Chapter 4 - Rejected

Marietta’s POV

“I can’t believe you are still in bed!”

Michael’s voice cut through my groggy mind like a knife.

“And why haven’t you packed up earlier?” he demanded, his brow furrowed in frustration.

“Michael, I’m sick,” I murmured weakly, my body heavy with exhaustion.

“Are you aware that your flight is scheduled to take off five hours from now?!”

“I think I might have caught a fever last night.”

“Stop lying, Etta,” he snapped, his disbelief stinging me more than my fever.

“I’m not,” I bit back, my voice hoarse.

“You are leaving this afternoon. I’ll drive you to the airport, and you must leave even if you don’t want to!” Michael flared up and stormed out, his anger lingering in the air.

A bitter smile curled my lips. Michael driving me to the airport himself? How ironic.

“C’mon, Marietta, don’t be stupid. He just wants to make sure you leave,” I scoffed under my breath, closing the door behind him.

I dragged myself to the bed, my body aching. Maybe a short nap would help.

A few hours later, I checked my temperature.

“A hundred degrees?” I whispered in shock. “My fever is getting worse.”

Dropping my travel bag, I fumbled through my locker for medicine. But as soon as I popped a pill into my mouth, panic surged through me.

“Jesus! I almost forgot. I can’t use this.” I spit it out immediately, my heart pounding.

I was pregnant. I couldn’t take chances with my baby’s health.

I reached for my phone to check if the medicine was safe during pregnancy, but nausea struck suddenly. I barely made it to the bathroom before throwing up.

I wasn’t paying attention when my foot slipped on the wet tiles.

“Jeez! Fuck!” I winced as pain shot through my ankle. I clenched my teeth, gripping the sink for support.

From outside the bathroom, I heard Michael’s angry voice.

“What the hell is keeping her so late? Marietta, aren’t you supposed to be packed by now?!” he shouted.

I forced myself up and hobbled out, exhaustion and fever weighing me down.

Michael’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re not even dressed yet.”

Too weak to argue, I simply stood there.

“You know what? Get dressed. You’re leaving now,” he ordered, his patience worn thin.

Without waiting, he grabbed random clothes and stuffed them into my suitcase. I barely managed to slip into a dress before he grabbed my hand, dragging me downstairs.

As we reached the car, dizziness blurred my vision, and I barely remembered to ask him about the baby’s things. But deep down, I knew better—Michael didn’t want this baby.

Telling him about the pregnancy wasn’t an option. He’d probably suggest an abortion. And I wasn’t going to let that happen.

At the airport, Michael didn’t even step out of the car.

“Alex, walk her down,” he ordered his assistant, not sparing me a second glance.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling an unbearable emptiness.

Before I left, Alex turned to me with a polite bow. “According to my boss, Granny Lorette will deposit money into your account.”

“Oh… okay,” I blinked in disbelief. A part of me felt relieved, but another part ached at the coldness in Michael’s gesture.

“At least I’ll have something to survive on,” I whispered, clutching my stomach.

Alex hesitated before adding, “Granny Lorette also hopes you’ll call her once you arrive.”

I nodded weakly, stepping away from the only home I had ever known.

*************

A Month Later

I sighed as I waited for my roommate, Valerie, to finish her call. My heart pounded with anxiety.

“Valerie, please, could you help me with my rent? Just this once. I swear I’ll pay you back.”

Valerie rolled her eyes, clearly irritated. “Seriously? I already covered your rent last month, Etta. If you’re this broke, maybe acting isn’t for you.” She scoffed before leaving the room.

Her words stung.

Acting had always been my dream, but right now, I wasn’t sure if I could even afford to keep dreaming.

As the door slammed shut, I stared at my phone. I checked my bank app again.

Still no money.

“I don’t understand… why is my account frozen?” I whispered.

For weeks, I had been working part-time jobs, selling anything valuable I had left. But it wasn’t enough.

Tears welled up as I curled around my small baby bump. “I can’t do this… I can’t even afford my pregnancy checkup next week.”

I wiped my tears, staring at my phone’s contact list. There was only one person left to call.

Granny Lorette.

I dialed again. No answer. Again and again, but still, nothing.

Frustration and fear twisted inside me.

Biting my lip, I hesitated before dialing another number. The last person I wanted to call.

Michael.

The phone rang four times before he picked up.

“Michael?” I whispered.

His voice was cold. “What do you want?”

Hearing him after a month apart made my chest tighten painfully. But I swallowed my emotions.

“Did Grandmother change her number? I’ve been trying to reach her,” I asked cautiously.

A cruel chuckle came from the other end. “Oh, she changed it, alright.”

I frowned. “Why?”

Michael sneered. “Because of you.”

My heart dropped.

“I asked her to change it so you’d stop disturbing her. Thanks to Katty for the wise advice,” he said with obvious disdain.

Tears burned my eyes as his words sank in.

Granny Lorette… abandoned me too?

Michael’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Why did you call?”