CHAPTER THREE

Amelia's POV

The facial expression of the doctor was convincing enough.

"You might be pregnant, Amelia!! You might be pregnant!" she said, standing up from her seat and walking towards me.

Yeah, I think so too; I suspected it, although it came as a shock.

"After the timeless wait, you'd have your own anytime soon. It's a big shame to your haters, girl! The doctor said, laughing loudly and obviously not sensing how bad I felt this situation was. I had turned pale.

I turned to face her slowly. "What's the possibility of a wrong result, Julie? I mean... this is my first, so complications may have arisen or something."

I watched as her excited mood turned sour immediately, her eyebrows furrowing. "Umm, yeah, that’s possible, Amelia. Your pregnancy test report, can you go get it? Let’s be one hundred percent sure."

Phew, I felt a bit relieved and hopeful by the doctor's words; I felt my palms starting to get sweaty and my face pale as ever. Minutes later I was back, already seated and reading through the printed words. The doctor perched on the chair with me, squinting her eyes as she peered through the report.

"That says it all, my dear friend; you're heavy," the doctor said in a whisper close to my ears.

Now I was upset. This just couldn't be. How can it? Not a few days until the lawyer's first meeting.

"You look pale, too shocked to scream?" The doctor, a childhood friend of mine, finally asked.

I faked a smile, struggling to my feet. "I'm fine, Julie..."

"No, you're not! You don't look fine.” The doctor said, looking at me with concern.

"I'll get in touch with you as soon as I can," I replied, turning towards the door and heading out with the test report.

"Watch the busy road, dear; you're with the child of a magnate, you know!! Congrats!" the doctor's voice rang out as I scurried past the hallway leading to the large entrance to the clinic.

I considered an abortion but shook my head vehemently against the awful decision. Eighteen years old and fresh from high school, I just couldn't take that mark so early in my life.

There was just one person in my mind.

James.

I was just too sure that he was in Isabel's hospital room, and as I got there, my guess was confirmed by the half-dozen bodyguards that stood post at the entrance door.

"Hi," I greeted as I came close to one of the guards. "I'd really love to..."

"You can't get inside," the guard snapped, his face straight.

I squeezed my eyebrows, worried about this. "What do you mean? I just want to..."

"He strictly ordered that you stay away from Isabel," the guard replied, cutting me short.

I slapped my forehead, shutting my eyes for a brief moment. "Okay, fine. Just tell him I need to speak to him alone; it's really urgent."

For the first time, the guard dropped his gaze to my face, furrowing his eyebrow and turning to get into the room.

Seconds later he walked out. "He's refused your request, stating that Isabel would be highly displeased if he came out to meet you. Please leave, ma'am."

I was heartbroken but not surprised. He had been avoiding my calls since the incident, and as I turned to leave, it struck me that I'd be leaving the country that very day, and if I failed to tell him about the baby that day, then I probably never would.

I waited for him in the lobby, watching as people walked past me. A sense of unease slowly crept over me as the air grew thick and heavy. A terrifying wind began to blow, howling like a beast, forcing some papers in a doctor's hand to fly away in the direction of the wind. Heavy rain pounded against rooftops, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to warm up, but the cold seeped into my marrow. I wondered if I'd made a mistake by waiting.

As people passed by the lobby, the cold seemed to seep in further, wrapping itself around me like a damp shroud. The cold air seemed to cling to the strangers who hurried past the lobby, their footsteps echoing off the marble floor as they brought the winter's bite into the lobby with them.

I shivered, stammering James's name in the cold. With each new arrival, the chill deepened, until I felt like I was sitting in a cold, dark well.

After what seemed like hours, I caught sight of the ever-charming James walking out of the hospital room, his eyes locking with mine for just a brief moment, but he jolted, raising his head up and hiding in the midst of his able-bodied guards.

"James! James, please listen to me. James!" I called, trailing behind the guards as they walked eagerly to his convoy.

I heard a command from him. "Don't let her close; do all you can to ensure that."

"James!" I called again, not wanting to give up on my lover as I ran towards him with all I've got, but he was blockaded by the guards around him, one of them even hitting my cheekbone violently.

They finally got to the car and drove off, but I wasn't deterred.

"James!" I called again, chasing after the car in the muddy water that had formed along the road. I struggled to get to the bumper of the car, placing my hand on it.

"Drive faster!" He ordered, and as they did so, I tripped and fell on the muddy water.

I found myself walking through the front door of my house, the cold evening air clinging to my muddy clothes. I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. The events of the day had taken a toll on me, and I couldn't wait to collapse onto my bed.

As I made my way to my bedroom, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My clothes were soaked and muddy, my hair was disheveled, and my face was streaked with dirt. I looked like a mess.

I didn't bother to clean myself up. I just sank onto my bed, feeling the softness of the mattress envelop me. I closed my eyes, letting the weariness wash over me.

I was supposed to leave the country the next day. But how could I take care of a child all alone? The thought sent a wave of panic through me. I knew I needed help, but who could I turn to?

I scrolled through my contacts on my phone, searching for someone, anyone, who could help me. But as I scrolled, I realized that I didn't have anyone to turn to. My friends were all busy with their own lives, and my family... Well, I couldn't exactly count on them.

I thought about my parents, but I quickly discarded the idea. I had always been an independent woman, and I didn't want to ask for help. Besides, I didn't want to stress them.

As the thoughts swirled in my head, I felt my eyelids growing heavy. I was tired, so tired. With dizzy eyes I let myself drift off to sleep, the worries and fears of the day still lingering in my mind.

But my rest was short-lived. The next morning, my hair still messy, I was jolted awake by a very loud and unusual knock on the door.

My eyes flared and my heart raced when I saw James standing outside the door, his face reddened.