Good Girls Have Secrets

Chapter 16

Numb. After getting a threatening text message from Will , I'm numb for the next three days. Disconnecting from the world, I imagine what he'll do. Barely speaking a word, the basic life functions are all I can manage.

Friday morning promises to be more of the same, as I wake up to go to class with my stomach in knots. I need to shower, since I can't remember the last time I did.

Twenty minutes later, while I'm drying my hair, I hear Will's ringtone. Dry heaving, I answer choking back the bile in my throat. I can't take not knowing what he's thinking.

His tone is clipped, "I thought about having my lawyer make this call but decided it would be best for me to do it. My mother wants custody of the baby. She's adamant that her grandchild will not be given to strangers."

My anger flares. "This baby isn't hers to claim." I mock his mother. "Nannies raised you. She barely had anything to do with you. She can't have my baby."

His tone is cold. "I'll be the one taking steps to get full custody of the child. You know my family will hire the best lawyers in the country."

"I've been spotting. The baby will be lucky to make it through the weekend."

"You're disgusting." He scoffs, calling my bluff. "You won't win. My family can give the child the best things in life. You don't even have a way to support yourself. Do you really think a judge will award you custody?"

His words cut through me, causing physical pain in my heart. He's right. I can't fight against them. I don't even have money for a lawyer, much less money to support myself and a child.

Heaving the little I have in my stomach onto the floor, I become hysterical, screaming into the phone. "I'll do whatever it takes. I don't want my baby to grow up in the cold environment you did. You think you can buy people and control them with your money, but you can't."

Hanging up on him, my hands tremble, making it difficult to finish getting ready. Skipping the whole day, hiding away at the mall crosses my mind, but I need to ask my professor a few questions about my project. Besides, even if I went to the mall nothing would fit right. Even my feet are swollen, so only certain pairs of my shoes fit.

Stepping into Design class late, I sit in the back corner, trying to avoid everyone. My usual seat, next to Audrey and Matt is empty. Longing to sit with them, I find myself chewing on my fingernail. Spitting it on the floor, I notice the way my stomach bulges in the shirt I picked. I'll use my coat to conceal it.

At the signal class is over, I move down one aisle as Audrey moves up the other one. Giving me a subtle wave, I give her a small smile in response. A few seconds later, hearing my phone beep, I see a text from her, asking if I'm mad at her. "Of course not. I've just been crazy busy." is all I text back.

Approaching the professor, there's a young woman talking nonstop about her project. So far, she hasn't asked a question, but rambled about all her inspirations. What a suck up. Like the guy even cares.

At last it's my turn, feeling sweaty and hot from having my coat on, I give a brief explanation of my concept. I ask if a store front would meet the project requirements, acknowledging that it's technically supposed to be a room, then explaining the opportunity will allow me to bring my design to life.

Thinking for a moment, he says, "It's unusual. But I'm willing to let you give it a try. I like that you're thinking outside the box."

Thanking him, I head out of the classroom. Audrey is waiting for me.

Touching my arm, she says, "Where have you been this week? You haven't returned my calls and you're avoiding me. Are you okay?"

Does Audrey want to hear the news from me? Wasn't Andrea's version good enough? I don't want to talk about it here. "I'm fine. Just trying to figure things out. I didn't think you would want to hang out once you heard."