STORM - (Intersex)

CHAPTER 20

CLARA

Negative.

Thank the lord almighty!

I've done three tests and even went to the doctor to double-check. Not pregnant! Woohoo! Tyler's been smirking the entire time, calling me overdramatic, but I didn't care. I immediately bought a box of condoms and got back on the contraceptive pills, just in case.

The whole car ride, she's been laughing, and I finally swat her arm. "Hey! It's funny! You can't blame me," she says between chuckles.

"It's funny until you're the one changing two diapers at once and wrestling two kids!" I shoot back.

"Eli isn't a problem, though. The kid practically tells us when he's about to take a dump."

"You're disgusting." I roll my eyes, but I can't help smiling. She chuckles.

"Come on, you know it's true." She's got that cheeky grin on her face, and I glance back at Eli, who's quietly watching something on Tyler's phone.

"Tyler Brooks! How many times do I have to tell you to stop letting him watch Criminal Minds?!"

"But it's our favourite show! IT'S YOURS TOO!" she protests, still keeping her eyes on the road, pouting like a kid.

I sigh and take the phone from Eli, switching it to Mickey Mouse. I hand it back to him, and he just stares at me—glaring, actually. I squint back at him, and in defiance, he hands the phone back to me, clutching his teddy instead.

"See? Now you've got him mad," Ty mumbles with a smirk.

---

Mark has been texting me nonstop all morning, and as soon as I block his number, he starts calling the office phone. Nat has had to tell him repeatedly that I'm busy, and I don't have the heart to tell Tyler—she'd just get really mad.

"He's calling again, line three," Nat huffs, folding her arms in frustration. I take off my glasses and finally decide to answer, nodding to Nat to give me a moment. She leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.

"What do you want?" I ask, exasperated.

I hear a short laugh on the other end. "I want to meet you. Judging by your tone, I'm guessing you don't want to?"

"No shit, Sherlock," I mutter internally, rolling my eyes.

"Well, that's unfortunate. I suggest you meet with me soon—it's very important."

"And why would I do that?" I ask, my patience wearing thin.

"Well, you do want your son to still have both parents, right?"

My blood runs cold, my throat tightening in fear. "Mark, what are you talking about?! You aren't touching Tyler! Do you hear me?"

His laugh comes again, like he's trying to sound like some kind of villain, but he's too much of a pussy to even pull it off convincingly.

"I won't touch her. But I can easily order people to. I'll be seeing you soon... Oh, and I can easily get your kid too."

The line goes dead, and I let out a shaky breath, feeling the weight of his threat pressing down on me. My mind races, trying to figure out what to do next. A few moments later, Nat walks back in with coffee and sits down across from me. She gives me a weak smile, sensing something's off but not pushing me to talk.

We sit in silence, sipping our coffee. Natalie's always been great at understanding when I need quiet. Her presence is comforting, and she knows when to let the silence be. Lee, on the other hand, is wonderful but not quite as good at respecting the quiet moments.