Page 86 of The Genius
Marco angled his head. “Shelly, look at me and tell me again that you’re having your period.”
I hesitated, my fingers fiddling, my feet moving around.
“Shellyyyy.”
“Marco, I…” My voice failed me, and I blew out air and looked up at the ceiling. “I can’t.”
“Why?”
When I didn’t answer, Marco drew the logical conclusion. “You aren’t having your period, are you?”
“No.” It came out as a whisper.
“Then why the fuck am I here?” he exclaimed in a deep voice.
“I’mnotpregnant. My period is just late, that’s all.”
“You keep saying that, but it’s been over a month since we had sex the first time and when I asked you when you last had your period, you said it had been a few weeks before we were together the first time. That means that you are more than two weeks late. I’ve looked it up, Shelly, and you should have gotten it by now.”
“Marco, even if I am pregnant, it shouldn’t stop you from following your dream.”
“My dream?” He was frowning. “Shelly, you’re carrying my child. That changes everything.”
“You don’t know that I am for sure.”
“I’m coming home.” There was such decisiveness in his words, but it was freaking me out.
“Marco, what if I’mnotpregnant? Don’t throw away your chance to win the money and your Northlander bride. You’re going to resent me forever.”
“I’m leaving now and I’m coming straight to you. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be there tonight and then we’ll find a doctor.”
“Don’t be foolish,” I objected. “If you want proof, I can go to a doctor myself and call you with the result.”
Marco shook his head. “No. You already lied to me about this twice.”
“Because I don’t want to come between you and your dream.”
He looked like he wanted to scream at me but turned his head and collected himself before he spoke. “Promise me that you’ll be there when I get back. If you take off to the Motherlands, I don’t know what I’ll do to you, Shelly.”
“Is that a threat?”
“More like a warning. I fucking told you not to lie to me, and you did it again.”
“It was a white lie,” I defended myself.
“No, it was a huge, fucking, life-altering lie, and if you can’t see that then you’re not as smart as everyone thinks.”
“I didn’t mean to lie, it just happened.”
“Just be there when I get back. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I breathed.
Marco stared at me, not talking for some seconds.
“I promise,” I added before we ended the call.
For three hours I walked around in a haze waiting for Marco to arrive. At least seven times I checked to see if I’d gotten my period, but there wasn’t even a bit of spotting in my panties.
