Don't Trust the Father of My Child의 모든 챕터: 챕터 21 - 챕터 30

Ethan stepped out of the room. I stayed by the sink. I wasn't the only one who had to answer to a family. His call went on long after the door had closed.The hotel manager returned. She explained whom to call if I needed more towels and said the room's telephone could be used for outside calls. I wrote down the number. Even if someone took my cell phone, I would have a way to reach another person.When Ethan came back, he accompanied me to the guest-room floor. I turned the room key over in my hands in the elevator. It was a different color from the other key he carried. I was exhausted by how much I needed to keep checking such small differences.I closed the room door and slid the inside bolt into place. It was a lock I could fasten myself. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I took off my shoes. The back of my right heel was scraped raw, probably from when I'd nearly stepped out of my shoe backing away in the lobby.I laid both hands on my stomach. I felt nothing. The baby didn't sudd

Matteo was already at the hotel restaurant.When I entered with Ethan, Matteo started to push back his chair, then stopped. Three glasses stood on the white tablecloth. I'd made a reservation for three, so the extra place setting shouldn't have surprised him."You really brought him."I sat across from Matteo. Ethan chose the chair beside mine, closest to the aisle. Matteo looked at him."I'd appreciate it if you'd give us some privacy while we talk.""I asked him to come," I said.I placed my bag beside the chair."I'm not going to ask how much you knew. Just give me the date."Matteo drank some water. Even when he set the glass down, he wouldn't look at me."Four days after the tests."I spread my fingers over my knees. The results hadn't arrived at our house until the sixth day. He had known before he sat at that table with the envelopes."Then why did you say we could just test again?"Matteo glanced at Ethan."I didn't change the results.""Answer my question."He leaned toward m

My father called my name. I cut him off before he could finish."Give me back my passport. The rest of my things, too. I'm going to keep working at the company. And Renato is never to lay a hand on my arm again.""Come home and we'll talk.""Answer me now."Above me, Ethan's footsteps stopped on the stairs. I stared at a handprint on the wall and waited.My father spoke."Be here Friday evening. We'll sort out the rest when you're back."I didn't tell him I believed him. I told him what time I would return and ended the call.Ethan stood at the far end of the landing."He didn't promise you'd be safe.""I know.""Are you going back for the paperwork?"I looked toward the door downstairs."Partly. And my mother's there."Ethan came no closer."Once you go inside that house, I won't be able to pull up outside the front door like I did today."Only then did I see my decision for what it was. Going back meant returning home, but it also meant putting more distance between myself and anyon

My father's eyes narrowed. I met them without looking away. Only beneath the tablecloth could anyone have seen how frightened I was. My knees wouldn't stop shaking.My mother picked up the water pitcher. Her sleeve brushed his arm as she refilled his glass."Let's eat first. The kitchen is waiting."My father looked at her. She put down the pitcher and took her seat. She was the one who signaled to the servants. Hot plates came in.I picked up my fork. I couldn't taste a thing, but I swallowed. My father went back to talking about the port. His voice was slightly louder than before.As the table was cleared, I watched the order in which the guests rose. Matteo's father greeted mine and went straight toward the study. Nicola's father had an aide make a call. To some of them, what I had said was merely an opening to name a new price.Matteo remained beside the bouquet, his palm covering the empty box. I walked past him. If I apologized, it felt as though I would have to place the ring b

The expression disappeared from his face.I knew what I'd just said. There was still no proof that my father had killed Andrea. But I didn't want to take it back. What frightened me was that I'd thrown my suspicions straight at him.Matteo's father rose. His chair legs scraped a long way across the floor."I think we'll call it a night."Nicola's father summoned his son as well. Suddenly the house was busy with departing guests: people fetching bags, bringing cars around, opening their mouths in attempts to smile.I caught hold of Nicola."I'm leaving, too."He looked at his father, who turned toward mine."We'll take her to the hospital."Before my father could reply, I headed for the entrance. Renato blocked my way. His phone rang again. I didn't wait for him to answer."Move."Nicola's father came up behind me, his aides with him. Renato looked to my father, who nodded.I felt sick at the fact that I still needed his permission to leave.◇One of Ethan's men was waiting at the hosp