Page 41 of Relentless Oath

“Yes, my dear. More than you can imagine.” His voice sounded regretful. What had he seen? What did he know?

“I think I’m feeling better now. I’m sorry Dario made you come out this way.” I knew that the exam wasn’t over, but I wanted him gone.

“I don’t live far from the island. And a boat ride in the early evening can be quite invigorating.”

His smile was wry and I liked the way his eyes crinkled with humor. “Either way, I think I’m done here. Don’t you?”

That was fast. What kind of doctor was he?

We exchanged a look, and I realized that he suspected. He suspected, but he could tell that I wasn’t ready to tell anyone about my condition.

Gratefully, I stood up, the vertigo gone.

“Again, I’m sorry that you had to come all this way for nothing. You can tell Dario that I’m completely fine.”

He smiled just a little bit and said sadly, “We both know that’s not true.”

And then he directed his gaze toward my stomach. Instinctively, I crossed my arms over it and then forced myself to drop my hands away.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re pregnant, Mya. I don’t need a urine or a blood test to tell me that. Do you know how I met Dario’s father? It was whileI was doing rotations at a home for unwed mothers. I’m not an OB, but all your symptoms scream pregnancy.”

I turned pale. I had thought we were going to be of one mind about this. Was he going to tell Dario after all?

I felt dizzy again, and he reached out and ushered me to a seat.

“Do you think he knows?”

He shook his head. “Doubtful. But you won’t be able to hide this from him for much longer. He’s an astute, observant young man.”

Tears began to fall down my face, “I don’t know what to do.” The words came out as a whisper.

“For now, you just need to keep the baby safe. No matter what.”

“I’m trying…I just…I don’t know how to do that,” I wiped away my tears and turned to look at the doctor, taking his hand. “Please don’t tell him. I just need time to figure this all out.”

The doctor was silent for a long moment and then gently patted my hand. He stood up, reached for his coat, and shrugged it on.

Then he reached for his journal, looking down at his fancy shoes as he absently traced the edges of the leather-bound book. He appeared deep in thought.

Finally, he looked up, reached for his bag, took out a package of pills, and pressed them into my hands.

“This will help with the nausea and dizziness. I’ll keep your secret, Mya.” Awkwardly, he patted my shoulder. “No matter the cost.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, but he was already gone.

Could I trust him?I wondered. It didn’t matter. The truth was that I couldn’t hide my secret for much longer.

I needed to get out.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Dario

She sat stifflynext to me in the restaurant, moving the food around on her plate but not really looking at me or talking.

She had seemed depressed ever since the doctor had visited. He had said she was fine, that she was just tired and probably stressed. He’d said that she needed more sleep and that she just needed to relax more.

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