Page 138 of Darling Obsession

He clears his throat. “That can’t happen, Quinn.”

The sinking feeling is making me kind of sick. And maybe just a bit angry.

“Why not?”

“Because,” he says evenly, “my family doesn’t know that we’ve been seeing each other, much less that you’re pregnant.”

I’m stunned.

“You haven’t told them… anything… about me?”

“Nothing new. You were introduced to them as Darla, then I told them we broke up. You know that.”

“But… we didn’t break up. Did we?”

“Technically, we were never really together.”

“I can’t believe you’re saying this to me right now.”

“Quinn—”

“Regardless of how you feel about me or don’t, you’re telling me that you never mentioned to any of them that you’ve been seeing me? Or that I’ve been here, working out of your kitchen?” I’m starting to tremble.

“I told you that we couldn’t see each other. That it was unacceptable to them.”

“Yeah, you told me. Like, before we hooked up the first time. Things have changed.”

He stares at me. “What’s changed?” he says gently.

It crushes me.

I don’t want him to be gentle with me.

I want to be furious with him, and how can I do that when he’s being gentle?

“I thought… I just assumed at some point you must’ve mentioned me. Told them we’re seeing each other.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because things have changed! Maybe it hasn’t changed for you,” I say, my voice starting to quiver, “but I’mpregnant, Harlan. That’s about as changed as I can get. I’m bloated. My boobs hurt. My hormones are all over the place?—”

“Try to stay calm,” he says calmly. “It’s not good for the baby.”

I try to keep calm, but it just frustrates me further that he’s so calm. “If you don’t want to tell them about the baby yet, that’s okay. I know it’s a lot. And it’s early. I haven’t even told Mom.”

“It’s not just that.”

“Then what is it? You can’t seriously expect me to be ‘Darla’ forever, even after I have your baby.”

“As far as they’re concerned,” he says carefully, “you are Darla.”

“But I’mnot. Why won’t you just tell them the truth? That you broke up with her, therealher? That she’s GenevièveBlaise? And I’mme. And I’m someone you care about?” My voice wavers on those last words.

I feel desperate. Wounded.

Pathetic.

Harlan looks slightly frustrated, maybe. I really can’t tell. He definitely doesn’t admit that he cares.

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