Malevolence

Chapter 36:

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

Evelyn:

"Evelyn?" Marta looks at me quizzically, placing a huge mug down on the side table.

"Isn't that Harlan's 'My house' mug?"

"My house mug?" Marta tilts her head.

"My house, my rules, my coffee...mug." I shrug one shoulder, "I call it the 'My house' mug." I clarify.

"Ah." Marta pauses briefly.

"I remember Harlan used to drink out of that mug. It was one of his favorite mugs." I mention.

Marta gives me a quick nod. "So why did you come into this room? Did you want to see me about something?"

I raise my brows, shaking my head. "Oh no, I just had cold eyes glaring at me outside, so I ran upstairs." I express, walking over to a comfy looking chair so I can sit down.

Marta takes a second to realize who I am referring to. "Oh yes, the family. Yeah, they were looking at me, right after Ransom nodded at me, before he climbed into the police car."

"He nodded?" I scoff. "I saw him smiling at you."

"Oh he did smile, but I don't think it was, like a victory smile. It was like he accepted his guilt. He just nodded and smiled at me, that's all. Evelyn," Marta walks over to sit on the chair opposite me, "I am sorry for what Ransom did, I know he means a lot to you and –"

I hold up my hand to stop Marta from what she is about to say. "Can we talk about something else instead?"

I don't mind talking about Ransom, but right now, I want to talk about someone else, anybody else.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Marta says apologetically.

"Oh no, no." I raise my hands, waving them. "I just don't want to talk about him for now. I don't mind talking to you about anything else." I reassure Marta.

"Oh, okay. Hmm...oh! Are you pregnant? Blanc said you are."

WHAT DID BLANC DO? HE TOLD MARTA? HOW COULD HE?

I sigh, but I am not mat at Marta. I am mad at Blanc. I think I need to have a talk with him about not spilling the beans from my private life.

"Are you?"

"Yes, I am."

"Oh that's wonderful! Congratulations!" Marta unexpectedly shouts cheerily, clapping her hands together. She stands up and gives me a hug, but I moan as she does because my stomach is still churning.

"Sorry, am I hurting your baby?"

I cannot help but give a small chuckle to that. "No. My stomach is sore, that's all. You know how it is when you get sick."

Oh shit! I should not have said that.

Marta leans back and sits down again, shifting a little uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry." I say quickly – a little too quickly.

"It's okay. How far along are you with your pregnancy? Did you find out?"

"About three weeks." I answer, but why does my tone suddenly sound cold? I clear my throat and change my voice to sound friendlier. "I will need to book for an ultrasound either tomorrow or sometime in the next few days. I think the doctor wants to put me on vitamins or something, and I think she wants to tell me what the next step is to my pregnancy."

Marta looks at me sympathetically. "Oh wow! I am happy for you, truly I am." she purses her lips, like she wants to say something that I may not like.

"But?" I ask, indicating she can say what she wants to say.