AMB~she~OUS

FORTY NINE [I]

The following days were extremely awkward at the mansion. After my conversation with Craig, I didn't know how to be around him comfortably and I think he felt the same way even though he tried his best not to show it. I had established a routine that made it easy to avoid him but even with that, there were places and times I wouldn't be able to avoid him. It was then that I was constantly reminded that I had a choice to make.

I could either tell Nick about the pregnancy and risk having him cause a scene that would further drive a wedge between him and Craig. Or I could follow through with Craig's plan and convince Nick that this wasn't his child which I was sure wouldn't work. Either option would bring me chaos. There wasn't a way around it, coming clean to both men was the only thing I could do. This whole bombshell was a ticking time bomb, there were only two days left till Friday which was Daphne's death anniversary. I had till then to find a way to come out clean to Nick about the pregnancy and to Craig about my affair with Nick.

I couldn't bring myself to even think about coming clean about them not being biologically related. It would break them and this was the last thing Craig would want to know after I tell him about Nick and I.

"They are planning to air a special program for her."

"What?" I snapped my attention back to him. I had gotten lost in my thoughts again.

Cooper Wayde nodded to the huge billboard beside us. A few pictures of Daphne were on a slideshow with sweet messages from people who knew her and a notice of a special scheduled program in her memory.

"I wasn't aware of that." My voice came out a little sour, it was becoming harder to hide my distaste for the woman. I wanted to blame her for the difficult situation she had me in but I knew I had played a huge role in the mess I was in.

"With all due respect, I don't think you called me here for a cup of coffee. Not that I'm complaining, I am getting paid by the hour to have a free iced americano." Cooper said he was a straight-to-the-point individual just like me, on my good days that is. That wasn't the case today.

"Can't you just be grateful you'll be receiving a check at the end of the day?" I raised my eyebrow at him.

"I want to but your silence today is extremely unsettling."

"I'm pregnant." I blurted out.

There was a single moment of silence before he uttered something.

"Whoa."

"How bad is it going to be?"

Copper cleared his throat, clearly recovering from the initial shock of my announcement.

"To be honest, it's not going to be easy. The press is most definitely going to drag you and claim that you're passing somebody else's child as Craig's."

I had suspected that much.

"Your best chance is releasing a joint statement sharing your good news. That's not to say they won't drag you for it but it would die down sooner." He continued.

So Craig's way was my best chance.

But it wasn't something I wanted to do to Nick.

"I see." I sighed heavy-heartedly.

I don't know why a small part of me had hoped for an out that didn't result in hurting either men.

"But Mrs. Daniels, this doesn't have to be all gloom and doom... for you that is." He spoke slowly, earning a questioning look from me.

"I mean after our last conversation, I have reason to think you suspect that Nick is not Craig's son. If that's the case and you and Craig are expecting...this could solidify your position at D&D. This means you could be carrying an heir to the company."