All Chapters of Too Late To Beg: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

TAMSIN James was two hours late. I stood in the living room, watching the candles gutter in their holders. Condensation wept down the champagne bottle. The ice had long since melted. Seven o'clock had come and gone. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Tammy." That's what he'd said when I invited him. When I told him I had something special planned. It was nine o'clock now. I dialed his number for the third time, thumb hovering over the call button. Please don't be drunk. Please don't make me regret this. Two rings. "Tammy, dear." His voice came through, rushed and breathless. "There's been an emergency. I'm at the hospital." Cold flooded through me. "What? Are you hurt? James?" The line went dead. "James?" I said to no one. I grabbed my keys. Ten minutes later, I was white-knuckling the steering wheel toward the hospital. Today was supposed to be perfect. The pregnancy test sat in my purse, wrapped in tissue paper inside a small box. I hadn't looked at it

TAMSIN "How can you ask for something so absurd?" James's voice climbed. "How do you expect Isla to feel, hearing you say that?" I let out a short laugh. "Funny. Last night you were terrified she'd terminate. Now you're offended I'm suggesting the same thing. Which version of Isla are we protecting here? The one who didn't want the baby, or the one you convinced to keep it?" He exhaled through his nose. "Yes, but..." "Answer a few questions for me," I cut him off. He nodded, wary now. "Doesn't Isla have a fiancé?" "She did." His jaw tightened. "Once he found out she was pregnant with my baby, he called off the engagement." "Right. And weren't they together for more than two years?" "They were, Tammy. But I don't see what these unnecessary questions..." "Unnecessary?" I smiled, but it didn't reach anywhere near my eyes. "One more question then. Is Isla a child?" He rolled his eyes. "What is all this, Tammy?" I stood up from the bed. "Forgive me, but I'm trying t

TAMSIN "James..." My voice came out weak. Shaking. "Please. Help me. My baby..." "Tammy, please." His voice was strained. "After everything today, I can't... I need you to stop." "My baby..." Tears streamed down my face. I was bent over the bed, and I could feel the wetness spreading. I knew what it meant. "Don't let me lose my baby. Please. Take me to the hospital." My vision started to blur at the edges. Everything going soft and distant. I turned my head slightly. James stood near the door, his face a mask of conflict. Pain and doubt warring in his eyes. He took a step toward me. Then Isla made a sound. A horrible, choking gasp. I couldn't see her from my position, but I heard the thud as she hit the floor. "Isla!" James's voice went sharp with panic. Through my darkening vision, I saw him drop to his knees beside her. Saw her body jerking. Convulsing. A seizure. His face went white. "Oh God. Isla. Isla, stay with me." He scooped her into his arms. Her he