Page 3 of Flawed

Time seems to stand still. Goose bumps break out on my arms. I shudder, shaking my head.

No. No. No.

How did I let this happen?

"Are you okay?" he asks.

More shock fills me. "What do you mean I'm pregnant? That's not possible."

"You had unprotected sex," he points out.

"Once!" I exclaim, understanding how ignorant it sounds.

He glances at the ceiling, takes a frustrated breath, then locks his disapproving eyes on me. "It doesn't matter how many times you have sex. It only takes once. The pill isn't one hundred percent reliable."

Now you tell me?

My insides quiver. Tears fill my orbs and I blink hard, but they fall fast.

He softens his tone. "You said you don't have a boyfriend. Do you know who the father is?"

Luca...

Oh my God.

I don't even know the last name of my baby's father.

It doesn't matter. He works for the Abruzzos.

No. No. No.

This is not happening!

I snap, "Of course I know who he is!"

Dr. Depeckin holds his hands in the air. "I wasn't insinuating—"

"I need to go," I state, jumping out of my chair and grabbing my clothes.

"Ms. Moulin, we need to discuss prenatal care," he asserts.

I toss my shirt over the paper gown and step into my skirt, not bothering with my bra or panties. I shove them into my oversized bag and move toward the door.

He calls out, "Ms. Moulin!"

I yank on the knob. "Thank you." I rush toward the exit sign, barely seeing it through my tears. I toss cash at the front desk girl. It's probably way more than what I owe, but another second in this office, and I'm going to lose it.

Somehow, I make it through the building. I wipe my face, toss my sunglasses on, and hail a cab. The entire ride is a blur.

Numbness sets in as I climb six flights of stairs, avoiding the elevator so I don't have to see anyone in my building. I get into my apartment, go into the bathroom, and strip.

For a long time, I study my body, cursing myself. My belly looks the same. My breasts, too.

Maybe he's wrong.

He's not.

How could I be so naive?

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