la, kept her confined to, but by the storm brewing inside her. She had missed her period, and strange, unsettling symptoms were beginning to em

dy wracked with another bout of nausea. She barely heard the crea

nded, her eyes narrowing as she took i

ng to steady herself. "I'm just not feeling well," s

for days now. You're not just sick. There's somethin

e pregnancy test in her hands. The silence in the room was deafening as they waited f

d to be sucked out of the room. Emma's heart

issed, her voice low and menacin

she stammered. She genuinely wasn't sure. The night with Ethan had been

ated, her voice rising. "You're lying to me, Emma. You're going

her in her room with nothing but water for four days. Each day dragged on, the

e. "It might be Ethan," she whispered, her voice barely audi

ing look. "Ethan," she repeated, almost to herself. "The same E

er stepmother gripping her arm tightly. The grand building loomed over th

The receptionist, taken aback by her aggressive demeanor, quickly

expression darkening when he saw Emma and Mrs. Ta

Emma forward. "Tell

or some semblance of understanding. "Ethan, I.

nst the floor. "What are you talking about?" he demanded, his eyes flashing wi

the truth. She hasn't been with anyone

ty? For what? A one-night mistake? No,

t Ethan might show some compassion, some recognition of their share

y, her voice trembling. "I'm sc

's not my concern. I'm not g

mma's arm. "You'll regret this,"

ir settle over her. The situation had gone from bad to w