She only invited me to make it seem like this was for business but for her, it’s all pleasure. Well, fine by me. I’m here to work and score clients so that I can pay for my daughter's medical care.“Excuse me,” I hear someone say. I glance up and see an older gentleman towering over me. His belly ha
Renee’s POV I don’t remember much of what happens next. Whatever was in my drink is really kicking in. The already dark room seems to be getting dimmer. My breath is becoming more constricted. Is something on my throat? I try to breathe; I forget how to breathe.Suddenly I suck in a rush of air. Wh
I take the water and manage not to spill any from my trembling hand. I take a few gulps and prepare myself to ask him the dreaded question swirling around in my head.“Did we,” my voice trails off. Eric’s lips curl into a smirk. I don’t even have to finish the question, he knows what I’m wondering a
Renee’s POVMy mouth feels dry and suddenly I can’t hear anything but the ringing in my ears. Images of Debbie lying unconsciously flash in my mind. “W-what?” I managed to stammer out.Jasper repeats himself and the shock still hits the same. I flash my eyes over to Aaron. His expression has dramati
I hesitate, but Eric is the father of Debbie so maybe he should pay for some of the medical costs.“Thank you, Eric” I say and manage a smile. “I promise to pay you back though,” I tell him just so he can’t hold this over my head.“That won’t be necessary,” Eric says and before I can argue further h
Renee’s POVEric stands with his jaw slack. His eye twitches. Jasper gives my hand a slight squeeze, a simple way of telling me that our plan is working. I look up at Eric and feign confusion.“What’s the problem?” I ask innocently. Eric snaps his jaw shut and his eyes harden.“I don’t believe you,”
Renee’s POVThe next morning I wake up to the blaring sound of the smoke detector going off. I shoot upright in bed and scramble to my feet. Only after I become briefly oriented do I smell something like burnt pancakes.I relax a little as I head down the stairs, tugging my bathrobe tight against me
I laugh out loud at the text, until I hear the familiar high-pitch whines of Mia behind me.I turn around and see her and Eric walking out of the building. Mia is looking straight at him, going on about something that I can’t quite make out while Eric stares straight ahead, looking at nothing. Until
“That’s it?” I say and eye it like its suddenly lost all appeal to me. “So, you’ll take it?” The woman asks cross her arms and her lips curl into a sneer. I fume. How dare this Brit think she can talk to me this way? Her hair is clearly dyed from a box, she needs Botox-badly, and she could lose th
Mia’s POV They think I’m stupid. They think that just because they cover their faces behind tall menus that I don’t know they’re talking about me. I sit up taller in small rustic chair and tap my teaspoon against the fine china and watch the droplets of earl gray tea splash back into the cup.
Habitual instinct kicks in and I hold back a yelp of worry. Debbie catches my reaction and giggles as she jumps off the tire and lands on all fours. “Tada!” She sings. I clutch my cheer. “Be careful,” I tell her anyway. Debbie runs over to me and wraps me in a tight hug. “Remember Jasper said that
Renee’s POV Every time I pass by a mirror I stop and inspect myself. Unapologetically letting my eyes roam over my body even if I’m in public. Pregnant. I imagine my belly growing and getting bigger. I definitely have that glow as people say. My skin is supple, my hair is shiner. Not like when I
Through the hospital doors, Linda greets me from the front desk. “Good morning Renee! I didn’t know you’d be in today,” she says and checks her notebook. “I heard Debbie got some great news,” she says and I manage a smile, but don’t stop walking for the chitchat. I come up to Eric’s office and see
Renee’s POV I poke my head through the bedroom door that was left slightly ajar before fully entering it. Seeing that it appears empty, I step inside and close the door behind me and twist the lock. I flop down on the bed with a sigh and let the plush comforter envelope around me. Unfortunately
Jasper waits for the wooden door to clock shut before he speaks. I notice the swell of his muscles as his shirt sleeved scrubs hugs his bicep. He’s been working out. “I just want to apologize,” Jasper starts and I force my eyes off of his arms. “About what?” I ask confused as to how this convers
Renee’s POV “Well, I’d say she’s nearly perfect,” Jasper exclaims removing his stethoscope from his hears. I pull away my fingers away from my mouth. “Really?” I ask, almost in disbelief. I thought I’d never hear those words. “Really,” Jasper says with a genuine smile. I let out a cry of joy.
Out on the open road. Without being tailed by the media Eric drives at a much calmer pace. The sky is a Heather gray and the roads are slick. I pause for a moment before opening Emily’s text, enjoying the fullness of the atmosphere, wanting to soak in this rare moment of mundane. Then my anxiety g