Page 47 of Severance

Fuck.

It’s none of his business, but I can already tell that he’s the type of man who will get whatever information he needs… by any means necessary.

I’d rather skip the torture and just use the goddamn phone.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I shift my weight nervously. “They have information on our child that Anthony helped them cover up and hide from me.”

Nik’s eyes widen. “Oh, shit. You got knocked up when you were in that porno ring?”

I cringe inwardly at his crass words and lack of filter and give him a curt nod.

“And it was his?” he questions, glancing over at Kai.

I nod again and although it was out of my control, I can’t help but feel the guilt settling inside me.

“Neither of us knew until today, when Anthony told us. I didn’t notice the signs before and after we were rescued, I was immediately taken into surgery when I got to the hospital.”

“Damn,” Nik breathes. “That’s some heavy shit, babe. And no one told you?”

Shaking my head, I frown. “I was a minor so my parents made the doctors keep everything hush, hush. They told me that I had to have my appendix removed. Turns out, I had a fucking baby and Anthony helped them to make her disappear. I didn’t even know they knew him!”

Nik chuckles as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a sleek iPhone. “Everyone knows Anthony.” He hands me the phone. “Make it quick.”

Taking a deep breath, I dial my mother’s phone number that I know by heart.

She never changed it, maybe she was hoping that I would one day call.

“Hello?” Her light voice asks hesitantly as she answers my call.

My palms become sweaty as I suddenly freeze and let out a ragged breath.

“Hello?” she asks again in a higher pitch, laced with panic.

“Hi, Mom,” I breathe into the phone as Nik watches me.

She gasps loudly. “Dahlia?” She whispers.

“Um, can we talk?” I let out the words in a rush. “In person.”

“Of course,” she says excitedly. “Come over now?”

Pulling the phone away from my face, I glance down at the time. “It’s almost midnight.”

“I stay up late. Please,” she pleads. “Come now.”

I nod to myself as Nik shifts his weight impatiently. “Okay. I’ll be there soon.”

She says something into the phone, but I’m already ending the call and handing it back to Nik.

“I need another favor,” I tell him quietly.

Nik rolls his eyes and smiles. “Yes, I’ll give you a ride.”

“Give her a ride where?” Alek questions as he enters the bedroom.

“To her parents.” Nik shrugs. “They have info on her kid that they hid from her.”

Alek stares at me stoically and clenches his jaw as Nik turns back to me.

---