Page 50 of Deceitful Oath

No, Lux,I scold myself.Pharmacy, pregnancy test, just do it.

I slink to the back of the pharmacy, clutching the counter. The woman notices me and walks over, smiling.

“Hello,” she says brightly. “How can I help you today?”

“Hi,” I blurt out. “Is it possible to get pregnant with an IUD?”

Her forehead creases as she looks me up and down. Slowly, she nods. “If it’s expired, the chances increase, of course. How long have you had yours?”

I lower the sunglasses, meeting her gaze with shame. “A few years I think…”

“You’re not sure?” her eyebrows fly up in surprise.

“It’s been acrazyfew years,” I volunteer, shrugging helplessly. She nods and disappears behind the shelves of medicine and supplies. A few moments later, she emerges with a little pink and white box.

“Take it, just in case,” she says, sliding it across the counter. “If it’s positive, you need to see your doctor immediately.”

I nod in horror.It’s not impossible. She didn’t say it was impossible.

“Can I have a second one, too?” I choke out. I vaguely remember a friend telling me you have to take at least two to be sure.

The woman retrieves another test, stacking it on top of the first tidy little box on the counter.

“That’ll be sixteen dollars, please.”

I slide my emergency credit card into her hand, praying it doesn’t get declined. The sale goes through and I stuff thebox into my pocket, thanking her. I race back to Dominic’s penthouse, averting my gaze when I pass the park.

Instead of runners and dog walkers, all I see are mothers and fathers with strollers. The thought makes me sick to my stomach, and I don’t want to be the girl that pukes in front of Dominic’s snooty doorman.

I make it inside without any issues and sprint to the bathroom.

I study the instructions while I wait for the results, my phone set to ring in exactly five minutes. After the longest five minutes of my life, I slowly flip the stick over, holding my breath.

Two lines. Two very clear lines. Shit.

I pull out the second test and repeat the process, hoping for a different result. Positive—again.

I’m pregnant. I’m unemployed, homeless, and pregnant with Dominic’s baby.

After I make an appointment with Planned Parenthood to get this old, useless IUD out, I spend the rest afternoon mulling the news over.

Obviously, the wisest thing to do is tell him immediately so we can make a decision together. I throw myself into cooking a romantic dinner for him, intent on discussing the news like adults.

I’ve wanted to be a mother someday, but not under these circumstances. The dream has always been a husband, a little house, a dog in the yard, and a baby. Instead, I got a flooded apartment, an empty bank account, and a man I just met.

Despite it all, a little ball of happiness blooms defiantly in my chest.I’m going to have a baby,I marvel.

By the time I hear Dominic calling my name from the entryway, I’ve showered, put on a sundress, and set the table up for dinner. He walks into the kitchen, and I throw my arms around him, kissing his neck. He glances around, surprised.

“What’s all this?” he asks, pulling off his jacket and tie.

“Dinner,” I answer simply, dragging him to the table. The desire to tell him the news is itching at my skin and crawling up my throat.I need to do this, and I need to do it now.

A smile flits across his lips, but it’s quickly replaced by something darker. I meet his eyes, seeing a deep sadness, a longing I can’t quite describe. Fear coils low in my belly, and my hand automatically covers it, protecting my secret.

This foreboding feeling again.

“Luxy, come here,” he says softly, pulling me close. His arms wrap around my waist, his chin on my head. “I can’t do this.”

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