Page 59 of Protected By the Sinner
I don’t correct him and wait for what he has to say.
“But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. It’s something I doubt either of you know, otherwise... well, she wouldn’t have tried to...”
“She didn’t try to kill herself,” I cut in, not sure why I’m even defending her.
What do I really know about her?
He doesn’t contradict me, but I can see doubt in his face. “It’s not my place to judge Miss Martin but to protect life. That’s why I asked to speak with you.”
“Just give it to me straight.” I’m not in the mood for bullshit today. My universe used to run in straight lines. Right now, I don’t even know which direction to turn.
“We had to run several tests on her, not just a skull X-ray. We drew blood as well. When the results came back, I was relieved I hadn’t ordered a CT scan or an MRI.”
“You know best, I’m sure,” I say, though I still have no idea where he’s going with this. “You said the tests didn’t show anything abnormal. Did she break anything?”
“No, nothing. Miss Amber isn’t sick, but you should know she’s carrying a life inside her. I assume you’re the father.”
“Can you repeat what you just said?” I know my voice comes out sharp, irritated, because I’m sure this idiot has made a mistake and I hate wasting my time.
“Your girlfriend is pregnant,” he says again, calm as if I’m too dense to grasp it. “Based on the pregnancy hormone levels in her bloodwork, I’d say she’s somewhere between nine and twelve weeks along. In a few months, the two of you will have a baby. Congratulations.”
“Amber is pregnant with my child?”
He looks at me silently, and I know what he’s thinking: only she and I can answer that.
“It’s mine,” I say out loud, with certainty. “She’s been with me the whole time these past months.”
“Then I suppose it’s good news.”
Now I’m the one who doesn’t respond, and he seems to sense something’s off.
“I don’t mean to pry into your private life, but I’d advise you not to start any serious arguments with her. Right now, Miss Martin needs peace if she’s going to deliver a healthy baby.”
My child.
In a few months, I’m going to be the father of a baby with the woman who’s been lying to me this entire time.
“Normally I wouldn’t even share news of the pregnancy,” the doctor continues, apparently unfazed by my silence, “but I was concerned the accident may not have been entirely accidental. I worry Miss Martin may be mentally unstable.”
There’s nothing I can say to that. I don’t really know Amber—not truly—but my gut tells me she wouldn’t take her own life.
“How long will she be sedated?”
“A few more hours at most. When she wakes up, she’ll be in some pain. Even without broken bones, the bruising to the head and body will hurt.”
“I want to see her.”
Chapter 26
I blink a few times before opening my eyes. The light stings my pupils, and it takes a few seconds before I can focus on my surroundings.
It doesn’t take long to realize I’m in a hospital room. I try to remember how I got here, but nothing comes to mind.
I look around, searching for someone, and see a nurse sitting in an armchair across the room.
“Please...” My voice comes out raspy, scratching my throat, and I realize I’m incredibly thirsty. “Please,” I try again. “Can you tell me what happened?”
The woman startles awake. “Oh, sweetheart. We weren’t expecting you to wake up just yet. Are you in pain?”
