Something Unexpected

Chapter Twenty-Three

Laura's POV

Every ounce of strength seemed to leave my body in a split second. I went from standing to leaning against someone's chest, unable to keep myself from falling over.
As he looked up from the bed, Kaiden's face dropped. Shock, regret and something else plastered itself across the features of the man I loved and who I though had loved me.

"I need to go," I said aloud, more to myself than anyone else. "Now."

Whoever was holding me didn't say a word as they pulled me around to face the staircase. Tears had started to run a steady stream down my face but I didn't have the ability to wipe them away. My body and my mind had gone numb, the only thing I could think about was getting out of there.
As we reached the bottom of the stairs I couldn't miss the curious glances and knowing looks from the people around me.

"Laura," A familiar voice called.

Lexi's cheerful face came into view but her smile dropped when she saw my face.

"Are you ok? What happened?"

I couldn't muster the words to tell her but as her eyes moved passed me, to the top of the stairs, I knew I didn't have too.

"Are you serious?" She screeched through clenched teeth. "Thanks Nick but I've got her from here."

Taking her position beside me I started to follow as she led me through the crowded room to the open front door. Just as we were about to cross the threshold, my arm was pulled back forcing me to come face to face with a crying Kaiden.

"Laura, please." He pleaded, the room growing eerily quiet. "Just hear me out."

Looking up at his face the realisation of what I'd just witnessed finally sunk in.
He'd cheated.
A loud sob ripped through my chest as I felt myself weaken again. As I casted my eyes downward I looked at my swollen belly where his unborn baby rested.

"How could you go this?" I whispered, the anger starting to bubble to the surface.

Reaching for me again, I managed this time to step away. His hand fell flat against his thigh, not game enough to reach for me a second time. I was aware of the looks we were getting, the snickers from some and the looks of pity from others, but I didn't care. Raising my head, I stood a little straighter before looking Kaiden in the eyes.

"How the hell could you do this to me?" I yelled. "I'm having your baby for Christ sake."

Lurching forward I connected my fists with his chest, causing him to stumble backward slightly.

"Please, let me explain?" He pleaded again but it only made the raw anger that had settled in my stomach surge forward.

Angry tears continued to run down my puffy cheeks but I held his gaze, hoping the hurt behind my eyes would be enough to keep him from saying anything.

"I'm going, Kaiden." Breathing I turned for the door. Before walking through the doorway I quickly turned around, "Don't come home tonight. Just, stay away."

As the cool air hit my face I took what seemed like the first steady breath since I'd walked into that bedroom. Lexi and Nick chatted quietly amongst themselves as we slid into the cramped bench seat of Nick's truck. The ride back to my house was quiet, nobody game enough to mention what had just taken place.

It wasn't until we had pulled up in my drive that Lexi broke the deafening silence. "Do you want me to stay with you tonight?"

"No," I replied flatly. "I just want to be alone."