Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“I’m Dr. Martin,” the doctor says. “I asked Mr. Gerard to leave the room but he refused.”
Cosette sighs. “I’m not surprised.”
“I’m told we need a pregnancy test?”
“So he says,” Cosette responds.
I turn on her. “Are you kidding me? You had me call this doctor all the way out in the middle of the night and you don’t even know—”
“Mr. Gerard.” The doctor’s sharp voice could freeze fire. “Cosette is my client. And while I promised confidentiality, I cannot allow you to abuse my patient in my presence.”
I can tell by Cosette’s wide-eyed stare that we both hear the caveat “in my presence” loud and clear.
No one talks to me that way.
Who the hell did my mother send here?
Cosette clears her throat. “Anyway, you were jumping to conclusions, Lyam. I am not lying. I only reason I chose the words ‘so he says,’ was because you’re the one that says we need a test. I don’t need one, because I’m very well aware of the fact that I’m pregnant.” She lifts her beautiful chin defiantly and stares at me. “So there’s no need for you to go all caveman on me. Not now, anyway.” If rolling your eyes was a tone of voice, she just used it.
The doctor looks from me to her then back again and rubs her hands together. “Well, then. Let’s get on with this, shall we?”
Cosette blanches.
“Do you need to do a blood test?”
I stand next to her and cross my arms over my chest. It goes against every grain in my body not to give her comfort and consolation right now. The entire paradigm of why she’s here is beginning to shift, and I’m not happy about that.
“No, at least not for a pregnancy test. Urine tests are less expensive and more accurate and will provide a faster result.”
“Do it,” I snap.
Both the doctor and Cosette side-eye me.
“Mr. Gerard, I’d really like you to consider leaving the room, please. You’re making my job more difficult.”
“Give. Her. The. Test.”
Cosette, however, is unperturbed. “He can stay. It’s his baby, after all, whether he needs a test to prove it to himself or not.”
“Ah. Yes, but if we get a negative, we will have to move on to a blood test. A paternity test will also involve a sample of blood from you, Cosette, and swab from you, Lyam.”
Cosette nods. “That’s fine.”
How long has she known? Did she betray us before or after she found out?
“Do you need to accompany her into the bathroom so she doesn’t escape? Make sure she doesn’t cheat on the test?” Dr. Martin asks wryly.
Cosette opens the bathroom door and gestures to the barred windows. “No fear of that here. Is there a way to cheat on the test?”
She smiles wryly. “No.”
This is the last fucking time this doctor’s setting foot in this house.
A minute later, Cosette opens the door and the doctor and I enter.
We all stand in various forms of awkward silence as she dips a stick into the cup. Cosette yawns as if bored, but I know she’s probably exhausted, too. I check my phone and pretend I’m busy doing something, but I’m actually searching how to cheat on a pregnancy test.
Turns out the doctor’s right.
I send my mother a text. If I know her, she’s probably still up, wondering what’s going on.
Me:
Where the hell did you find this woman? At a walk for women’s rights?
Maman:
Haha. She’s good at what she does. Trustworthy. Doesn’t put up with any nonsense. She’s Louisa Myles’s daughter. You remember her?
Me:
Ahh.
Our family medic for years before my father passed away and she retired.
“Well, folks,” the doctor says pleasantly, holding up the test. “That’s a pretty clear positive.”
Cosette smiles victoriously.
I blink.
“Are we keeping the baby?” the doctor asks.
“Yes,” we say in unison.
I glare at Cosette. She glares back. We’re not supposed to be on the same team.
Keep the baby.
Keep the baby?
As if that’s even a question.
Wait. I haven’t even gotten the paternity test back yet and I’m already jumping to the assumption the baby’s mine.
Whose else would it be?
I’d have to find him and kill him.
“Congratulations, Mr. Gerard. Your mother will be thrilled.” She beams, holding up the test.
She goes on about things like prenatal care and vitamins and checkup visits, but I hardly hear it.
“Lyam?” Cosette asks. I ignore the smug look on her face.
For now.
I look at Cosette. “Did you hear what she said? She asked if you want her to take care of my prenatal care here or elsewhere?”
“Here but I want an option for an office visit if necessary. This changes nothing.”
Cosette flinches but quickly recovers and turns back to the doctor. They talk about nausea and hydration and a bunch of other things I barely listen to. My mind races with questions and possibilities.
“That’s it then for now,” the doctor says, rising as she gives me a smile. “Again, I tell no one else any more details. Good night, Mr. Gerard. I’ll see myself out.”