Page 115 of The Wrong Side Of Us

As always, Nathan understood. He pulled me to his chest and embraced me, his heartbeat a lullaby to my anxious mind. It always had a calming effect on me. He always had this effect on me.

He mended my broken heart.

“You need to eat something.”

My lips tilted up slightly. He was always so concerned. “I’m not sure I can.”

“Have you eaten anything at all?”

“Just before I got to the prison.”

He shook his head. “Baby, that was hours ago. I’m going to get you something.”

Nate pulled away from me, and immediately I gripped his arm. Perhaps it was irrational, but I didn’t want to be alone. Not because I was afraid that I’d do something stupid, but because I needed the safety of his presence. He smiled, understanding, and wrapped his arm over my shoulders, the other hand falling on my belly.

“I was worried,” he sighed.

We walked over to the kitchen, and I didn’t miss Nathan’s smirk when he saw me sit down at the table, only wearing his shirt.

“Cereal?” he asked, already reaching for my favorite kind. As if on cue, my tummy growled loud enough for Nathan to hear, and I smiled shyly. Nathan chuckled, his eyes sparkling, the sight of a relaxed me easing some of his worry.

“What did you do today?” I asked, swinging my feet.

I saw him tense. “To be honest? Nothing. I couldn’t get anything done because I didn’t know how you were.” Nathan turned around to face me, setting the gallon of milk on the counter. He pinched the bridge of his nose before sighing and continuing. “I have some news I think you’ll like.”

“What is it?”

“Derek is awake.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

“He woke up earlier today. Damian texted me saying I need to be there tomorrow, and you too. He wants to talk to both of us, and you know…tell the cops what happened.”

While I was immensely happy that he was awake finally, I knew I couldn’t face him just yet. I was a coward and too scared.

“I can’t.” I shook my head. “I’m glad he’s awake, but I can’t.”

Nathan frowned. “I was sure you’d want to go.”

“I do, Nate. But I need a few days to just get it together. All I want right now is to be with you, not anyone else, please. Can we do that? Just a few days so I can tell you what’s going on. Maybe you’ll be able to help me put everything in order.”

It must have been the desperation in my voice, but he nodded, handing me the bowl with cereal.

“We’ll do whatever you need,” he agreed, placing a kiss on my forehead.

***

The next morning, I woke up to the delicious smell of bacon. I assumed Nathan moved stuff around in the kitchen, and immediately, some of the sadness in my heart was replaced with never-ending love for the man I was to marry. I knew he only had about an hour before he had to leave, so I took a quick shower to wash away the nastiness of the day before and hopefully start the day with a clear mind.

It wasn’t going away, though.

There was a dull ache, this uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach. My baby moved like crazy, like he or she could feel it too. That should have been my first sign. I blamed it all on the things that I’d learned; surely, there was no way that I could feel normal with everything I had found out.

Hannah.

Was this about her?

Something in the way she said goodbye left me feeling uneasy. It almost seemed like a permanent one, and I couldn’t lose her—not after everything she had told me. I decided I’d call the prison as soon as Nathan left.

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