Chapter 20

Clara's POV

I tried to quickly reset my thoughts by closing my eyes.

No, my understanding was incorrect. Most likely, it was merely the side effects of whatever prescription they had prescribed.

"Attached?" Derek enquired about further details.

The doctor said, "Yes."

Expectant? It's not possible. I would be more inclined to trust someone if they had informed me that I had a brain tumor.

"Her pregnancy is around three weeks along." Plus, the doctor said.

I looked at the doctor, stunned by what he had said, and my mouth fell open.

For three weeks? That was about when I encountered Derek, but how could I be pregnant when there had been no history of anything between us? Was there anything that happened that I can't seem to recall?

"You are pregnant, as proven by her blood test results." The physician comforted us.

I wanted to laugh, but then I realized how serious this whole thing was.

Was this only a joke? Was Derek preparing a retaliation against me? I mean, this entire pregnancy deception was initiated by me.

Perhaps I was still in my dreams.

"And you're certain that's her outcome?" Derek inquired.

"Mr. Montenegro, what suggestions do you have? that we're not proficient in our roles?" The physician inquired.

Derek was cut off. With a heavy sigh, he bent his head and nervously ran his hands through his hair.

We didn't say anything as I gradually accepted reality.

After a while, Derek said, "I need to breathe."

He repositioned his chair and left the room.

I was startled when he slammed the door.

His response showed me he was as surprised by this as I was.

Perhaps he was unrelated to this.

I cleared my voice to get the doctor's attention and sat straight.

"I believe you were mistaken. No, I'm not expecting it," I told him.

"You are, indeed," he said. "I understand that may be difficult for you to accept at first, but you'll come to see it as nothing more than a gift." He made a statement.

How on earth am I expecting?

Could there have been a relationship issue between Derek and me? No, I just slept off and woke up the following day. There has to be a problem.

Do you want me to contact any of your family members to come fetch you up? I'm going to get your discharge paperwork ready. I was startled out of my reverie by his question.

"No," with a head shake.

I didn't need to include my family in this mess.

It was about an hour before I was eventually allowed to go.

It was an hour, and I saw nothing of Derek. I could almost see his response upon his return. I could already see how many people he would accuse me of having slept with to get out of this.

I was unable to concentrate. I thought I was being secretly filmed for a reality TV program.

I have to figure out how to go home. The remainder of my belongings were likely still at the motel; all I had with me was my phone. All I wanted to do was go home and sleep. I hope that when I wake up, someone will explain that this was all a joke.

As soon as Derek entered, the door sprang open.

Two of his top buttons were unfastened, his shirt was untucked, and his typically well-maintained hair was dishevelled. It seemed as if they had just sentenced him to death. He hadn't taken this news lightly at all. I didn't think he would return.

"I'll let you go," Derek said.

Since I had few choices for getting home, I didn't dispute.

After gathering what little I had with me, I departed from the hospital room. I dragged my steps, and Derek trailed behind.

The doctor told me on our way out, "Remember to get lots of rest."

I continued to walk, attempting to remember everything that had transpired during the previous three weeks. But there was no explanation for how I might be pregnant.

Derek unlocked the passenger door, and I entered without any issues.

He must have told his driver to shut up.

We didn't talk throughout the whole drive, not even to break the ice with some music.

I could feel Derek's tension. His firm grip on the steering wheel and his complete focus on the road, devoid of eye contact with me, were clear indicators of it.

I was still highly perplexed about the entire incident, and I would have wanted to say anything to console him.

Finally, after 30 minutes, we arrived at my neighborhood.

"I'll be waiting for you at the corner." I gestured.

I didn't need my neighbors to start chatting behind my back. I would never hear the last of it since my mom would find out.

Derek stayed silent. To the side of the road, he drew the automobile. It was just a few minutes from my residence.

I stepped outside the automobile into the chilly air. I proceeded to my residence, rubbing my hands together to stay warm.

As I opened my house's gate, I saw his automobile still existed.

As I came in, the door made its typical breaking noise.

Laughter reached my ears from the kitchen.

I followed the noises to the kitchen, leaving my stuff on the couch.

Ivy was in the kitchen with Mom and Katy.

While Mom and Ivy made a salad, Katy sat at the kitchen counter and told some tales.

Ivy may have chosen to take the whole day off, but I had assumed she would work the late shift.

When I went in, the room became quiet.

Excited, Katy jumped off the counter.

"You never would have imagined what happened to me today, Clara." Katy came charging at me.

She grinned and looked at me, waiting for me to guess correctly.

"I'm a scholarship recipient," she said. "I'm moving to a private school, so I won't have to worry about anything. I'll even receive a personal driver and an allowance. They are prepared to support me through college." She went on.

My eyes expanded in amazement at her tale.

"I have no idea how this came to be. I hadn't even applied. They stated they were so happy with my performance that they wanted to assist me when they summoned me into the principal's office. The nicest part is that I was the only one chosen out of everyone in the school." She went on.

"Achievements!" I answered, emulating her enthusiasm.

It was just what she needed. She would be allowed to attend college and follow her goals.

"My dear, you have my undying admiration," Mom embraced Katy tightly.

I wanted to be joyful for my sister, but the doctor's remarks kept returning to me.

I faked a grin, trying not to overthink about it. I remained enmeshed in my universe.

"Are you OK, Clara? You don't seem very well. Mom enquired.

I lied and said, "I'm alright; I just had a busy day." I furrowed my brow. "Ivy, may I just take you away for a little while?" So I did.

Ivy placed the salad to one side and scrubbed her hands.

She went upstairs to my room after me.

Mom called after us, "Don't be too long; supper is nearly done."

I closed my door after looking to see if anybody was in the corridor.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to get up the nerve to say anything.

I said to Ivy in a whisper, "I'm pregnant."

Ivy gave me a perplexed look and then started laughing.

I looked at her, perplexed by her response.

"I've never heard anything funnier than this." She chuckled. Her cheeks were suddenly streaming with tears.

She kept giggling and flung herself into my bed. "Saint-virtue Clara is expecting a baby!" She chuckled.

She tried to massage the ache from laughing away by rubbing her tummy.

I said nothing, just staring at her like the crazy person that she was.

"You're not serious at all." At last, Ivy stopped giggling. She said, "We weren't intended to start you believing in rubbish; we were supposed to make him believe it."

Ivy didn't stop giggling. It took her a few minutes to understand that I was serious. At last, she was prepared to hear.

I recounted everything that came to me, beginning with my fainting.

Ivy's face was full of feelings, uncertainty, exhilaration, and confusion.

She questioned, "Clara Emily Owens, what did you do?"

She cast a critical glance at me.

"I replied that I hadn't done anything."

She said, "So, what, you just magically became pregnant?"

When she realized she had spoken too loudly, she covered her lips. The last thing I wanted was for my mother to learn about the situation.

How was I expected to tell her I was expecting Jesus's next child?

"There must be a mistake of some sort. I said, "I know I'm not pregnant.

"Physicians don't simply go about announcing that someone is pregnant. Are you certain that Derek and you had no interactions that evening? I'll go downstairs and tell your mother everything if you don't tell me right now so she may beat the living daylights out of you." She issued a warning.

"I would remember if I had slept with someone," I said.

I exhaled.

"After your most recent drink, you could not recall anything that had transpired. Did you have any alcohol that evening?" she inquired.

It seemed as if I was being questioned.

"No, I wouldn't drink and work," I said.

She took a little break. Her eyes expanded as if she had at last discovered the solution to the query.

"Is the father Waylen? Perhaps call him and let him know you are expecting his child." She said.

I raised my hands. What should I say, exactly? And I'm carrying your kid when we were holding hands?" I gave a caustic reply.

Ivy responded, "Okay, okay." "Maybe we should visit another doctor tomorrow to be sure you're not pregnant?" she inquired.

And now, for whatever reason.

With a nod.

I hope that this was all simply miscommunication. I couldn't be pregnant.

"Before your mother becomes suspicious, we must return." She said.

I gave another nod.

When Ivy and I returned downstairs, Mom was on the phone, and Katy was arranging the table.

"All right, I'm grateful," Mom said into the phone. At that, she hung up.

Mom exclaimed with delight.

Mom cried, "You can never believe what just occurred." I just signed a new contract with this renowned bakery. In addition to asking me to prepare cakes for some of their important occasions, they requested me to start selling my cakes there. It seems that someone suggested it to me." said Mom.

The family was thrilled to hear this news. It seemed like a generous offer. Finally, things seemed to be improving for us. Perhaps our financial troubles will all be resolved shortly.

Except for me, every member of this family seemed to be living a well-organized life.

I guess they needed to give me a little of their good fortune. Or maybe everything about this seemed too suspect. Could a day have so many positive events? Perhaps I was too used to awful things occurring to us to see this as a victory.

My cell twitched. When I took it out, Derek had texted me.

The message said, "We need to discuss."

____________________________ A/N: I appreciate your reading. Please cast your vote and leave a remark.