Stay the Night

Chapter 64

December 23rd, 2004

Michael dragged his feet as walked into the kitchen. Karrin was sitting at the kitchen island eating and talking with his chef. He rolled his eyes and continued towards the refrigerator. Normally, he'd be making breakfast for the kids, but Mariah took them with her when she left the night before. 

It was unbelievable to him how he was just laying in bed with his wife and then she was gone. He wanted to be mad at her but he couldn't. He could only hope that she'd calm down and come home to him. 

"So you aren't going to say good morning?" Karrin asked.

You're lucky I let you stay here. Don't push it.

Michael cut a glare at the woman. "Good morning, Karrin,"

The woman regarded him with a look that bordered on contempt. "You don't have to be so rude, you know?"

He ignored her and continued to scan his refrigerator for something to eat. He typically couldn't bring himself to eat when he was in distress and it seemed like today would be no different. Nothing appealed to him other than the idea of having Mariah back.

"She's not coming back," Karrin continued. "She was pissed last night. I think she was more pissed than when she found out we were together,"

"You're happy about this, aren't you?" He inquired.

Karrin chuckled. "Happy? Happy that I'm pregnant by a married man that doesn't know how to get his shit together? Oh, I'm just ecstatic,"

"Bitch--"

"Who the fuck do you think you're calling a bitch?" Karrin shouted. "You better watch your fucking mouth!"

"You ruined my life!" Michael yelled back. 

"You ruined your own life! If you haven't forgotten, you came on to me! I was in my guest cottage drinking and minding my business!" Karrin pointed out. "If I were in my right state of mind I would've never slept with you!"

Michael angrily crossed the room so that he and Karrin were nose-to-nose. "You told me you wanted that shit! Don't act like I forced you,"

She stared at him as tears began to pool in the corners of her eyes. Michael could feel the guilt in his chest. He was doing the same thing to Karrin that he'd done to Mariah. 

Karrin leaned against his chest and began to sob. "You used me. You were just trying to get back at her! You never cared about me,"

He felt his anger subside as she cried into his chest. "That's not true, Kay,"

Her eyes shot up at him. "You were still fucking her while you claimed you loved me. You lied to me,"

Michael gripped her shoulders. "Look, I do care about you. And let's face it, you're carrying my child. None of this arguing is good for the baby,"

Karrin protectively put her hands around her stomach. "We don't need you,"

"If you don't need me, why are you here?" He questioned. 

She remained quiet.

"You're scared," He grabbed one of her hands. "Aren't you?"

Karrin nodded pitifully.

"Does your mom know?"

Karrin shook her head. "I don't know to tell her,"

Michael sucked in a breath. He knew Karrin's mother disapproved of their relationship, so he could only imagine her reaction when she found out about their child.