Chapter 5: Ultrasounds and Ultimatums

The next morning, he showed up at my door.

He knocked, bouquet in hand, smile plastered on his face. I almost slammed the door in his face.

“Whit, didn’t you say you weren’t feeling well yesterday? Let me take you to the hospital.”

His concern was fake, but I played along. I wanted to see how far he’d take this act.

I grabbed my purse, straightened my hair, and let him lead me to the car. He acted like the perfect gentleman, opening the door for me, making small talk about the weather.

At the hospital, the doctor smiled and congratulated me.

The room was bright and sterile, the doctor’s smile too wide. She handed me the ultrasound printout, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

“You’re pregnant. Four weeks. Congratulations!”

Her words rang in my ears, unreal. Jason squeezed my hand, his grip too tight.

Pregnant?

I stared at the printout, the tiny blob that was supposed to be a baby. I felt numb, disconnected from my own body.

The suppressed anger on Jason’s face almost convinced me he was an Oscar-worthy actor.

He smiled at the doctor, but his eyes were cold. As soon as we were alone, the mask slipped.

He pulled me into the car.

The doors slammed shut, the world outside fading away. He turned to me, face twisted with rage.

“Tell me, what’s going on? When did you cheat on me? Who’s the man?”

His voice was low, dangerous. I shrank back, tears spilling down my cheeks.

I shook my head, crying. “I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

The words felt like a lie, but they were the truth. I had no idea how any of this had happened.

“How could you not know?”

He shook my shoulders violently. “You don’t know whose bed you ended up in?”

His grip hurt, but I refused to look away. I let the tears fall, hoping he’d see how broken I felt.

“Whitney, I never thought you’d be this shameless.”

The accusation stung, but I bit my lip, refusing to respond.

He got angrier. “Yesterday you blew up at me over Tessa, and today you hand me this massive betrayal. Whitney, you’re something else.”

His words were cruel, meant to wound. I let them wash over me, numb.

I kept crying. “Don’t ask me anymore. I really don’t know whose it is. There were so many, but I can’t remember.”

I buried my face in my hands, the sobs coming hard and fast. I wanted him to feel the weight of what he’d done.

A flash of panic crossed his face. “How many do you remember?”

For a split second, fear flickered in his eyes. He was worried, not for me, but for himself.

Scum. Bastard!

I wanted to scream it at him, but I just kept shaking my head.

I kept shaking my head. “I don’t remember. Really, I don’t. Jason, please, don’t ask me anymore.”

My voice was hoarse, almost gone. He finally let go, slumping back in his seat.

He clenched his fists, took several deep breaths, then hugged me tightly.

His arms were stiff. It felt more like a cage than a hug. I didn’t move.

“It’s fine. We’ll get rid of this bastard, and things will go back to how they were.”

His words were final, no room for argument. I wanted to scream.

No way!

The thought blared in my head, louder than any words. I wasn’t going to let him erase this baby—or what he’d done to me.

I screamed through my tears. “Jason, I’m not good enough for you anymore. I can’t marry you. Let’s call off the wedding.”

My voice broke, but I forced the words out. I wanted him to feel rejected, just once.

He panicked. “How can we call it off? No way. I told you, no matter what happens, no matter how much you hurt me, I’ll forgive you.”

His desperation was almost laughable. He clung to me like I was his last lifeline.

“Whit, as long as you get rid of this baby and give me the shares your parents left you, I’ll forgive you.”

His true motives slipped out, greed shining in his eyes. I wanted to slap him all over again.

“I won’t tell anyone about this. Just quietly get rid of the baby.”

He tried to sound reassuring, but it only made me hate him more.

“Really?”

I asked timidly, tears still on my face. “You really won’t pursue it?”

I played the part, letting him think I was broken and desperate.

“As long as you agree to my terms, I won’t.”

He smiled, thinking he’d won. I felt sick.

I got out of the car immediately. “Fine. Let’s go get rid of the baby right now.”

I slammed the door behind me, not waiting for his response. My hands shook, but I kept moving.

“No!”

Lucas Shaw appeared with the other six scumbags, blocking my way.

They stood shoulder to shoulder, a wall of arrogance and entitlement. I glared at each one, daring them to touch me.

“Jason, your fiancée’s pregnant and you didn’t even tell us?”

Chad’s voice was mocking, a smirk on his lips. The others snickered. I felt a wave of disgust.

“Yeah, this is huge news. Why get rid of it?”

Their interest was fake, but I played along.

“Wait, is the baby not yours? Whitney, did you cheat on Jason?”

They crowded closer, hungry for drama. I shrank back, letting Jason step in front of me.

I hid behind Jason. “No, I didn’t. The baby is Jason’s.”

My voice was small, but I forced myself to meet their eyes.

They started laughing. “Really? Didn’t you say you two never even—what was it—slept together?”

Their laughter was cruel, echoing in the hallway. I bit my lip, refusing to cry.

“Whitney, weren’t you always saying you’d wait until your wedding night? Now you’re pregnant already? Hahaha.”

Their words stung, but I kept my chin up. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

Jason’s face turned red. “Enough. The baby’s definitely mine. We’ll get a test in a month if you don’t believe me.”

His voice was tight, barely controlled. He glared at his brothers, daring them to argue.

He turned to me. “Whit, don’t be scared. I won’t let your reputation get ruined.”

His words were empty, a promise he had no intention of keeping. Liar.

He knew the baby wasn’t his. He just wanted to humiliate me, to win their bet, to make me carry a child I wouldn’t even get answers about until next month.

His cruelty knew no bounds. I gritted my teeth, vowing not to let him win.

Just because the paternity test wouldn’t work until then.

The waiting was torture, but I refused to give in.