Page 48 of Shattered Union

"Yeah, and look where this got me." I point to my non-existent bump. "Pregnant and alone."

To that, she doesn't have a reply.

"Why do I always pick the arseholes?" First Keith and now Denis. "I thought he was different. He played me twice, Ava. Twice."

He told me he loved me, that he would come back for me. But it was just a lie. Something to hold me to him. Tie me to him. I guess he's got his wish.

"Are you going to tell him?" she asks, her voice filled with curiosity.

"I have too. But not yet." From my estimation I'm about three months along. "I just need time to wrap my head around this."

She nods. "Call your doctor, they'll get you booked in for your scan and whatnot."

I look at her, she's got a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. She's happy. I love she's happy. I am too, but I'm scared. So bloody scared.

"I will. But I still need to leave," I tell her softly. "I can't stay."

"I know. You need to put distance between ye. You need to heal and then move on."

"So, London?" I ask her with a smile.

"I guess so. I go where you go. It's not like I won't have a job when we get there."

I roll my eyes at her, but continue to smile.

"Go call your doctor. With the amount of money you have, you should be able to get an appointment to have an ultrasound today."

I get to my feet. She's right. "I'll call." I reach for my phone that's beside the pregnancy test. I move to the kitchen and call my doctor.

An hour later, my phone rings, it's a nurse from the medical clinic letting me know I have an appointment for later on that day.

"Will you come with me?" I ask Ava as soon as I end the call.

"Try stopping me," she tells me. "But first, let's get you some food."

That sounds like a good plan. I can't remember the last time I ate today. I think it could have been a slice of toast this morning. Once we’re finished in the clinic, we have to go to Chloe’s dance show. Something I’m excited to see, even if it does mean I’m going to see Denis.

* * *

Climbing into bed, I’m unable to keep the smile from my face. Watching Chloe dance this evening was amazing. She’s brilliant and Denis was a proud father watching her up on the stage. Today, it didn’t hurt as much seeing him. Knowing that I’ll always have a piece of him with me has taken a bit of the heartache away. I’m able to breathe a little easier. I pull the sheets up over my head and it doesn’t take me long to find sleep.

I awaken, struggling to breathe. Something covers my mouth and nose. I thrash beneath it, trying to dislodge it, but it tightens around my face.

What the hell?

As I open my eyes, I see a dark figure hovering over me, his hand pressed tightly against my airways, making it impossible to breathe. All I’m able to see is the whites of his eyes.

"She never told me how you were fucking gorgeous. This is going to be fun." He pants, his breath hot against my skin.

Fear crawls up my spine, blood rushes to my head and my ears.

Who is he? What is he doing here?

Oh, God, I'm going to die. He’s going to kill me and my baby.

"I'm going to fuck you." He presses his nose against my neck and I shudder in repulsion. "What?" he snarls. "Too good for me?" His tongue snakes out, and he licks my neck.

I need to get away. If I don't, he's going to rape and kill me.

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