Page 188 of The Catalyst

“Thank you,” Beth mutters before she smiles up at me like hearing we’re having a boy is the greatest news in the world. Has she not paid attention to the world around us? Boys are assholes, and girls are bitches. We’re two prime examples. I know I’m an asshole, and she’s well aware that she’s a bitch. However, I wouldn’t have her any other way.

CHAPTER 74

BETH

Ilay in bed with my head on my pillow as I stare up at the ceiling, touching the bump on my stomach. I take a deep breath before smiling to myself.

A boy.

I’m having a boy.

I don't know why it makes me so happy. I’ve never really thought about what I would be having. I only knew that I already loved this baby and that he will be perfect, no matter who he turns out to be, but I didn’t think further than that. Now, I’m picturing what he’ll look like and hoping he takes after his father in that department.

A barely noticeable shudder echoes through my stomach, and my eyes shoot down to my tiny bump, my eyes wide. “Was that you, or am I just hungry?” I joke to the empty room, but then I feel it again, and tears burn in my eyes. My baby boy is moving, he’s healthy, and we’re both safe.

Nothing could possibly make me happier than this. My son.

Suddenly, my phone beeps from beside me, and my gaze darts to the noise before I turn over, grabbing the offending device.

It’s a text from Nolan. He wants me there for dinner tonight.

My skin crawls from the thought. I haven’t complained, and I’ve managed to keep my mouth shut when I’m around the Gray family. The alternative is putting my son in harm’s way, and I’m doing everything to avoid that. Since I’ve been abiding by his rules, Nolan hasn’t tried to touch me or Martin. Thank fucking God. I swear, if he does it, I’ll intentionally puke on him. Maybe that will deter him from laying a finger on me or Martin.

I respond quickly, letting him know that I’ll be there soon.

I swear, the next demand I will make of this man is to get me a fucking car. Taxis are not cheap, and my funds are getting low. It could be a while before I can start working again.

Right.

I’m marrying into the Gray family, but I won’t start getting paid by them until I actually marry Michael. At that point, I’ll receive anallowancefor whatever I want, and money will be put away into two separate accounts for the child I will inevitably have, one for college and one for a trust fund. That kid will be set for life, but if I have it my way, my child will not turn out like Nolan.

This baby growing in my belly will not be subjected to the things whatever child I have by the Gray family will be. This baby will be loved, cared for, and know how to be a decent human being…unlike Nolan. Martin is the exception to the rule. Michael is out for himself. He can’t be trusted to give anyone a helping hand unless it won’t negatively affect him.

It will be a cold day in hell before I let a kid of mine turn out like that.

Climbing out of bed, I get dressed in one of my sundresses and sandals before I call myself a cab. Really, at this point, I should get a loyalty discount, or crazy thought, Nolan should start paying my cab fare. It’s the least he could do after everything he has put me through.

I fire off a couple of texts to Oliver, Judy, and my mom to update them on my plans.

Twelve years can’t fly by quickly enough. I just want to be free of all this and get back to my life because, as it stands, my life is on hold until this contract is up, and the start of the twelve years hasn’t even happened.

I was so lost in my own head that I didn’t notice when the cab pulled up to the mansion.

“We’re here, miss,” the cab driver says, and I sit up before fishing through my purse, pulling out enough cash to cover the fare and a tip.

“Have a good evening,” I mutter with a smile before I climb out of the cab and straighten my dress.

That sickly feeling I got when I came here the first time is back with a vengeance. Something awful is coming, but I don’t know what it is, so I can’t prepare myself for it.

Walking up the steps, my breath catches from the silence in and outside the house. It’s way too quiet, and that alone scares me.

I press my finger on the doorbell, and one of the butlers, Mitchell, opens the door for me with a kind smile. He’s much nicer than the shithead butler that earned a place on my shit list.

“Evening, Mitch,” I say with a smile as I walk inside. “How’s Iliana?”

The help doesn’t talk to me much, but I’m a nosy bitch, so I eavesdrop whenever they gossip. Mitchell has been married to Iliana, one of the kitchen staff, for over ten years. They’ve been struggling for the past five years to have a baby.

It’s so unfair how someone like me can accidentally get pregnant while someone like Iliana struggles for the same end goal. I hate how cruel this world can be.

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