Page 4 of Used

Two years in, my hope is waning.

I am waiting for the news from my doctor today, and the disappointment to follow will surely crush me.

The patient room the nurse led me into is painted a plain, soft eggshell color, creating a calm and neutral environment. However, it’s still just like any other doctor’s office, with its familiar medical equipment and sterile atmosphere. The most notable difference is the personal touch added by the blown-up photos of patients with their babies and children, which are proudly displayed alongside the medical posters that hang around the office. These posters depict various aspects of women’s health, such as prenatal care, childbirth, contraception, and reproductive health, offering educational information while reinforcing the clinic’s focus on caring for both mother and child.

Since being guided into the room, I’ve been scrolling through my endless emails, all of which have already been culled by my assistant, Oliver.

I’m trying to distract myself with work from the dread forming in my chest when my doctor knocks on the door.

“Ms. Snow. How are you doing today?” Dr. Taylor says as she enters the room.

“Fine,” I answer shortly.

“Alrighty. Well, let’s just dive in, shall we?” She glances down at my patient chart with a blank face. “I know we’ve been working towards building up your family.”

I nod curtly, bracing myself for the news I know is coming.

“Well, I believe congratulations are in order then.” The doctor says with a smile on her lips. “You’re pregnant.”

She pats me on the knee before returning to my chart and discussing the information I should be paying attention to.

I wish I could absorb anything that she’s saying right now. Instead, all I can think about is those words.

You’re pregnant.

I’m having a baby.

A baby.

My baby.

I’m going to be a mom.

But… fuck.

I know my period came and went. Twice.

“Excuse me,” I say, interrupting the doctor mid-sentence. “My last period was last week, and my cycle also came the month before. How can I be pregnant?”

“You’ve been tracking your ovulation cycles, correct?” She asks.

“Of course.” I snap a little too curtly. “And we did my last round of IUI during that window two months ago.” I sigh. “I’ve had two periods since then. They came and went, though my most recent one was a little late.”

“Well, what has your sex life looked like recently? If I recall correctly, you haven’t been partnered during the time we worked together. Has that changed?” She asks, head tilting in curiosity before continuing. “With the fertility treatments, your body would be more receptive to any additional introductions of semen around your ovulation periods.”

“I haven’t...” I stop.

Shit.

The weekend of Selene’s engagement party.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I only remember that night through a haze of hormones, but I definitely had sex at The Playground Club that weekend.

The Playground is a membership club that caters to swingers and kinksters.

It’s a sex club.

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