Cara’s POV
“Voicemail,” I said to the doctor, dialing his number again. The same thing happened again, and I drew my phone gently from my ear.
“It’s fine. He’s home today anyway. I’ll just head home and tell him about it.”
Doctor Mary nodded. “That’s better. Let him know I am truly happy for him—for the both of you. And I can’t wait for you to start your antenatal care. We have some of the best gynecologists that the state has to offer.”
I nodded, the smile growing on my face as I rose from the chair and headed out.
I was pregnant. I was freaking pregnant! It had finally happened after two harrowing years! I didn’t have to wait any longer.
An utter sense of glee took over my entire body as I made my way out of the hospital and into my car. Everything around me was suddenly full of color for some reason, and I couldn’t help but enjoy the painfully mundane activities I was already used to. I drove out of the hospital parking lot and joined the highway, goosebumps still visible all over my arms and my entire body.
The road stretched out before me, the sun kissing the world on the horizon. It was a whole new world now. One I couldn’t wait to explore with my baby. I placed my right hand on my stomach, still scared that I might wake up from this dream anytime soon.
My phone rang, and I connected it to the car’s stereo. It was Doctor Mary.
“Hey, Doc. I’m still on my way home,” I said, my voice laced with faint laughter.
“Ms. Stone—think—someone—”
I frowned. “Doc, I can’t hear you. Reception is terrible. Can you hear me?”
“I’m s—hurry—someone’s—you—go—”
“Doc, I’ll have to call you when I get home. I seriously can’t hear anything you’re saying.”
“Cand—yo—me?”
“I still can’t hear you, Doc. I’ll call you soon, when I’m out of this area.”
I hung up the call, putting both hands back on the steering wheel and letting myself wonder what she wanted to talk about for a moment. Soon, I forgot about it and let my mind return to the present. To this moment—one I was severely enjoying.
I couldn’t wait to get home. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Henry’s face when I finally told him. Two years of continuous pain and dashed hopes were finally beginning to pay off. The drive home was a breeze, and I didn’t feel the slightest fatigue as I parked my car in the garage. I jumped out of the car, almost hitting the roof with my head, and dashed to the front porch. The door was unlocked, and I pushed it open, walking in. A tiny part of me was apprehensive as I walked into the house.
What if he didn’t react well to the artificial insemination?
He had every reason not to. I had done the entire thing behind his back. Granted, I was scared and extremely doubtful. I didn’t want to see that disappointed look on his face one more time. As I walked into the foyer and headed to the key holder, I prayed that my husband was able to understand why I took this step.
I dropped my keys in the foyer, still giddy, and hurried on to the living room. That’s when I saw it—a pink women’s shirt, resting on the biggest couch in the living room. A mild frown covered my face.
Well, that wasn’t mine.
The entire living room was a mess, with some pieces of furniture displaced from where they usually stood. My eyes returned to the pink shirt, and I felt my heart start to race endlessly. Something about it looked familiar, but for some reason, I was too confused at the moment to place it.
What’s happening?
I slowly looked around the cluttered living room again as I made my way up the stairs. Even the couch pillows weren’t where they were supposed to be. Something was happening here.
Then I started to hear it. At first, it was faint, but as I moved up even further, it grew clearer, and I didn’t mistake it for what it was—loud female moans coming straight from the bedroom.
Oh God.
I hurried up the stairs and moved even closer to the door, my heart beating like it was going to jump straight out of my chest. The moans grew louder, and the voice making them grew even clearer.
“Oh, Henry—Yes, Henry.”
Wait. I knew that voice.
It was Patricia. My best friend.
Cara’s POVI stand still, watching Mary continue to break down as I register the news that Wesley Morano is on his way to the hospital. “Why do you even have his sperm cells in the first place? Or is that privileged too?” “No, he's—he’s looking for a surrogate. A consenting surrogate and we've been helping him find one for a while. He entered into a contract with the hospital and deposited some of his sperm cells with us.”“Oh my God, Mary, this is serious. And he's on his way?” Mary lowers herself onto the floor of her office, resting her forehead on her arms and I hear her start to sob gently. “I'm screwed, Cara. I'm really screwed.” I stare at her, worry and pity starting to slowly crash into me. Like me, Doctor Mary Snow is an orphan. In the two years I started to see her, we've grown close and had become really close friends. She's told me stories about the challenges and struggles she had to face while climbing up the medical doctor ladder. We became close friends because w
Cara’s POV“Oh thank God you're here.” I can practically hear the relief in Doctor Mary's voice when I walk into her office once again. I study her for a few seconds as she rises from her chair. Asides the fearful expression written all over her face, her hair is in slight disarray and I can see the balls of sweat rolling down her forehead, even from afar. “Cara, I cannot begin to explain just how terribly sorry I am about this. I didn't know until it was too late and I called you immediately I found out—”“Doctor, what's going on?”Doctor Mary ran her hands through her red hair and looked straight at me. “There was—There was a mistake at the lab during the insemination process.” I feel my heart start to beat harder in my chest. Today has been a rollercoaster of emotions and if the doctor is about to say what I think she's going to say, I might just lose it, right here and now in her office.“Are you trying to say I'm not pregnant?” I ask, deciding to jump the gun instead. “What? N
Cara’s POV“Henry, what are you doing?” I ask, staring blankly at him. I am beginning to realize slowly right now, the depths of hatred my husband has for me. “What part of she's pregnant do you not understand?” Henry's harsh words take me aback. I'm still standing in the middle of the room, shock and pure anger climbing into me with every passing minute. “You're going to take her own side over your wife?” I ask, staring at him—at his empty and brown eyes. I know, almost immediately in that moment, that whatever Henry felt for me before is long gone. “Do not bite more than you can chew, wife” Henry continues, the last word exiting his mouth with sheer contempt. “Ever since she told me about the pregnancy, she's become more important than you. At least she can carry a baby and not lounge around the house like a useless piece of garbage.” I feel my throat close up at Henry's harsh and pointy words. “At least garbage is useful sometimes for composting. You're more useless than garba
Cara’s POVTears of rage fill my eyes as I remain frozen by the door, unable to move. My husband and my best friend. I feel my throat close up even more as the thought sinks further into me. My husband and my best friend!How could they do this to me? How could he do this to me? Why? Why today of all days?I don't gather enough courage to break into the room. I don't want to face the aftermath of this. Their moans continue to grow louder and fill my ears even more, torturing the depths of my soul. Here I am, standing right at the door of my bedroom, unable to enter because Henry had decided to hurt me this much. Of course. It was why he decided to stay home today. Because he already planned to do this with Patricia today. And he thought I wouldn't find out, which I truly wouldn't if I didn't get the news about my pregnancy and rushed hom from work today. Their moans subside and now all I can hear are their loud and satisfied pants. It's like listening to nails on a chalkboard. Ev
Cara’s POV“Voicemail,” I said to the doctor, dialing his number again. The same thing happened again, and I drew my phone gently from my ear.“It’s fine. He’s home today anyway. I’ll just head home and tell him about it.”Doctor Mary nodded. “That’s better. Let him know I am truly happy for him—for the both of you. And I can’t wait for you to start your antenatal care. We have some of the best gynecologists that the state has to offer.”I nodded, the smile growing on my face as I rose from the chair and headed out.I was pregnant. I was freaking pregnant! It had finally happened after two harrowing years! I didn’t have to wait any longer.An utter sense of glee took over my entire body as I made my way out of the hospital and into my car. Everything around me was suddenly full of color for some reason, and I couldn’t help but enjoy the painfully mundane activities I was already used to. I drove out of the hospital parking lot and joined the highway, goosebumps still visible all over
Cara’s POV“Congratulations, Mrs. Stone. You’re two weeks pregnant.”My eyes blurred out as I heard the words drop from Doctor Mary’s lips. The same happened with my ears. It was like my mind disappeared, and I was unable to hear or see anything anymore. I could still feel my body, glued to the seat in the doctor’s office. I could still perceive the smell of the mild antiseptic around me. I could feel the wave of cold from the air conditioning fastened to the wall behind the doctor.But I couldn’t see or hear anything.“Mrs. Stone.” Doctor Mary’s voice echoed out to me, gently—quietly. I was still too dazed to answer. Was this really happening?“Mrs. Stone.” Doctor Mary called out again, her voice still distant and soft. A new kind of fear descended into me. What if I opened my mouth and it all went away? What if I woke up in my bed back home and found out it was all a dream?“Mrs. Stone!” Doctor Mary’s voice became louder and clearer, bringing me back to the present—to the doctor’s o