Chapter 6 - THE PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Daniel stood so quickly that the chair moved backward.
“What?”
Vanessa pressed both hands over her stomach.
“I found out yesterday.”
“I planned to tell you tonight.”
Daniel’s anger dissolved into shock.
I saw hope enter his face.
Then fear.
Then responsibility.
Vanessa knew him well.
She knew the fastest path past his judgment was through someone he believed needed protection.
“Do you have a test?” he asked.
She looked hurt.
“You do not believe me?”
“I am asking a reasonable question.”
“I took three.”
“Where are they?”
“At my apartment.”
I remained near the door.
Vanessa looked toward me.
“Do you think I am lying about this too?”
“I have not said anything.”
“You do not need to.”
“Your face says enough.”
Daniel looked at me.
“Mom.”
“I am going to change clothes.”
“That is all.”
I left them alone.
Upstairs, Rosa helped me remove the wet uniform.
She placed towels around my shoulders.
“Do you believe her?” she asked.
“I believe the timing is useful.”
“That is not an answer.”
“No.”
“It is not.”
Two hours later, Daniel drove Vanessa to her apartment to collect the tests.
She returned with three positive results.
Daniel called a doctor and scheduled an appointment for the following morning.
Vanessa agreed.
Then she refused to remain in my house.
Daniel went with her.
Before leaving, he found me inside the kitchen.
“I need time.”
“I understand.”
“If she is pregnant, I will protect my child.”
“You should.”
“That does not mean I will ignore what she did.”
“I hope not.”
He looked at me.
“But you are not allowed to investigate the pregnancy.”
The request hurt because I understood why he made it.
“I will not.”
Daniel left.
The next morning, Vanessa canceled the medical appointment.
She claimed she had begun bleeding.
She told Daniel she had lost the baby.
He called me from the hospital parking lot.
His voice broke.
“She would not let the doctor examine her.”
“She said there was nothing anyone could do.”
I closed my eyes.
“Did the hospital confirm a pregnancy?”
“No.”
“She refused to go inside.”
Daniel became silent.
Then he whispered,
“I do not know what is real anymore.”
That afternoon, Rosa found a pharmacy receipt beneath the guest-room bed.
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Vanessa had purchased three positive pregnancy tests online.
They were manufactured to display false results.
