Page 33 of Storm

Not wanting to think about it any longer, I punch in the nine digits, then wait for the prompt to dial Richard’s extension. As soon as I do, the line only rings once before I hear it pick up.

“Richard Leigh.”

I shudder, hearing his voice again and my throat closes up for a moment.Fuck him for rendering me silent.Although, it’s probably more nerves than anything. Before I get a chance, the phone clicks and I hear nothing.

“Did you seriously just hang up on me?” I ask the phone.

Pressing the number again, I reenter his extension and an exasperated, “Richard Leigh,” comes through after three rings this time.

“This is Miriam Delgado. I need to speak with you for a few minutes.”

Instead of greeting me or asking what I’m calling for, he snaps out, “Did you just call me a minute ago?”

“I did, but you hung up before I got a chance to say anything. Listen, I’m very sorry for bothering you at work, but I didn’t know how else?—”

A loud sigh filters through the phone. “Look, I’m going to be as kind as possible, but Miss Delgado, it’s highly inappropriatefor you to be calling me at my place of business. I’m sure we all made it crystal clear that?—”

I cut him off, not wanting to listen to a lecture.

“I’m very aware of what’s appropriate or not, but I promise you, calling you was my last option. I’ve found myself in a bit of a situation and?—”

“If you’ve found yourself short of cash, maybe you should have stuck around long enough for your check. That’s on you, not me. I’d also like to remind you of the NDA you signed the first day we met, which explicitly outlined that there would be zero contact after our visitation time was exceeded and you’re violating that. So, if you’d like to find yourself with more of a financial burden, I suggest you hang up the phone now, otherwise we can have a very different conversation.”

This motherfucker has exhausted my last nerve. I hate that tears well up, but this time they’re out of anger, which infuriates me even more because I amnota crier!

“I’m preg?—”

“Good day, Miss Delgado.” The phone goes silent again.

Yelling into the void, I scream, “I’mpregnant,you fucking asshole!” I throw my phone to my bed and flip it off with both hands, then lean back into my chair to stare at the ceiling.

And that’s the way it goes for the next two weeks. I attempt to call Richard once more at his office, only to be hung up on the moment he hears my voice. Tatum receives a few more messages on all the social media accounts from me, but all remain unread. I can’t blame him too much since he obviously isn’t active on any of them.

Five more calls to Kevin’s office, only to be stonewalled by his receptionist, and three more emails all go unanswered. I’m not sure if he’s reading them, but if he doesn’t answer my last email, that’s on him.

Dear Kevin,

I need to speak to at least ONE of you. I’ve tried multiple times to get in contact, but keep hitting walls. This is my last ditch effort, and I really didn’t want to tell you over email, but I don’t know what else to do.

I’m pregnant.

Over eight weeks now. I’ve attached a photo of my first sonogram with the date so you can be reassured that I’m not lying about it.

Please, contact me.

-Miriam

After hitting send on what I’ve decided to be my last email, I close my laptop, then rush to my bathroom and throw up the breakfast sitting like a brick in my stomach. Planting my ass on the cold tiles, I grab some toilet paper and wipe my mouth, leaning against the cool bathtub and do my best to accept that I’m one hundred percent on my own with this.

My eyes find my cell phone balanced precariously on the edge of the sink. Reaching for it, I blow out a breath and decide it’s time to tell my dad. I’ve been putting it off, wanting to tell him with someone sitting next to me while I deliver the news, but obviously, that’s out the window.

Sniffing back my emotions, I press his number and curse all of them for being absolute disappointments until my papá answers.

“Hola, mija.”

My lip quirks up at his easy greeting, then falls when I know I’m about to lay something heavy on him. Taking a deep breath, I straighten my shoulders and fortify my nerves before potentially breaking his heart.

Disappointing your dad is never easy, and I know this is going to deliver a blow.

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