CHAPTER 142
CHAPTER 142
POV ELIZABETH
Charlotte was absolutely right—I needed to talk to him before anything else, before making any decisions.
“Good afternoon, Eleonor! Where is everyone?” I asked as I walked into the kitchen, where Eleonor was preparing a dessert.
“Your mother took little Elena and Carly to your father-in-law’s house, and your sister is studying at a friend’s house,” she said, looking at me.
“‘Friend’s house’—yeah, I know what that means...” Eleonor smiled. “I studied at plenty of ‘friends’ houses when I was Emma’s age,” I said, smiling, then left the kitchen.
I grabbed my phone from my bag and went out into the garden. I sat down on the grass and called Matthew. It didn’t take long for him to answer.
“Hey, love! Are you already back at the office?” he asked as soon as he picked up.
“So, baby... I’m calling to let you know I’m in no condition to go back to work today.”
“What happened? Did something happen?”
I took a deep breath and ran my fingers through my hair.
“We’ll talk when you get home.”
“Love, what happened? Is something wrong? I’m coming over right now.”
“There’s no need, baby. Everything’s fine. We’ll talk when you get here. Kisses!”
“Hey, hey, don’t forget that I love you.”
I smiled as I heard his voice.
“I love you too. Never forget that.”
After hanging up, I got up and went upstairs. I took the test result from my bag and placed it on the nightstand beside the bed, then headed to the shower.
I put on a little matching outfit—shorts and a cropped top that made my breasts stand out—and that’s when I realized: my breasts were noticeably fuller than usual. I hadn’t noticed it this morning, but it was obvious now.
I stood in front of the mirror for a while, gently caressing my belly. I still couldn’t believe another life was growing inside me. And even though I didn’t know how things were going to turn out, he or she would be deeply loved. After all, this child had no fault in any of my mistakes, or in the reasons that led them to be here, inside me.
Then I laid down on the bed and eventually drifted off to sleep.
(...)
I woke up with someone gently running their fingers through my hair. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Matthew, sitting against the headboard—handsome, smelling good, and stroking my hair. My stomach sank instantly. I closed my eyes again, soaking in his tenderness, and then he kissed my forehead.
“Are you okay, love? Are you feeling anything?” he asked sweetly, looking at me.
Yes... I'm terrified of losing you.
I sat up quickly and threw my arms around him, holding him tightly. He hugged me back with just as much intensity, and my eyes filled with tears.
“Baby,” I said, pulling away and wiping my tears, “we need to talk.” I said seriously.
“You can talk, love. I’m here to listen.” His voice was calm and understanding.
I just didn’t know how long that calm would last.
I got up and started pacing the room, cracking my fingers, gesturing nervously, struggling to find the right words to begin.
But the truth was, there were no right words. There was no perfect way to start. And despite trying to keep it together, the tears started to fall uncontrollably.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he got up and hugged me, running his hand through my hair. “My love, I’m right here. You can tell me what you’re feeling,” he said gently as he held me close.
I pulled away, wiped my tears, and decided to go straight to the point. There was no use stalling anymore.
“Matthew, I’m…” I felt a lump in my throat, “I’m pregnant,” I said, my voice trembling. He looked at me in shock and sat down quickly on the edge of the bed. He seemed like he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.
“What do you mean you’re pregnant, Elizabeth?” he stood up fast. “There’s no way you’re pregnant—you know that.”
I lowered my head and began to cry.
“You cheated on me, Elizabeth? Is that why you forgave me? To get revenge later and feel even?” his voice cracked, and tears welled up in his eyes.
“No... I didn’t cheat on you. I never cheated on you,” I cried.
“Then tell me how? Explain it to me, Elizabeth. How are you pregnant if I can’t have kids anymore?” he asked, his voice serious and his eyes filled with tears.
“I don’t know, Matthew, I don’t know!” I sobbed, lowering my head as he sat down on the bed, covering his face with his hands.
“Is this baby mine, Elizabeth?” I looked away, and he stood up again, running his hands through his hair in frustration. “Tell me, baby. For God’s sake, tell me this baby is mine,” he pleaded, his voice desperate.
“I want so badly to say this baby is yours... but I can’t. Because I don’t know—I’m not sure!” I said, crying, and he stared at me, heartbroken, his eyes filled with tears.
“Then how, Elizabeth? If you say you never cheated on me, how can you not be sure this baby is mine?” Through my tears, I tried to explain everything Dr. Clarck had told me.
“So there’s a chance you’re carrying William’s baby?” I nodded silently, and he punched the wall.
“I don’t believe this—I just can’t believe this is happening!” he cried, pounding the wall again and again.
“Please, love…” I hugged him from behind. “There’s still a chance this baby is yours. It could be your child—our child,” I sobbed, and he pulled away from me.
“No, Elizabeth. This child isn’t mine, and you know it. There’s no way it’s mine,” he said, crying and looking me in the eyes. Then he turned and walked toward the door.
“Where are you going?” I asked through sobs, terrified.
“I need to get out... I need some air…” I stepped toward him. “Elizabeth, please... let me go,” he said, crying, and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
I ran after him barefoot.
“Matthew... Matthew, please wait!” I shouted as I ran down the stairs and opened the front door. “Matthew, please, wait!” I cried out, and he got into the car and drove away at full speed.
I stood there crying in front of the house, not even noticing my mother approaching.
“What happened, Elizabeth? Did you two fight?” she asked.
I threw my arms around her and began to cry harder as I told her about the pregnancy. She held me tightly, offering all the support she could, doing her best to calm me down.