Mr. Grey-Book I

8

A week later...

Emilia

I stormed out of the shower, water dripping onto the tile floor as I wrapped a towel around myself. "I'm done," I declared finally, my voice echoing off the bathroom walls. "No child should ever be subjected to such a toxic environment."

Amber was at the sink, carefully removing her makeup. She raised an eyebrow at me in the mirror.

"You should have seen the way he spoke to me," I continued, anger and hurt bubbling up inside me. "He didn't even look at me once like I repelled him or something."

Amber sighed, setting down her cotton pad. And listening to me ranting all over again, this had been going on for days, "I told you it wouldn't be easy. The Greys are known for being arrogant and selfish. I warned you, but you wouldn't listen."

I felt a pang of guilt. "I know, I should have listened to you. I'm sorry. I was so blinded by the money that I ignored everything else."

Amber's expression softened. "So what's the plan here, Em? Are you still going through with this or not?"

"I don't know," I admitted, reaching into my drawer for pajamas. The soft fabric felt comforting against my skin as I slipped them on.

"First, we need to find out if you're pregnant," Amber said, her voice gentle but firm. "That's the only way we can think of a way out of this mess."

I nodded frantically, fear gripping my heart. "What if I am?"

Amber bit her lip, and I could see the concern in her eyes. That was the answer enough.

"The test is in my purse," I said quietly.

Amber nodded and left to retrieve it. I sank onto the closed toilet lid, trying to steady my breathing. Please don't be pregnant, I prayed silently, squeezing my eyes shut.

I heard Amber's footsteps returning and looked up. She held out the pregnancy test, her hand trembling slightly. "Here," she said softly.

I took it, my fingers shaking. "Will you stay with me?" I asked, hating how small my voice sounded.

"Of course," Amber assured me. "I'm right here."

"Here we go," I whispered, steeling myself for what was to come.

Three agonizing minutes later, I was pacing the bathroom floor, unable to keep still. My heart raced, and I felt like I might be sick.

"Calm down, Em. It's going to be okay." Amber said, but I could hear the tension in her voice.

I scoffed. "How? My entire life could be over in a minute. I thought I could do this, I thought I could be strong for my mother. But it turns out I can't. I'm weak and stupid to think I could pull this off." I ran a hand through my damp hair. "How long?"

"One more minute," Amber replied, checking her watch.

She reached out and touched my arm, stilling my frantic movements. "Hey. Whatever happens, it'll be okay," she said, offering a reassuring smile.

I wanted to believe her, but panic was clouding my thoughts. "Can you look?" I asked as the timer on her phone chimed softly.

"Yes, of course."

I held my breath as Amber crossed the room to where we'd left the test. She picked it up, her back to me. The silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity.

"Amb?" I finally managed to choke out. "What does it say?"

She turned to face me, her expression unreadable.

"No," I whispered, feeling the blood drain from my face. "No, no, no!"

I snatched the test from her hand, staring in disbelief at the two pink lines. Positive. It was positive.

A scream tore from my throat, raw and primal. Amber rushed to me, wrapping her arms around me as my knees gave out.

"Calm down, Em," she murmured, stroking my hair.

"Don't tell me to calm down!" I snapped, pushing her away. "It's not your life that's being ruined right in front of your eyes. So don't you dare tell me to calm down?" My voice broke on the last word, and I crumpled to the floor, sobs wracking my body.

Amber knelt beside me, her hands on my shoulders. "I know this is scary," she said softly. "But it's not too late."

I looked up at her, confusion cutting through my panic. "For what?"

She took a deep breath. "You could... get rid of it."

"What?" I gasped, shocked by her suggestion.

"I know someone who can help," Amber explained, her voice low and urgent. "No complications, no one would ever have to know."

"I can't," I whispered, shaking my head. The very thought made me feel ill.

"Why not?" Amber pressed. "You can't possibly take care of a baby right now. And like you said, no child should be subjected to that kind of environment."

I hesitated, torn. Everything in me recoiled at the idea, but a small voice whispered that maybe Amber was right.

"The Greys would sue me," I said weakly.

"They don't have to know," Amber insisted. "Tell them the procedure failed. Make up a story."

I wiped at my tears, my mind racing. I knew I would hate myself for even considering it, but what choice did I have?

"Okay," I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Okay."

As I looked into Amber's eyes, I wondered if I was making the biggest mistake of my life. But in that moment, it felt like my only option.