“I heard that,” Simon said, walking into the room and handcuffing Billy. The ambulance is on its way.”
“Listen, Simon. This can’t be made public. I promised the senator it would be kept out of the press.”
“He’ll talk, Paige.”
“No, he won’t. Will you, Billy?” I raised my brow.
“No. I won’t. I swear.”
I went downstairs and over to the couch where Claire was sitting with Logan.
“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
“No. But he was going to.”
“Do you need medical attention?” I asked.
“No. I just want to go home.”
After taking Claire home to be reunited with her parents, I drove to the drug store. The moment I stepped inside, I scanned the signs above each aisle until I found what I was looking for. I stood and stared at the row of boxes before me. Pregnancy tests. Dozens of them. Different brands. Different words were printed across the front like they meant something, which I suppose they did.
Early detection.
Fast results.
Over 99% accurate.
It was like I was assessing a target. But this was one target I couldn’t neutralize. My eyes scanned the boxes again until Isaw one that said “Results in 1 minute.” One minute to change everything. I lifted my hand to grab the box and stopped. This was ridiculous. I never hesitated. It wasn’t who I was. I feared nothing. Hearthstone made sure of that. Then why couldn’t I pick up a simple box on a store shelf?
A couple walked down the aisle and stopped a few feet away from me. I glanced over at the man and woman as he grabbed a box and handed it to her.
“This one should do.” He smiled.
“Maybe we should get a couple of them just to be sure.” She placed her hand on her belly.
My chest tightened as I grabbed a box and headed to the register.
I stood in the bathroom,the door half-closed, even though I was the only one home. I opened the box, took out the instructions, and read them. I removed the stick from the packaging as my fingers tightened around it. I could control this moment, this part, before this little white stick controlled the outcome of my life.
After peeing on the stick, I set it on the counter and washed my hands. Gripping the edge of the sink, I lifted my head and stared at myself in the mirror while my mind went crazy with dates, possibilities, and timing. I glanced at my watch. Thirty seconds left. It felt like eternity. I inhaled a deep breath and slowly let it out. Time was up. Glancing at the stick, two pink lines appeared. Not faint, not almost, but bold. There was no question about it. I was pregnant.
Chapter Thirty-One
Parker
I walked into the house, slammed the front door, entered the kitchen, and dropped my briefcase on the table.
“Did you just slam the front door?” Paige asked, standing over the sink.
I loosened my tie. “Yeah. I did. I’m losing the case because of that prick ADA.”
“What happened? You don’t lose. Ever,” she said.
“He cheated.” I stormed out of the kitchen and poured myself a scotch.
“Explain,” Paige said, following behind.
I ran my hand through my hair while I tipped the glass to my lips. “A key witness changed her testimony today. She completely flipped and mentioned details she had never mentioned before. Details that just happened to line up perfectly with the prosecution’s theory since the beginning of this case.”