hoping that time it was for a good cause.
He turned to look at me, his eyes clearly showed that he was still hurt. They had that same sharp and scary look.
"Good. We have to keep it that way. We have to be completely silent about this." He looked at me and the way he was staring at me was like an order, not something he was asking me to do.
"This conversation between us Arya stays between us. Everything about this remains in the four walls of this room.” He instructed me.
“Okay sir.” I replied. I was ready to do anything he asked me to.
“I'll let you rest now. Have you eaten?” He asked me.
That caring side of him was back. It never left before, it just hid behind shock. I smiled, happy that I had such a man like him to be my step dad. He was the most caring man I've ever come across.
“I've eaten daddy.” I replied, pressing my lips together.
“Good. Have some rest then.” He whispered as he kissed me on my forehead.
“I love you pumpkin. I'm always here for you, alright?” He said.
I felt so safe around him. This was the kind of man I needed, the kind of man to be there for me when I was at my lowest. The kind of a man who wouldn't just quarrel with me but correct me with love and understanding.
I was sitting on my bed by myself looking at the door that was closed. The scary feeling I had about being pregnant was not there anymore.
My step dad was not just concerned about me but also about my mum. Since the pregnancy was no more, he didn't see the need to let my mum know.
I don't really know why but I felt it was because he didn't want her to be depressed by the news or make her feel ashamed.
My mum could be dramatic. She could literally beat the hell out of me once she found out.
The whole thing was just overwhelming me. I didn't know how best to contain the happiness I felt inside.
I was over the moon as I buried my face into my pillow.
“Arya, you are so lucky.” I said to myself with beans of smile radiating all over me.
My phone started to ring.
“Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.”
I picked up my phone and turned to lay on my stomach.
It was Stella. She was the one who always called me from time to time. I picked it up immediately.
“Hello babe.” I replied.
“What is the news?” She asked me, her voice sounding suspicious.
“What news?” I asked her in return.
The last time I could remember, we had no new issue on ground to discuss.
“Your voice is sounding like there is news. Wasn't it you who left my place looking a bit sick? Have you recovered already? Or did you get yourself fucked up?” Stella asked.
Stella always believed that sex always played a key role in boosting one's mood. Well, I mean she's not totally wrong but she was right now.
“Daddy knows about it.” I said to her,
“Wait, what? Dad what?? Are you okay??” She asked me, totally smitten by shock.
I was expecting such a reaction so it wasn't surprising to me.
“Calm down and hear me out.” I replied.
“How should I calm down? Wait, why are you even sounding happy about it? Why do you sound like someone who won a gold medal for killing a fucking child and her dad is aware? You are really not normal.” Stella hissed.
I almost burst out laughing but that would only make her insult me the more.
She couldn't understand why I was so overjoyed. For me to have concealed such a secret from everyone and murdered a child, it was something that ate me from inside out. I felt like my step dad now took away all the pains from me.
“What is happening?” Stella asked, her voice, a mixture of confusion and eagerness.
“My step dad found out that I was pregnant —” I started when Stella cut me in.
“How?? Did the doctor report you to him? Did Justin say a word? Oh fuck! I knew those fuckers won't keep shit. It's all my fault babe I'm sorry.” Stella apologized, feeling guilty once more.
“It's none of them, I thought as much too. None of them told him.” I replied.
“Then how? How did he find out or you told him? Because all the results from the hospital are at my place and we've destroyed them so how?” Stella pressed further as she was so curious to know.
“He observed me… that was how he knew.” I finally replied.
“What are you saying? This doesn't sound true babe. Maybe he just doesn't want to tell you.” Stella replied.
“Not at all. He was telling the truth. He even asked if anyone knew about it.” I added, trying to make Stella believe me.
“So what did you say? Did you tell him that Justin knew about it?” Stella asked.
“No I didn't. Since he doesn't know I'll leave it that way.” I replied.
“That's good then. That was really a close one. So was that why you were happy? It's a good thing though but I hope he won't tell your mum?” Stella asked with concern.
“No he won't. He asked me not to mention it to anyone.” I replied.
“That's news then. How are you? Has the cramps subsided?” Stella asked me.
“It has subsided. I'm feeling much better now. I'm just so happy that my dad is caring and understanding.” I answered.
“You really have the best dad I can say. You're lucky babe, just act normal now and forget about anything that happened.” Stella encouraged me.
“I sure will. How's your man? Please send in my greetings.”
“I will. My regards to your dad as well. Don't fuck anything up again. I know you, when you are so happy you tend to make mistakes, be careful this time.”
“I will. Fuck yourself to stupor.” I teased as we laughed about it.