Chapter Four

SHAWNA

“Why?” I chanted repeatedly as I sat on the toilet floor.

Of all the times the child could come, it chose when Damien had decided to divorce me. I had already signed the papers so there was no going back even if I told him the truth.

He was cruel and couldn't care less about me but I couldn't tell how he would react to the child.

I couldn't tell if he was going to accept our child and take me back or perhaps he'd take my child from me and kick me out.

There was also the possibility that he'd deny being the father or try to get rid of the baby.

I didn't want to think of him as such a terrible person but he didn't care about anyone but himself. Even if he did, I wasn't a part of that group of people.

I placed my hands on my stomach.

“The more I think about it, the scarier it gets. I can't afford to lose this baby after everything. I won't let him know the truth.”

Just then, I heard a ding on my phone and turned it on to see that I had received the money I had requested and I felt relief wash over her.

“My mum will be fine,” I muttered, tears rolling down my cheeks.

Tears of Joy for my mother and child and tears of pain because of my divorce and the fact that my child wouldn't get to grow up with his father.

I'll be fine. I looked at my stomach and smiled softly. “We'll be fine.”

+++

“Mum, I have something to tell you,” I said as I sat by her bed.

She looked at me with worry. “What is it? Did something happen?”

I sighed. “I already paid for your surgery.”

Her eyes beamed with joy. “Why did you make it sound as though something bad had happened?” She inquired as she sniffed.

“Mum… I'm divorcing Damien,” I told her and waited for her reaction before adding. “And I'm pregnant too.”

She still didn't say anything, making me worried. “Why aren't you saying anything, mum?” I asked.

My mom sighed, “I guess Eugene was right.”

“I didn't want you to worry, Mom, but now it's going to be alright,” I stated, holding back the tears in my eyes.

“What about your child?” she queried.

“He doesn't love me, Mom, it's been two years. Is a child really going to change that?” I asked her, my voice breaking at the end.

My mom nodded, “I'm so sorry you have to go through all this, my love.”

A sigh of relief washed through me, “I knew you'd understand. I was so worried you wouldn't.”

My mom shook her head, “I know you, love, before you agreed to the divorce you must have tried your best to make it work.”

Finally the tears rolled down my cheeks at her words, “I really did, Mom.”

“Come here, my darling, it will be fine,” my mom pulled me into a hug, patting my back softly.

“We’ll move away after the surgery and I'll help you raise your baby. You will also find a man who will love you for yourself, Shawna, you're an incredible daughter and I know someone would see that soon,” my mom added.

I wrapped my arms around her, tears rolling down my cheeks. “I love you, mum. Thank you.”

“It's almost time for the surgery,” the nurse came in and I stood up, wiping my eyes.

“Your mom is going to be alright,” the nurse said kindly.

“Thank you,” I smiled at her.

“I'll be outside the surgery room,” I told her before walking out while they prepared her for the surgery.

While waiting, I dialed Liam who had told me to let him know when my mother was being taken into the surgery room because his work wouldn't let him be there.

“Is it time?” He inquired over the phone.

“Yes, they're just preparing her for the surgery,” I told him with a sigh of relief. “By the way, I’m pregnant for Damien—”

“What?” he interrupted me sharply.

“Yeah but we're divorced now,” I added.

“Wait… what?” He yelled even louder. “How'd that happen? Does he know?”

“No, he doesn't and will never know. I'll explain in detail when we meet and also after my mum gets discharged, I'll be leaving town with her—” I paused when I saw my mum being rolled out of her ward. “—I’ve got to go. Talk to you later.”

“Okay,” He said and I hung up.

+++

It had been a week since my mum's surgery and it was the day she was to be discharged. Finally, we could leave this town.

Damien had offered me a one-month stay in his house but I had left the night I found out I was pregnant for my mum's house. Even though it was run down, it was better than staying with that asshole.

“Oh boy! What is she doing here,” I muttered when I saw Eugene walking out of a doctor’s office and my jaw dropped when I saw who she was with.

“What is she doing with Damien?” I muttered in shock, tempted to march over to them and demand an explanation but I had to remind myself we were separated. Whatever they did was none of my business.

I watched as Damien walked off in the opposite direction and just when Eugene was about to follow suit, she noticed me and walked towards me.

I should have left.

“Wow, I didn't think I'd see you here,” She said with a smug smile on her face.

“Neither did I,” I said, giving her the fakest smile possible. “Now, out of my way,” I said before increasing my pace.

“Don't you want to know why Damien and I are at the hospital together?” She inquired with a raised brow.

I wanted to tell her that I wasn't curious but the curiosity was eating at me. Regardless, I continued walking knowing she would tell me even if I didn't ask.

“I'm pregnant with his child.”

I froze and slowly turned to face her, “What?” I inquired.

“You heard me. He's been cheating on you for so long but you were too stupid to notice or maybe you thought he cared enough about you to wait for you to give him a child,” She scoffed.

I opened my mouth to speak but all I did was gape at her like a fish out of water. Of all the hurtful things for Damien to do to me, it was getting my step-sister pregnant.

“You’re stealing my home just like your mother stole my mom’s home,” I muttered with a sad smile.

“Oh, shut up, loser! I didn't steal anything. Everyone knows that Damien paid you go divorce him so take your gold-digging ass and leave this place!” Eugene mocked.

As I turned to walk away, Eugene's next words broke me.

“Also, we’re getting married soon,” she announced happily, “I would invite you but you might poison me.”

My legs suddenly felt like lead as I crumbled to the ground, tears rolling down my eyes. Two years of marriage just ended like that and it took him one week to move on.

Well played, Damien.