Page 45 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

“My baby,” I cried in relief and pressed kisses nonstop to his face while he giggled.

“Chloe?” I heard Tristan’s voice from behind me.

There was a gunshot when I turned to look at him.

14

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Shock Waves

THREE YEARS AGO

Something had changed. I couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but it made me restless. Ever since I had gotten that call that night, my mood had deteriorated. It felt like there was a shift in the air, an eerie feeling slowly settling in my space. I couldn’t get as much sleep as before, my anxiety tripled, and I’d somehow etched it in my head that he was coming for me, coming to take away the little joy I had built up here. There were moments I just stared at my phone, expecting him to call again. Maybe he was tracking me. Should I get a new phone? Maybe I was overreacting. I had been cautious, searching for any sign of him in the crowd. I’d refused to go for walks with Yoselin, making excuses about backaches and my feet throbbing. Everything had been going so well. I was finally blending in, and then he’d called. It could have been Adrian or Belvina who had given him my number. This was the reason I couldn’t trust anyone. They always found a way to betray me.

Friday, I kept my eyes on every customer that walked into the flower shop. My paranoia was getting the best of me, and my heart beat faster every time someone walked in. I couldn’t let him win again. I would fight back. I had finally been happy again, building a life for myself and getting my shit together, and he’d had to ruin it with one phone call, where he said nothing.

The flower vase in my hand slipped when I got a glimpse of a familiar hair color, but it turned out to be a lady.

“Are you okay?” Mrs. Rodriguez asked, rushing to my side. “Breathe,” she whispered, rubbing my back.

I hadn’t known I was hyperventilating and shaking.

“Yoselin!” she called, putting an arm around me.

Yoselin ran to us, looking concerned.

“Take her to the house and make sure she has some rest,” Mrs. Rodriguez said.

Yoselin took my arm and led me out of the floral shop. I didn’t say a word as we walked to the house. My head was twirling with questions and every possibility of him coming after me. Yoselin guided me into the house, holding my arm like I was a fragile piece.

“Do you need water? Anything?” Yoselin asked when we entered my room.

“No. Go back to the store and help your mom. I will be fine.” I forced a smile and lay back on the bed.

“You’re overworking yourself. You need to rest. Call me if you need anything.” Yoselin frowned, her long hair bouncing down her back as she walked away.

I curled into a ball on the bed and closed my eyes. The only solution to my paranoia was to call the number and be sure it wasn’t him. I would feel much better and at ease, knowing it wasn’t him who had called. I reached for my phone and dialed the number.

What if it was him? I couldn’t stand hearing his voice. It wasn’t too late to end the call. Someone answered when I tried to hang up.

“Thank you for calling Genesis rehab Center. How may I help you today?” A feminine voice came from the other end.

Rehab center?

“Sorry, wrong number,” I said quickly and ended the call.

Is he in therapy? Is it really him? Should I call back and ask if he is there?It would clear all my suspicions.

“I feel like screaming,” I groaned. I buried my face in the pillow and did just that.

***

The following week, I visited the clinic for an ultrasound. I was so nervous that I had to beg Mrs. Rodriguez to come with me. The clinic was a small facility, not well funded from the looks of it but it was what I could afford.

We sat in a waiting room for hours before we were called in. Mrs. Rodriguez translated for me, and I was more than happy to bring her along. I held my breath as the doctor smeared gel on my big bump and reached for a device. I stared at the computer beside me as she moved the device around my bump.

“Oh, wow. There are two. You are having twins!” Mrs. Rodriguez exclaimed, looking excited while I was frozen in time, trying to process the image in front of me.

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