Page 612 of Cheaters: A Dark Romance Anthology

Five tests. All positive. They can’t all be wrong.

Pregnant.

A tear falls down my cheek. How did this happen? I can’t. It’s not possible. Damien is always so careful. He wears a condom every single time, even though I’m on birth control. Did I take my pill today? The days have been a blur. Setting the gallon jug down, I rub my temples. Opening the vanity cabinet, I pull out the circular ring of pills. It feels like I’ve been on the same packet for two months now.

Shrugging, I toss it back in the drawer. Maybe it’s a good thing Damien always wears a condom. I glance back up at the tests. He couldn’t have gotten me pregnant –

Oh, god. No.

Turning, I throw up in the toilet. The alcohol burns even worse on its way back up. Curling into a ball on the floor, more tears fall. My hands wrap around my torso. I don’t feel different. My stomach doesn’t look different. Maybe I can ignore it. Pretend it doesn’t exist.

A harsh laugh escapes my cracked lips as I cry harder. I can’t ignore it, just like I can’t ignore the darkness or the cravings.

Shaking my head, I pull myself up from the floor. I grab my phone and stare at it a few minutes before I open up the text messages.

“I can’t have it.” I can’t.

Pulling up Kane’s number, I text him.

Me: Can you take me to a store?

His reply comes a few seconds later.

Kane: You were just shopping this morning.

Me: I forgot something.

Kane: Velasquez is headed out to grab lunch. Tell me what you need and I’ll have him pick it up.

My heart races.

Me: No. I need you to take me.

Me: And don’t tell Damien.

A second later, the locked door to my bathroom busts open, breaking on its hinges. Damien barges in, Kane right behind him.

“Tell me what?” He glares at me a second before his eyes land behind me, on the sink counter. His entire demeanor changes. His shoulders sag. The barely contained fury behind his eyes fades.

“I . . .”

“You’re?” The question comes out a whisper as his eyes dart from me to the sink.

My palms sweat. My stomach turns. Before I can stop myself, the lies tumble out. “I-I . . . I wanted to get you something first, make it a surprise.”

“You . . . How?”

My mind races, dark thoughts threatening to take over. I swallow them all down, forcing a weak smile. “I . . . Um . . .”

“Kane, out.” Damien's tone is harsh while a silent war rages beneath his eyes.

Kane backs out of the room, tipping the door back in place behind him. But neither of us moves from our stand-off.

“Ka'u Lokelani,” he closes the distance between us, wrapping his arms around me, “you're pregnant?”

The words won't come. I cannot force myself to say them out loud. Instead, I nod, sniffling as I wipe the tears from my eyes.

He doesn't say anything. He doesn't scold me, beat me, or throw anything. Not like he did.

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