Chapter 52 :

Chapter 52 :
\-ZOEY ASHFORD-

Blurry vision, weak... My head feels really heavy.

I groaned loudly, moving in the bed, while reaching out to rub my forehead.

"Zoey... Are you okay? Do you feel pain anywhere?"

Mariah asked beside me.

"I feel... weak"

That's all I could say.

"Of course... That's the result of being pregnant"

I stopped rubbing my forehead..My eyes snapping open and vision becoming clear.

I turned my gaze to her, a slight frown forming on my face.

"What did you just say?"

"You heard me, Zoey... You are pregnant, four weeks pregnant"

She dropped the bombshell and I felt a loud bang on my head.

"No..no.. I'm not pregnant.. there's no way I'm pregnant"

I denied, shaking my head sideways.

"Then, would you say the doctors' tests are fake? You are pregnant, Zoey. I won't sugarcoat things but I'm really disappointed in you"

At first, I thought this was all just a joke... She's probably teasing me. I have a fever and nothing else.

But after she showed the test results to me, my whole world crumbled before my eyes.

How can I be pregnant?... No, that can't be true.

"I can't be pregnant, Mariah. There's no way I will be pregnant..."

I burst into tears but she didn't reach out to console me.

I have never seen Mariah stare at me with so much disappointment.

But, I'm doomed.

Here I am trying to stay away from the men who almost ruined my life.. Now I'm pregnant.

"Crying won't solve anything. You know what, I'll just go to my department and take off my uniform. When I return, I'll have your discharge papers ready and we go back home. Then, we can talk properly"

She stood up to leave but I caught her hand.

"Mariah.."

She didn't look at me.. "We'll talk to him, Zoey. Here isn't the right place to talk"

With that, she left me to wallow in my pain and confusion while staring at the test result as if it's some kind of fabricated document.

_________________

"Here, have some porridge"

She pushed a bowl of porridge towards me but I didn't make an attempt to reach out to it even if I'm tempted to start munching on it.

"What? Does it irritate you? I'll take it back then"

I stopped her before she could.

"I'm not irritated by it... I'm just... It's okay, I'll start eating"

I pulled the plate closer and scooped some quantity of the porridge.

With a soft sigh, she sat across from me, resting her arm on the table.

"The doctor said you passed out due to stress and he urged us to pay more attention to you and the baby"

My brows creased.

"Us? Who?"

"Your men, Zoey... Chase, Wes and I were all at the hospital, worried sick about you"

"How can they be at the hospital?.. You didn't have to call them over, Mariah"

She sucks teeth.

"Apparently, you called Chase thinking you were speaking to me. According to him, he rushed over at once. Turns out, I also called Wes when I couldn't reach you and I had urgent hospital duties to run..."

I dropped the spoon and crossed my arms over my chest in anger.

"What exactly are you angry about, Zoey?" She asked.

"Everything. I'm just annoyed right now"

"That's the pregnancy hormones kicking in" She teased and chuckled.

I kept a straight face, not finding it funny at all.

"Is that supposed to be a joke right now, Mariah?"

She waved her hands in the air, sniffling back laughter.

"I'm sorry, I just find everything so funny..It's like I'm watching a real life complicated drama"

I scoffed and rolled my eyes at her.

"Anyway, just so you know, the doctor said you need a lot of rest and special treatments of love, care and support. You need rest, Zoey. Discard all disturbing thoughts and don't get emotionally worked up.."

She paused and passed me a glass of water because I suddenly started choking.

She waited until everything has subsided before continuing.

"You need healthy foods and fruits for nourishment. Speaking of care and support, I need your answer , Zoey... Who is responsible for your pregnancy?"

I almost choked again.. I thought I could avoid that question but I guess I can't. I can't escape that from Mariah.

Not when she's staring suspiciously at me.

"This porridge tastes bland... It needs more spice"

"The porridge has all the ingredients to make it sweet. Don't use those little tricks to deceive me, Zoey. This is important and I need honest answers..."

I straightened up on my seat.

"Who is responsible for your pregnancy, Zoey.... Is it Chase?.. or Wes?"

I looked away from her.

I know I should be ashamed of myself right now. I've had that thought since Mariah broke the news of being pregnant to me in the hospital.

I've had just one night with both men.

Wes is my first.. but does that guarantee he's the father of my child?

As for Chase.. We met a week after and I was so careless to open up to him.

Does that also guarantee that he's my baby's father?

I didn't know either. I wouldn't know until then child is born and a proper DNA test is carried out.

I don't have the right calculation.. I just can't predict.

"Zoey.. you still haven't given an answer" Mariah's voice brought me back to reality.

"I don't know, Mariah. I have no idea who the father of my unborn child is. I mean, I met with both men almost at the same time. Just an interval of a week".

Mariah stared at me as if I'd suddenly grown two horns. I know this is awkward for a lady to be about who the father of her child is.

"You are so unbelievable, Zoey... Sleeping with two men for almost the same period?... Shouldn't you have known better not to have given yourself out so easily?"

"I was carried away"..

"You were too carried away and let your emotions get the best of you. Hell, and out of all the men out there, it had to be those who deceived?.. I expected much more from you, Zoey"

That broke me.

"I'm sorry.."

"You haven't done anything.. I just didn't expect you to end this way. Meanwhile, about care and support.. I don't think I'd be fit enough to provide you that. You know how my work is.. Tedious and time consuming as well. Plus, you can't do this all by yourself"

"What do you suggest, Mariah?"

"I suggest we call the guys together and have a proper discussion.."

"No.. we won't do that "

"Yes we will. You are listening to me this time around, Zoey. We're calling the guys together.. I don't care if they turn here into a boxing field.. but we must all have a conversation "

I wanted to argue but I couldn't bring myself to. Perhaps, I should simply let her make decisions for me.

I've made decisions myself and I totally regret ever making those decisions.

"Fine!"

I mumbled, eating from my bowl of porridge.