Malevolence

Chapter 35:

Please read the Writer's note before continuing to read this chapter.

Evelyn:

Ransom is touching my stomach! His hand may not be on my bare skin, but his touch still affects me – in many ways.

At least his hand is only on my dress!

But since Ransom has put his hand on my stomach, it makes me wonder what the next nine months would have been like, if Ransom was not convicted of murder...

Oh how I wish that was true! I wish Ransom could have spent the next nine months with me!

"Evelyn, answer me." Ransom says in a low, soft voice, but I think he is keeping his voice low because he doesn't want the detectives to hear him. "Evelyn, please tell me, are you pregnant?"

YES I AM!

"Tell me, please." Ransom's voice still remains soft.

Yes I am pregnant with your child!

"Evelyn?"

"Why does it matter to you? You'll be in jail anyway." I say with a raspy voice.

"My sweet – Evelyn, it does matter." Ransom's voice is suddenly harder. "Now tell me, are you pregnant?"

I inhale, and then exhale. I guess I have to tell Ransom. I need to. He is going to find out anyway.

"Eve –"

"Yes." My voice is but a whisper, but I say it so fast that I do not have time to stop myself.

Ransom drops his arms and he stares at me in utter...I want to say bewilderment, but I am not sure if that is the word I would use to describe Ransom's facial expression. His mouth is open, but only just, his eyes are not as wide as I would have expected, and his stare is a little unsettling.

Ransom leans back and it looks as if he almost trips, but he bangs his hands on the cupboard to hold himself up, gazing down to the ground, like he is confused.

"H-How did that happen?"

How did that happen? What kind of stupid question is that? I give Ransom a how-do-you-fucking-think-it-happened look.

"Well," I purse my lips, thinking of a derisive way to answer Ransom, "I am not sure, maybe it's because we kissed enough times that I ended up pregnant, or, and this might sound crazy, I think it's because we both had –"

"I know how babies are made, Evelyn." Ransom says with a scornful tone. "I want to know how in the fuck you weren't cautious."

This time, I nearly fall to the ground, but luckily, I lean back against the wall.

Did he...Did he just ask me how I was not cautious?

What kind of ridiculous question is that?

"How...I...was not cautious? Me?" I say through gritted teeth. "How I was not fucking cautious? Are you out of your fucking mind?" I snarl, raising my voice, not caring who hears me.

How dare Ransom blame this on me!

Ransom doesn't seem phased by my temper. "Well, you obviously forgot to take your pill, so yes, I asked why you were not cautious."

I don't speak, but I have a good mind to slap him again, this time on the other cheek.

"How far along are you anyway?" Ransom asks, curious.

"Why would you care?" I almost spit.

"Just tell me."

"No, I want to know why you are blaming me for this pregnancy?" I lower my voice, but my tone is still harsh.