Chapter 32: Shameless

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

"I’m pregnant, Dominic," I whispered afraid what his reaction would be.

"Well, there is nothing new in that," he replied indifferently.

Wait, he knew I was going to get pregnant? That's odd. Or maybe the doctor called him. Well, I'll have to sue him for that because this should have been my news to tell, not his.

"Well," I probed dying to know what his thoughts would be on my pregnancy.

Because on my part I was dead scared. My insides seemed to have frozen completely. It had taken ages already for me to come in to terms with my pregnancy. It still felt like a bad dream that I badly wished I could wake up from. The idea of being pregnant was not something I could easily accept…not after what happened.

"Just give me a few minutes to arrange for a celebration. After all my wife is pregnant," he flashed me a brief smile, standing up from the coach before walking upstairs.

"Wait," I called him.

He halted, turning to face me, his face void of any emotion. An expressionless Dominic scared me more than an angry one because I would never know what exactly was running through his head.

"I have a party to plan so can you just speak the fuck up?" the sudden anger in his voice shook me just as a wave of nausea hit me.

"After the party we need to talk," I said quickly rushing past him to the washroom. He needed to know my past because I would need his help getting through this pregnancy.

Pregnancy hormones were the worst and buffing my guts out was proof of that. After I was done, I washed off my mouth before stumbling into the bedroom, flopping on the bed on my back. I felt really tired although since Dominic quit working in the company I have just been sitting around all day doing nothing except tire my mind worrying about Dominic. Why was I even worried about him when I should be scared of him? I let my mind slip into a blankness, falling into a deep sleep. I was woken up with a rough shake on my shoulders. With a fazed expression, I made out Dominic dressed in an all-white crisp suit. I don't think he could have ever looked more handsome in his life. His gelled hair was neatly styled and his face shone with a radiance I have never seen before.

"Well, I picked a dress for you, if you don't mind of course," he flashed a smile my way and I couldn't ignore the butterflies making a wild dance in my stomach. Had he not been angry just a few hours ago? That what was with the smile and the glow?

"Of course I don't mind. Anyway you always know just the right dress for me to wear," I slid off the bed, pushing my feet into the flats.

"Your bath is ready and before we go to the party I already prepared some nutritious food for you," He pecked me on the lips then left.

I touched my lower lip, the sensation of the peck still lingering deeply. I didn't want to question his sudden change of behavior but in a way it made me happy. The bathtub was set up with lavender scented candles. A feeling of awe ripped through me as I got rid of my clothes. Closing my eyes, I let the warm water lap against my skin, my mind relaxing.

The strapless red sequin trimmed slit sleeve chiffon party dress with matching red four inch strap heels fit me just perfectly. There was a matching red purse so I tied my hair into an auburn as I tacked the purse under my arm. I applied a light shade of red lipstick before carefully making my way downstairs just as a tantalizing scent wafted its way into my nostrils. I didn't even realize I was hungry until a low grumble left my stomach.

"You look lovely," Dominic complemented me the moment I graced the dining room.

For a moment I went speechless as my heart beat increased. It was the first time Dominic had complement my looks. Where has the nice Dominic been hiding all this time? Had the news of pregnancy had a positive impact on him? Well, at least one of us was lucky enough to be enthusiastic about my pregnancy.

"Thank you," I blushed, my face turning tomato red.

My gaze diverted to the table which was laid out perfectly with delicacies.

"This looks tasty," I commented.

"Just don't drool on the food," Dominic joked with a light smile.

Later as we walked into one his penthouses that served as the venue for the party I was even more surprised. My parents and twin brother were present. The rush of anger that I felt for them suddenly dissipated into the thin air, getting replaced by longing. In truth I had realty missed them. Tears suddenly clouded my eyes as I fought not to cry.

"We can leave if you don't want us here," Mum began but I cut her off with a tight hug.

After a series of apologies, I was finally back in good terms with my family. I greeted my in-laws but I was astonished to see Lawrence Stewart. What was he doing here? He wasn't part of the family.

"Nicole," my heartbeat stopped at the familiar voice breathing down my neck.

"Reed," I flashed him a sardonic smile while turning to face him.

"Didn't you miss me?" he asserted.

"Was I supposed to?" I quirked an eyebrow in question.

"Hello brother. Nice of you to show up," Dominic thankfully interjected joining us while drinking from his glass.

I took the opportunity to find Julian. The last thing I needed was to be caught in a wrangle between the brothers. He was busy chatting off with some of the bartenders.

"Well, care to explain why you were ignoring my calls before choosing to go MIA?" I probed joining him by the counter.

"I’m sorry okay?" he pouted.

"I’m not going to fall for that so just give me a damn explanation Julian," I demanded. Maybe it was pregnancy hormones working overtime but I needed an answer.

He sighed before opening his mouth to speak.

"Listen I need to tell you something. I’ll understand if you are going to hate me after this,” He paused, taking a deep breath before opening his lips,” I’m gay Nicole," he blurted out easily.

Wait, what? My brother is gay? I had to sit down to absorb it. It's a different thing when I was writing it in my novels and another thing for it to be happening to me in real life. I mean Julian and I always talked about how we would take care of our kids together.

"My wife Nicole," when did Dominic get on the stage?

I blindly walked to the front as Dominic held me by the waist, raising a glass in the air.

"This is to my wife who is shamelessly pregnant with my brother's baby," that drew me out of my daze.

It took time for me to understand the exact meaning of Dominic's words. His brother's baby? And he called me shameless and that too before my parents? A single tear rolled down my cheek but I angrily rubbed it off with the back of my hand.

"You sick bastard!"I screamed while slapping him before stomping out of the party.

Sure I might have given him reasons to doubt my loyalty because I had been scared of him before but Dominic calling me shameless and accusing me of carrying his brother's baby before my own family, had taken a huge toll on me. This was something unforgivable and I don't care if he had been fucking tipsy.

"Nicole wait," I heard Reed scream somewhere behind me as I ran down the stairs blindly.

"What do you want from me Reed?" I asked bitterly the moment he reached where I was standing.

"Are you okay? “I laughed so hard till tears stained my cheeks.

"Am I okay? Let me see. Today I just found out I was pregnant and my own husband called me shameless before my own family. Then as if that was not bad enough he claims I’m carrying your baby. So no, I’m not okay Reed but I’m Nicole, I always figure things out. I forgive so many things but this one, I'll never forgive Dominic. Now tell this to your brother, he will never see my face again at least not for a while and this baby, I’m going to take care of it alone. I won’t even ask for a single cent from him and he can as well shove the money up his ass, “I asserted through my rage. Fuck! And I was beginning to fall irrevocably for him.

"But Nicole I can come with you," he offered just the last thing I wanted to hear coming out of his lips.

"Your whole family makes me sick right now so just fuck off Reed and goodbye," I stated finally before boarding a taxi.

If someone had told me I would end up like this, I would have actually laughed out loud but yet here I was, running away from my own husband. I didn't pack up any clothes, just my laptop and my own credit card, not the ones Dominic gave me. I looked at the mansion one last time before hailing a taxi to the far end of the city. I managed to book a room in a motel. I would spend some few nights here while making a few plans for my life and the baby. I'd probably find a job and a new place to live far away from New York where no one can find me. When I was stable enough again, I would get back into writing and this time, make a fucking comeback. Dominic was not going to get away with this.