Page 10 of Say You're Mine

With trembling fingers, I dial the number I know by heart, the digits seared into my brain. It rings once, twice, and then...

"Hello?" Her voice, groggy and confused, filters through the receiver like a siren's song, and I feel something in my chest crack wide open.

"Cara," I breathe, and it's like a prayer, a benediction. "It's me."

There's a sharp intake of breath, a pause that stretches for an eternity. And then, like a dam bursting, the words come pouring out.

"June? Oh my God, June. Where are you? Are you okay? What happened?"

I close my eyes, letting her voice wash over me, a balm to my battered soul. "I'm okay," I assure her, even as the lie tastes bitter on my tongue. "I'm in a...a facility. A hospital."

"A hospital?" Her voice rises with alarm, tinged with panic. "June, what's going on? Please, talk to me."

I swallow hard, forcing back the rising tide of emotion that threatens to choke me. "It's a long story," I manage, my voice rough and raw. "But I need you to know, Cara. I need you to know that I'm sorry. For everything."

She's crying now, I can hear it in the hitch of her breath. "June, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it, love?"

"I'm pregnant."

The world stops. For a moment, there's only static, the deafening roar of disbelief.

"Pregnant?" I echo, my voice a strangled rasp.

"You're going to be a father, June." Her words cut through the chaos, soft yet certain.

Emotion clogs my throat, a heady mix of elation and terror. A father. The enormity of it threatens to overwhelm me.

But beneath the shock, a fierce protectiveness surges to life. This child, our child...I would burn the world to ash to keep them safe.

"Cara," I manage, pouring every ounce of love and conviction into her name. "I'm going to get out of here. I'm going to come back to you, to both of you. I promise."

"I know," she whispers, and the faith in her voice is a balm to my battered soul. "I love you, June. We'll be waiting for you."

Dr. Brenneman's presence looms, a reminder of the cage that still holds me. "I love you too," I choke out. "More than anything. I have to go, but Cara...hold on for me. I'm coming."

The line goes dead, and I'm left reeling, my heart pounding against my ribcage. A baby. A piece of Cara and I, growing even now.

Dr. Brenneman clears his throat, a pointed reminder of his authority, his control. "I hope that provided the closure you needed, Juniper," he says, his voice dripping with condescension.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. Inside, I'm screaming, raging against the cage of my own making.

But I swallow it down, force it into submission. I can't afford to lose control. Not now. Not when I'm so close to freedom I can taste it.

"It did," I manage, my voice carefully neutral. "Thank you, Doctor. For everything."

He nods, a dismissive jerk of his chin. "Very well. You may return to your room."

I stand, my legs leaden, and make my way to the door. But as my hand touches the knob, Dr. Brenneman's voice stops me in my tracks.

"And Juniper?" he calls, a note of warning in his tone. "Don't mistake my generosity for weakness. You're here for a reason. And you will complete your treatment, one way or another."

I pause, my back to him, and let a slow smile curve my lips. It's a vicious thing, all sharp edges and barely restrained violence.

"Of course, Doctor," I say, my voice honey-sweet and dripping with venom. "I wouldn't dream of it."

And then I'm gone, stalking down the hallway with renewed purpose, my mind awhirl with half-formed plans and desperate schemes.

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