Elaine I blew out a breath as I glanced out the window, and down the road, anxious. We just finished having dinner, and Cora was helping Finn with his homework. It was a little past eight, but I was still holding out hope that Max would show up. I'd sent him two texts already, asking if he could still make it, and although he didn't reply to them, the two arrows signified that he'd seen it. I'd have preferred it if he'd just called and we discuss things on phone. But this situation required a physical meeting. At least, I thought it did. I was almost half-dozing when I heard the sound of a car pulling up just outside the fence, close to the gate. I peered out the window, relieved to see the familiar Aston Martini. He made it! I couldn't even find the right words to express my relief. As well as the sudden spike in adrenaline. Fuck. I quickly ran into the kitchen and tapped Cora's shoulder hastily. She whipped her head from Finn's book to me and I leaned down to whisper in her ear

ElaineThe testing was scheduled for Monday of the new week. I left for the hospital with Finn at exactly 8AM, after I'd taken permission from his teacher. We waited till ten for Max, which didn't surprise me one bit. I knew he'd could've gotten here sooner, but didn't want to make small talk with me or Finn. He still couldn't face us.As I scanned the half-filled waiting room, my heart pounding wildly in my chest, I wondered if there was a woman like me among these people. One who'd kept the news of a child away from the father for two, probably three years and now she told him, he wanted a paternity test also. God, I would never wish that sort of fate even for my enemy. The only thing that kept me afloat was my little man beside me. He was so engrossed in the book he was reading to be aware of his surroundings, or the gravity of the situation that brought us here.My eyes flicked over to the door, locking with Max's familiar cerulean blue ones. I had no idea how long he'd been stand

ElaineAn hour later, I found myself downing what had to be my fifteenth shot while nodding along to whatever the gorgeous bartender was saying. I didn't know how to stop drinking, because it was light, yet heavy on the inside, which was exactly what I needed. But also, that meant I had to find another alternative since it was becoming glaring that I couldn't drive myself home tonight. I couldn't count on boarding a cab in case the driver got any ideas and decided to rape me. Trust me, I'd been in such situation before.The sexy music became louder and I pushed away from the bar, my shot in hand, joining the horde of sweaty, gyrating bodies on the dance floor. I staggered from side to side, not really getting the dance steps right but moving anyway. After a few minutes, the bartender tapped my shoulder and I turned, groaning when he extended a tray with yet another shot. “Care for some?” he laughed.I belched shamelessly, placing the empty glass I was holding and wrenching the filled

ElaineThe elevator ride downstairs was silent. My heart ached as I wrung my fingers nervously, staring at Max's turned back. We hadn't said a word to each other since he agreed to go on this coffee date, and contrary to what I expected, we'd grown an inch more apart. I was feeling so vulnerable and I craved his smile and touch so much, even with everything bad he'd been doing to me. I didn't understand any of this. I wanted him to hold me again, with the love and affection he'd once for me. To fall on my knees and plead with him to accept Finn and I wholeheartedly. To be strong and reassure myself that this will pass.But I'd never been that type of woman. I wasn't desperate for his attention, or money, or both. I'd been moving on just fine without him. My pride was my stronghold.My phone beeped loudly, just as the elevator stopped and the door slid open. Max wasted no time in walking out and I followed suit, frowning when I unlocked my phone and saw that it was Jessy texting. It'd

Elaine I wiped my reddened eyes as I came down the cab and stood, looking up at the huge Spatsburger calligraphy, and the sea of moving bodies through the crystal-clear glass wall. After our coffee date, I'd gone home to regain my bearings, but ended up crying in the shower and blaming myself for everything all over again. I didn't want to get out of the house any more today, but I'd already promised Jess. I just hoped she didn't want to scold me, but given that she'd instructed me not to tell Max anything about this, I figured she really wanted details on what was going on. Pushing through the glass double doors, and moving in between the crowded, busy tables, I exhaled in relief when I spotted Jess waving wildly at me from her seat at the farthest end, close to the wall with Ryan. My jaw slacked as I gaped from her to Ryan. I didn't expect to see him here, because I thought Jess just wanted a woman-to-woman conversation. With my heart clanging loudly against my chest, I saunter o