Page 12 of Say You're Mine

Elaine's smile sharpens, taking on a cruel edge. "Oh, I'm sure they are. After all, not everyone can afford the best for their child. It must be so... difficult, trying to make ends meet on an artist's salary."

The implication is clear, the threat barely veiled. She's reminding me of my place, of the vast chasm that separates our worlds.

But before I can respond, Song steps forward, his eyes blazing with protective fury. "You know what? I think we're done here. Come on, Cara. Let's go somewhere with better company and less bullshit."

He moves to guide me away, but Elaine's voice stops us in our tracks. "Oh, leaving so soon? But we've only just begun to catch up. Tell me, Cara dear, how are you feeling? Pregnancy can be so taxing, especially when one is... unprepared."

"That's enough." Louis's voice cuts through the tension like a knife, calm but steely. "I think it's time we left. Cara doesn't need this stress, and frankly, neither do we."

He wraps an arm around my waist, steadying me as another wave of dizziness washes over me. Song flanks my other side, while Sonya steps between us and the Deveaux woman, a human shield of fierce protection.

"This isn't over," Elaine calls after us as we make our way to the exit. "You're playing a dangerous game, Cara. One you can't possibly hope to win."

I pause at the door, turning back to meet her gaze one last time. "Maybe not," I say, my voice low but steady. "But I'll be damned if I don't try."

And then we're out in the sunlight, the fresh air hitting my lungs like a shock to the system. I sag against Louis, suddenly exhausted, the weight of the confrontation settling over me like a heavy blanket.

"You okay, bella?" he murmurs, his hand rubbing soothing circles on my back.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak just yet. The adrenaline is wearing off, leaving me shaky and nauseous.

Song's voice breaks through the fog of my thoughts, tight with barely contained anger. "What the actual fuck was that? Who does that bougie bitch think she is?"

"Song," Sonya warns, but there's no real heat behind it. She looks as shaken as I feel, her usual easy confidence replaced by a tense wariness.

"No, he's right," I say, finally finding my voice. "That was... God, I don't even know what that was. A warning? A threat?"

Louis guides me to a nearby bench, his brow furrowed with concern. "Both, probably. Elaine Deveaux isn't known for her subtlety."

I sink onto the bench, one hand coming to rest protectively over my stomach. The baby flutters inside me, as if sensing my distress, and I have to blink back sudden tears.

"What am I going to do?" I whisper, the words barely audible. "How am I supposed to protect this baby when I can't even stand up to Elaine without falling apart?"

Sonya kneels in front of me, taking my hands in hers. "Hey, none of that. You're not alone in this, Cara. We're all here for you, every step of the way."

Song nods emphatically, his earlier anger softening into fierce determination. "Damn straight. That old hag doesn't know who she's messing with. We Briers stick together."

A watery laugh escapes me, and I squeeze Sonya's hands gratefully. "God, what would I do without you guys?"

"Crash and burn, probably," Louis teases, but his eyes are soft with affection. "Good thing you're stuck with us."

For a moment, we sit in companionable silence, the warmth of their love and support washing over me like a balm. But then Song clears his throat, his expression turning serious.

"So, uh, about Amethyst," he begins, fidgeting nervously. "…she might not really be pregnant..."

I tense, my heart rate picking up. "What?"

He runs a hand through his hair, a habit he's had since childhood when he's trying to work out a particularly tricky problem. "I don't know, it's just... something felt off, you know? The way she was standing, the way her hand kept moving to her stomach like she had to remind herself it was there."

Louis nods slowly, his brow furrowed in thought. "Now that you mention it, I noticed that too. And did you see how she froze? That wasn't poise. That was panic."

A spark of something - hope? fear? - ignites in my chest. "You really think she might be faking it?"

Sonya shrugs, but her eyes are sharp, calculating. "It's not unheard of. Especially in circles like the Deveauxs', where appearances are everything."

"But why?" I ask, my mind racing to keep up with the implications. "What could they possibly gain from pretending Amethyst is pregnant?"

"Control," Louis says grimly. "Over June, over you, over the whole damn situation. If they can convince everyone that June's moved on, that he's starting a family with Amethyst..."

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