Page 116 of The Doctor's Twins

Those things shouldnotmake it to the list of qualities I want in a man.

And yet, here I am, drooling over him right after I accepted his job offer.

So now, on top of everything else, he’s also my boss.

Edward’s touch sets me on fire, but it would only have to last in the moment.

His arms might be my safe haven, but a future with him is impossible.

I truly believe that, but the positive pregnancy test tells a different story.

It paints an uncertain future that I’d never expected.

The news would destroy every relationship, and my head tells me to run away.

Will he come looking for me if I do?

Maddie

“Madelyne Williams,” Mrs. Davies, my seventh-grade teacher, called.

I stood up, smoothed out the creases on my blouse and pleated skirt, and walked to the center of the room, where almost a hundred pairs of eyes watched me closely.

My whole seventh grade class, along with many of their parents, had gathered to view the end of term presentations.

Mrs. Davies had called me to go first.

I’d been preparing my presentation on Martin Luther King Junior, and the 1950’s civil rights movement, for months, knowing whatever grade we get on the presentations would go to our final overall grade at the end of the year.

With a grade average of High A’s, I had a reputation to maintain.

Before I started to give my presentation, I scanned the group of gathered adults, looking out for my mother and father.

They’d promised me they’d be here.

I quickly caught sight of my governess, Mrs. Yorke, and sighed.

Of course, my parents weren’t here. They were never here. Why should I expect anything different?

It didn’t matter that they’d promised they’d be here. It wasn’t the first promise to me my parents had broken. For a family to whom appearances meant everything it seemed only their appearances were important. As long as I was safely tucked away at Boston’s top private school, and maintaining my excellent grades, in my parents’ eyes their job had successfully been done.

I swallowed around the hurt and frustration bubbling in my throat, plastered my best smile on my face, and began giving my presentation.

By the end of it, Mrs. Davies was beaming, and all the parents were clapping. I saw Mrs. Yorke grinning with pride, as she clapped the loudest of all.

“Excellent work, Madelyne. I have no doubt you’ll be maintaining your excellent grade record,” Mrs. Davies said, as I pushed a lock of long, red hair behind my ear, and returned to my desk.

The rest of the class’s presentations followed, and I listened intently like an obedient student, as we heard submissions on various topics, like Newton's laws of motion, the Scientific Revolution and Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott.

All the parents applauded after every presentation, and Mrs. Davies found something to compliment in every submission. In fact, a few of my classmates had really stepped up their game, giving presentations on par with my own. It felt great to be challenged academically.

Once all the presentations had been given, Mrs. Davies allowed us a few moments to chat with our parents, and I walked over to Mrs. Yorke.

“Brilliant work, Maddie,” she complimented, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “Your parents send their love, and their apologies that they couldn’t be here. Your father had a last minute, unexpected meeting with the mayor.”

My father’s work as a politician always came first, and my mother was never not by his side.

I knew I should have been grateful. My father’s work meant that we lived in luxury in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, and I attended the best private school in the city.

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