Page 42 of Mine to Keep

“Because I needed to apologize to you, and I felt … feel ashamed of myself.”

“For God’s sake, why?” he asked.

“Almost killing our child.”

Roland pulled her against his chest. “Oh. God, Love. That was an accident.”

She shook her head. “It was one I caused.”

She tried to put some space between them, but he wouldn’t let her.

“And do you think you’re a bad person because of that?” Stacey asked.

“Oh, I’m not really bad. I’m just not fit to be Roland’s wife and a mother to his child. They deserve a strong woman.”

“Roland, can we sit?” Stacey asked.

Roland sat in one of the big chairs and pulled her onto his lap. From his tight grip, she knew she wouldn’t be able to move off him until he released her. She and the other woman stared at each other.

“I want you to give me an honest answer. Can you do that?” Stacey asked her.

“I’ll try.”

“What will you do after the baby’s born?”

Laila hadn’t tried to think about it. “I’ll go … away.”

“Where?”

“I-I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Don’t you think Roland would miss you?” Stacey asked.

She shook her head. “No.”

“Why would you say that, Love?” Roland asked.

“Because you’re ashamed of me, too.”

He looked shocked. “Where the hell did you get thatidea?”

“You moved me into another room. We never see each other. I go to the doctor by myself. When I wanted to ask if you wanted to go that first time, you snapped at me to leave you alone.”

Laila saw the angry look on Stacey’s face. “Please don’t be mad at him. He has every right to resent me.”

“What the hell do I do?” Roland asked Stacey in a desperate tone.

Laila looked back and forth. “Do about what?”

“You … us?”

“There’s nothing for you to do. I’ll do the best I can to nurture this baby until it’s born, and then you can have the child you want.”

“What would you say if I told you I want you? I never want to let you go. I love you.”

She pressed a hand over his mouth. “Don’t say things like that. It makes it hard for me to stay strong.”

He cupped her face in his hands. “I love you, and I will never let you leave me.”

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