A Second Chance at Love

Congratulations

Chapter 8

Parker’s POV

I planned on our divorce being completed before I turned twenty-five anyway. It should be easier to push it through when he gets arrested. I was still early for my appointment, so I made a quick stop at a local drug store to pick up some sleeping pills on my way to the doctor’s office. I was not going to allow a repeat of what happened this morning, not if I could help it. I was going to doctor up his sweet tea at dinner tonight and make sure he gets a good night’s sleep.

I plan on leaving the house before he wakes up in the morning anyway, as I need to meet with my attorney. Then all I have to do is get a bag packed and hide it in my trunk before Nolan comes home from work tomorrow. I think everything was going to go well. I wasn't going to pack much. I wanted him to have the false sense of security that I would come back. This far along, I would start showing soon and would need to get more clothes anyway. I was anxious while I waited to see the doctor. It was embarrassing to have to admit why I was there in the first place.

I tried to be patient, even though I didn’t want to be here being tested in the first place. I still can't believe that I have to go through this, all because my husband couldn’t keep it in his pants. Although I haven’t known Brandie for long, I’ve heard rumors about her. I didn’t want to take any chances with my health. Nolan doesn’t like using condoms, and we were trying to get pregnant. There was no reason to use them. I was glad that he had worn one last night, but who's to say they use a condom every time? I wasn't willing to bet on it.

I was relieved when I was finally called back and could escape the stares in the waiting room. I was glad I came now. I’ve already decided to move back to Chattanooga. Doing it now spared me the embarrassment of being tested there. It shouldn’t have been a big deal to get tested, but sometimes people love to tear you down when you’re at your weakest point.

My doctor, Sheila Flemming, came into the room to speak with me about what I needed to get done, and I didn’t sugarcoat it. I gave her the Cliff Notes version of what was going on. She suggested that I do a urine and blood test. Advising that the blood test would find more serious infections that didn’t show up on the urine test. Then our conversation got harder.

“Parker, you mentioned to me on your annual visit a few months ago that you and Nolan were thinking of starting a family. Is there any possibility that you could be pregnant?” she asked.

I thought back to how tired I had been recently. I thought it was just depression, but now that she mentions it, I can't remember when I had my last cycle. I remember the one right before my parents passed was pretty light. Please, God, don’t let me be pregnant. I don’t want anything to remind me of my time with Nolan. I didn’t want to tie us together for the rest of our lives.

“It’s possible,” I managed say.

“We will run a pregnancy test along with the STD tests. The pregnancy test will come back quickly. The other tests could take up to five to seven days for all the results to come back. I will call you with the results when they come in,” she advised.

The nurse came in, drew two vials of blood, and then showed me to the restroom to give the urine sample. I returned to the room to wait for the results. I’ve missed my parents every day since I lost them. When it comes to anything important, my first thought is to call them to let them know. Their loss felt even more significant. What am I going to do? I already knew what she was going to come back in here and say. If I had found out yesterday, I would have been ecstatic, over the moon. Today, I was horrified at the thought of having his child. I don’t even know if I could get past the fact that the child belonged to Nolan.

I don’t know how much time passed while I was waiting, but my mind raced to problem-solve. I was thinking about what I would do if I really were pregnant. I wanted to know what my next steps would be either way this turned out. I touched my stomach gently. Could I be pregnant? I’ve always wanted to be a mother, and Nolan knew that. I always wanted to have three children, so they would have a built-in playmate. I'd always wanted a sibling when I was growing up. Glad that I had Connor to fill that need for me, so I wasn't alone. I already thought of him as a brother, not a cousin.

There was a knock on the door before Sheila re-entered the room. “I hope this is good news for you, Parker. You are pregnant.”

Even though I was expecting the news, I was still stunned. “You’re sure?” I asked.

“Yes, both the urine and blood tests came back positive. I was waiting for the blood test results for confirmation. I'm going to use the ultrasound to see how far along you are,” Sheila replied.

The next ten minutes that followed weren’t clear. I was shocked to learn that I was going to be a mother. I just hated that the baby had Nolan for a father. Maybe it was for the best. I don’t know if I could learn to trust again after what Nolan did to me. If I did, I knew it wouldn’t be a quick process. This might very well be my only chance at being a mother. I had already decided to keep it. Turns out, I was almost three months pregnant. I never even realized I was pregnant because I was so grief-stricken.

I was given a prescription for prenatal vitamins and instructions on limiting seafood during the pregnancy and avoiding foods high in mercury. She reminded me that she would contact me with the test results once they were in. I told her I was changing numbers soon and would text her tomorrow with my new number. I sat in my car for a while, trying to wrap my head around my new reality. I was pregnant and about to be a single mother. I never had that on my bingo card.

I fell for Nolan’s sweet words. His assurance that we would always be together, and that he loved me. I wish I could punch him in his smug, handsome face. He thought this was a game. He lured me in, and I fell in love with him. I made his dreams, mine. Why would he intentionally hurt me like this? He knew how I felt about him. Why wasn’t I enough? How was Brandie better?

Unlike Brandie, I loved Nolan with my whole heart. He wasn’t a means to an end to me; he was the man of my dreams. I wanted him to succeed more than I wanted my own success. I couldn’t understand why he would value her over me. If that was the case, why didn’t he marry her? I knew why. The only value I held for him was my money. Which ironically was the very reason I’m in this situation in the first place.

I sat there until I started to get cold, as the sun had set, before I started my car. I was full of resolve. I was going to keep this child. They were an innocent victim in this, just as I was. I’ve always wanted to be a mother. I knew, without asking them, that my uncle and cousin would be there to support me in my decision. I can do this. I didn’t need Nolan in my life to raise this child. Hell, I wasn’t even planning to tell him I was pregnant. He was going to jail soon anyway. God willing, Nolan and Brandie will go away for the rest of their lives.

I drove home slowly, trying to control my emotions. I feel like the situation was more serious as a baby was involved. I’m glad I decided to leave Nolan sooner, rather than later. I’m not willing to wait and see what they decide to do next. Nolan has a temper. It’s never been aimed at me, but he can be very intimidating when he’s pissed off. I know once the forensic accountant arrives, Nolan is going to be furious. I’m not telling Nolan about the audit. I don’t want him to have time to cook the books. I didn't want him to be able to hide the discrepancies that I knew were there. I also don’t want him to have time to replace the missing funds that I know he ‘borrowed’ from the company. Embezzlement can be an additional charge once he’s picked up.

That should widen the rift between him and Brandie. I will let him know why I ordered the audit once I arrive in Chattanooga. Not the actual reason why I did it. I was just going to tell him that we needed the audit to ensure our business was properly insured. It’s been up and running for three years. The company has grown significantly over the years. Most of that growth was due to our investing in it. We have added equipment and vehicles over the years. You had to have the proper amount of insurance, and an audit is required to reassess coverage.

I was surprised to find Nolan at home when I arrived. It was only five-thirty. He never comes home that early. So I guess he had a falling out with his little girlfriend. I forced myself to let it go. It didn’t matter what happened anymore. His business would most likely be sold off after his arrest. I will be happy to get my investment back. Hence, the audit. I need to know exactly where the business was so I can make an informed decision about what to do next.

“Are you okay, Parker?” Nolan entered the kitchen to ask the minute I entered the garage door.

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?” I replied slowly. I was already suspicious of his actions. Why was he so worried about me all of a sudden?

“You’ve been holed up in the house for so long. I was just worried about you being out after dark. I texted you, and you didn't respond. You always text me back,” he replied. Well, if he wants to play the loving husband, I will play the doting wife.

“Sorry, I missed your text's. Grab your shower, and I'll get dinner ready,” I answered.

I needed him to give me some space so I could grind the sleeping pills up. I was also going to add more sugar to the tea to cover up the taste. I’m sure the sleeping pills were going to be bitter. He should be glad this was all that I was going to do. I actually wanted to hurt him like he had hurt me, but I'll let the courts do their job.

“Sure thing, babe. I will be right back,” Nolan told me before placing a kiss on my temple. I didn’t dodge the kiss. If he knew I was avoiding his touch, he might figure out I heard him last night. Right now, I need to have the element of surprise.