31. Pregnant (3)

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

Nicole's POV

"He had the guts to show up in my house and spill just what I never wanted my wife to know. If I had wanted Nicole to know about my fucked up past, I would have told her myself but I do not want her to look at me differently," I sighed helplessly while leaning on the railing of the staircase just outside Dominic's home office.

Ever since his mother arrived today morning all I heard is Dominic yelling over Reed's behavior from the other day. Truthfully speaking, I was still a confusing mess of thoughts. I had no idea what I was supposed to make of that but a part of me knew that I felt very different about Dominic now. Dumped in a slum? In the rehab at fifteen?

"Dominic calm down. You know that your brother is a little immature. He is still growing," Mrs. Valiente pleaded with his son.

"A little? Why are you even defending him when he is clearly the one in the wrong here? I get that he is your favorite son or maybe you even consider him as your only son but for once can you please stop being blind?" I could tell he was hurt.

"Son what are you saying? I love you both. You are my elder son Dominic and I’m so proud of you. I know Reed can go a bit over the board sometimes but he means no harm to you or your wife,"

Oh, I really doubt that Mrs. Valiente.

"Really? Because he in love with my wife and he is so determined to get her from under me,” Dominic retorted right back.

"Dominic what are you talking about? Reed is not in love with your wife. You know of all the people I didn't expect you to start such senseless speculations about your own brother. You know he cannot even settle for one woman, let alone develop feelings for your wife,” her voice rose to a sharper, more stern tone.

"Seriously mother? Do you think I’m making this up? Go ahead, ask my wife. She will tell you everything, “He raged on.

Why would his own mother think Dominic was lying? I don't think I could handle this anymore. Strutting down the stairs, I sat cross-legged on the couch. Now more than ever I was beginning to think my life was cussed. Maybe it's because I fell in love too young despite my parents’ warnings. Was this my type of karma?

I turned towards the stairs at the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor. Mrs. Valiente walked past me, out of the house, without a word or as much as a single glance. What had transpired between them after I came down stairs must have been more intense.

The days that followed were the worst in my life. Dominic completely ignored me, barely spending time in the house and Reed was nowhere to be seen. Jade had gone to Africa, to broaden her knowledge of cultural fashion wear. I was still not talking to my parents and my brother never bothered to call me. Mrs. Valiente never stepped in the house the days that followed.

"Mrs. Dominic?" I gave a small start at the sound of the nurse.

For a moment I stared at her blankly before it finally dawned on me that I was in the hospital. The events of the previous four weeks were still weighing heavily on my brain.

"This way. The doctor is waiting for you," She motioned.

I nodded following her to the doctor's office, barely managing to walk the few steps.

"Go ahead Ma'am," I thanked her, knocked once then walked into the sight of the cheerfully Dr. Ambrose.

"Mrs. Valiente," he spoke as I say down, forcing a small smile on my lips.

"Ambrose,"

"You look like you are not taking good care of yourself. You really need to start eating especially now," he advised crossing his fingers on top of his office table.

"I have just been too busy lately," I lied smoothly.

"Well, you'll have to stop doing a lot of work from now. So I completed assessing all the tests I did on you,” he pushed back his glasses from the ridge of his nose back to his eyes. Sometimes I thought those glasses were just for show because that piece of hunk was barely twenty-five.

"And? Am I a sick doctor? Because honestly I don't understand what is happening to me, “I was growing more anxious by the second.

"No. You are actually in good health," his grin broadened.

"What? Then how about all the vomiting and feeling tired all the time? I can’t count how many times I visit the washrooms in a single day," I frowned.

"Congratulations. You are pregnant," he delivered the news.

"That's a really good joke but I don't really appreciate your sense of humor," I deadpanned after three seconds.

"Now, why would I joke about something like that?" His grin never faltered.

"What! No, I can't…I can’t be pregnant. I can’t, “I chanted trying to convince my panicked mind.

The doctor had to be joking but his expression said otherwise.

"You'll have to redo the test. Something must be wrong because I’m on the pill," I was trembling.

"There is always a tiny percent chance that you might end up getting pregnant even when you are on the pill. Its effectiveness lasts three months. So when did you last take it?"

I searched my brain trying to remember when I last took the pill, and when I finally remembered a crestfallen look washed over my face.

"Four and half months ago," I adhered in a small voice. Had I really been that stressed lately?

Oh my God! How could I be too careless?

"Take this as a blessing,” he advised.

A blessing? I had no one to talk to. My own husband was treating me like a stranger in our own house. All he did was get drunk and come home late in the night.

"Goodbye doctor," I walked out of the office without waiting for his reply.

I drove home fast. Much to my surprise Dominic was watching a football game in the living room, very much sober. That was a first especially considering how estranged we have been for the past four weeks.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Haven't you seen me before?" he questioned, raising his eyes towards me.

"We need to talk Dominic," I spoke softly.