Chapter 39: She's Pregnant
1195words
Scarlett has really changed. I don't recognize her anymore. I know I made mistakes, but I wasn't the first guy to break a woman's heart. Why can't she forgive me? What happened to her in Mexico? Who hurt her this badly? Why can't she let go of the past? I have so many questions, but no answers. I have tried looking into her life in Mexico—where she stayed, who she spent time with, how she managed on her own—but nothing. It's like only she knows what really happened.
I saw the so-called Hernandez Davarosa's profile online, but still found nothing on Scarlett, despite her being widely known as the "wife of the devil" in Mexico, according to my friend, Mark.
'You are back early," my mom's voice broke through my thoughts. I was so lost in my head that I hadn't even noticed her in the living room.
'Good day, Mom," I greeted, avoiding her question as I headed upstairs.
'I want to talk, Nate," she said.
'Can it wait? I'm not in the mood to talk," I replied, stopping halfway up the stairs.
'It's about Everleigh. Don't you think you should reconsider?" she asked.
'She gave me the divorce papers, didn't she? So why should I rethink anything?" I said.
'Because it seems like you want it just as much. I don't want you two to separate, especially with her condition."
'I don't care about your opinion anymore, mother. You have done enough already," I said firmly and continued upstairs.
'She is pregnant," she said softly. I froze, turning to look at her. 'Yes, son. She is carrying your child. Do you really want to be separated from your child?"
'Shit!" I muttered under my breath and hurried into the room.
When I opened the door, I saw Everleigh packing her bags. She moved slowly, her every motion heavy, like she was chained. She wiped her eyes and tossed the clothes in her hand onto the bed. She saw me, but kept packing, shoving clothes into the suitcase without bothering to fold them. I shut the door behind me.
'Hey," I said, moving toward her. She ignored me. I stepped behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist, and buried my face in her neck. 'I'm sorry," I whispered.
She stopped. 'Stop this, Nathan. We are divorced," she said, trying to pull away.
'Not until I sign the papers."
'Then what's the holdup? Isn't this what you have always wanted?" she shot back, zipping up her suitcase.
'What if I don't want that anymore?"
She looked over her shoulder. 'You are still in love with Scarlett."
'I know. But what if we could work something out?" I suggested.
'Let me go!" She suddenly broke free from my arms. She faced me, her voice trembling. 'You don't know what you want, Nathan. You are still in love with your ex, yet you want me to stay? Are you out of your mind?"
'Won't it be difficult for you to be a single mother?" I asked.
'Now I get it. You don't want me; you just want the baby."
'I don't want you to leave. I promise I will keep my temper in check. Our child will be safe. I will give you everything you need—attention, love, gifts, massages, anything. Even sex, if that's what you want," I said, pulling her close again. 'You know we don't have to go through with the divorce, right? We have survived together for nine years. We have learned to tolerate each other. Why not keep going? What do you think?"
'I think you lost your mind somewhere," she said, trying to pull away again, but I kissed her instead.
'Do you think any other man could replace me?" I asked, tilting my head after the kiss.
She hesitated, then smiled slightly. 'You know I love you, right?"
'I have heard that a million times," I said, smiling back.
'No man could replace you, because you are one of a kind," she said, kissing me gently between words. 'Your heart doesn't need to beat for me, as long as you are by my side. Is that a deal?"
Instead of answering, I kissed her deeply, feeling her melt under my touch.
'Does that answer your question?" I asked.
'I want you inside me," she murmured, kissing me again.
It's so easy with her. She loves sex—especially with me. I wish my heart could skip a beat for her, even just a little. She is every man's dream. She loves with everything she has. Over the years, I have learned what it means for a woman to love a man unconditionally. But my heart still belongs to Scarlett, even though she doesn't want me anymore.
Two weeks later, I was sitting at my desk, working on my laptop. Today marked the 14th day since Scarlett's notice. My company hadn't recovered from its financial losses, let alone figured out how to pay a $5 million debt. The thought made me laugh sometimes. I didn't care what Scarlett planned to do next. She could have her way if she wanted.
My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. It was my mother.
'I'm busy, Mom," I said as I answered.
'It's Everleigh, son. She collapsed," she said, her voice shaky, as if she was holding back tears.
'What? How?" I asked, already shutting down my laptop.
'I don't know. She just collapsed. We need to take her to the hospital, please," she cried.
'I'm on my way. Stop crying," I said, grabbing my keys and rushing out of the office. How did this happen? Is it because of the pregnancy? What could have caused it?
***
I sat beside Everleigh's hospital bed, holding her hand after the doctor had examined her. She was still unconscious. The doctor said it wasn't uncommon for pregnant women to experience fainting spells. This was going to be tough. I had never cared for a pregnant woman before.
'Nathan?" Everleigh called softly as she woke up. I held her hand tighter.
'You are awake. You nearly gave me a heart attack," I said, and she smiled weakly.
'Were you worried about me or the baby?" she asked.
'Do you really think I would only be worried about a baby I have not seen yet?" I asked and she nodded. "You are ridiculous. I'm not that heartless, okay? I care about you. If something happened to you, I would be devastated," I said firmly.
At that moment, my phone rang again. It was my mom.
'I have told you, she's fine," I said, frustrated before she could speak. Since I brought Everleigh to the hospital, she has called a thousand times to know how she was doing.
'It's Scarlett. She brought men with her and says we have to leave the house. You need to come home," she cried.
'Shit!" I cursed.
'What's wrong?" Everleigh asked.
'Scarlett. She is trying to kick us out," I said, standing up.
'Will you be alright?" she asked.
'I will try to stop her. I don't have the money right now. I will be back," I said, kissing her forehead before hurrying out.
