Page 100 of A Twisted Arrangement

My trembling fingers hover over the paper instructions. I draped over the test to stop myself from staring at it for two minutes straight.

I gnaw on my bottom lip, wishing Matthias was here for this. Hesitation has my hand pausing midair. I should have waited for him, but there’s no turning back now. I lift the cover before I can chicken out, and my breath catches at the sight of a plus sign dead in the center.

The air whooshes out of me, and I stumble until I sit on the tub’s edge. My heart’s beating erratically, some kind of weird beat unsure if it’s excited or terrified. I have no experience with what a healthy family looks like, and I’m suddenly overcome with fear that I won’t be able to provide one. My mother died before I can remember, and my father was absolute scum. Even my brother was a sadistic asshole.

My chest squeezes as I lay my hand against my flat stomach. “It’s going to be okay.”

Unsure if I’m telling myself or our baby, I get up, tossing the test into the garbage, and make my way into the room to wait for Matthias. All I want is for him to wrap me in his arms and tell me we can do this. That we’re going to make the kind of family that we didn’t have. That nothing is going to hurt our child the way our family hurt us.

Chapter 47

Scarlet

Oliver’s waitingfor me the second I open the door. There are clear, defined lines creasing his forehead as he stands ramrod straight. I guess I’m not the only one freaking out.

“I’m pregnant.” A calmness settles over me as I say the words. Every worry I’d been tumbling over is eclipsed by how right it feels.

Oliver stiffens, his shoulders pulling back as he looks at me and pulls out his phone.

I’m not sure what I expected, but it definitely wasn’t this coldness.

“Wait, I want to tell Matthias myself,” I say as I watch him type something.

He hits a few more buttons and nods. “It’s better that he doesn’t know.”

His words don’t settle well, like they’re a glove that doesn’t fit. He’s watching me now, but the warmth I’d expected, even for him, is completely missing. He’s cold, calm, calculated in how he approaches me, clearing the few feet between us.

He tsks. “I had a plan to get you out of here, but this makes it messy.”

Nothing he’s saying makes sense. “I already told you I don’t want to go. I’m happy staying with Matthias.”

He smiles, but it’s flat. “Of course. I knew you wouldn’t come with me after what you did at the farmhouse. All I had to do was get you to him, but you kept messing it up.”

Alarms go off in my head, and I take a step backward. “What are you talking about? Get me to who?”

“Where do you think you’re going?” The glint of steel is my only warning before he points the muzzle of his gun directly at my chest.

“This isn’t funny.” I freeze, staring at the man who’s been with me for years.

“You’re right. The boss is going to be pissed.” Oliver clicks the safety off. “Mr. O’Connor will just have to understand. I can’t let you live, carrying that bastard’s heir.”

A tremble travels down my spine, but I don’t have time to panic. I push the fear and betrayal into the recesses of my gut to process later. All that matters right now is that our baby and I make it out of here alive. I need to act and pray I don’t make the wrong choice.

“Who are you talking about? Who is Mr. O’Connor… I thought…” My voice cracks. “I thought we were friends.”

Oliver’s laugh is cruel. “You are so naive, Scarlet. You never once questioned where I came from. Even Matthias, with all his skills, couldn’t dig anything up on me except what I wanted him to see. I have hated you from the moment we met. I’ve been biding my time for years, waiting for my boss to give me the go-ahead to ruin you. Haven’t you wondered why so many things have been happening to you lately?”

“Of course I have, but you were supposed to protect me.” My fists clench at my sides, and I force air through my lungs. I can freak out later.

“You really should be careful who you trust.” He lifts the gun higher between us. “I’m sorry to cut this short. I don’t want to be here when your asshole husband shows up.”

I have one chance to get out of here, but if he calls my bluff, I’m screwed.

“Matthias!” I scream out my husband’s name as if he’s standing directly behind Oliver. My guard falls for my trick, momentarily taking his eyes off me. It’s all the time I need to slam my palm into his chest while simultaneously kicking his foot out from under him. He crashes to the floor, air whooshing out, and his gun clatters a few feet away, giving me just enough time to make a break for the door. I only take three steps before fingers wrap around my ankle and yank me hard. I catch myself on the coffee table, struggling for breath as I desperately try to kick him off me. Those familiar eyes I’ve trusted for the last seven years stare back at me as he tries to pull me under him.

Shit. I grab onto the only thing I can and lift the heavy ceramic lamp. Oliver’s eyes go wide, mouth dropping open, catching his attention for the split second it takes me to slam it down on his face. The ceramic disintegrates upon impact. Gripping a sharp shard, I move so my knee is on his chest and scream as I drive it into his neck.

Tears well in my eyes as blood pools over my hand.

---