Chapter 3

The next morning, Ethan was all business.

"We're going to a clinic," he announced, not looking at me. "DNA test."

"A DNA test? Ethan, I just found out! It's too early for any of that, and why?"

But I knew why. The bet. The five men.

"Just a precaution," he said smoothly. "To make sure everything is as it should be. My clinic, very private."

It wasn't an OB-GYN. It was some sterile, impersonal facility.

When we arrived, my stomach churned.

Tiffany was there, perched on a leather chair in the waiting room, flipping through a magazine.

And the Wolf Pack. All five of them. Lounging, smirking.

My legs felt weak.

Tiffany stood up, her smile sharp. "Sarah, darling. So glad you could make it. Ethan was just so excited about the news."

The doctor, a grim-faced man Ethan clearly knew, took us into an examination room.

"It's very early for a prenatal paternity test," the doctor said, looking uncomfortable. "And it carries risks, especially with a twin pregnancy."

"Do it," Ethan commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Tiffany leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Twins, huh? Wonder if they'll have different fathers. That can happen, you know."

Her voice was light, conversational, but her eyes were full of malice.

The friends snickered. One of them, I think it was Leo, made a crude gesture.

"Yeah, a real party in there," another one muttered.

I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.

My face burned with shame and anger. I looked at Ethan, pleading with my eyes.

He avoided my gaze, staring at a medical chart on the wall.

I refused the invasive test. The doctor looked relieved.

"We can do a non-invasive blood test from the mother in a few weeks," he said.

Ethan looked annoyed but didn't push further in front of the doctor.

As we walked back into the waiting room, a woman I hadn't noticed before, probably another patient, was staring at me with disgust.

She was holding a steaming cup of coffee.

"Slut," she hissed, her face contorted with rage. "Parading your shame with all your men."

Before I could react, she threw the hot coffee.

It hit my face, my chest. Searing pain.

I screamed, stumbling back.

Through the haze of pain, I saw a flicker of something in Ethan's eyes. Pity? Shock?

It was gone in an instant.

Tiffany gasped dramatically, "Oh my god, Sarah!" Then she grabbed Ethan's arm. "Ethan, she's crazy! Let's get out of here!"

She pulled him towards the door. His friends followed, casting amused, contemptuous glances back at me.

No one helped. I was left standing there, dripping, burning, utterly alone.