A Broken Contract (Alpha's Secret Regret)

Sara POV

People can change. All you have to do is throw them in the desired situation, and they'll become what you want them to be. At least, this is my strong belief.

I want Nickolas Reign to fall for me. I need him to want more from me. My desire for him and this belief in change are what led me to sign his damn contract. He does want me, but only for one thing. To satisfy his lust. I thought that if I gave him what he craved, he'd want more. He'll keep coming back till he can never let go.

I've been in love with Nick since I learned the meaning of the word. It's impossible to continue to meet him like this for "just sex" without letting him know how I truly feel. One thing was bound to happen this evening after we talked. His ridiculous contract would become void. And that was fine by me.

As I inhaled a lung full, I wiped my sweaty palm on my dress. Rising from the sofa, I went to the window for the millionth time to check if he was coming.

Today is not "our day," as he likes to call it. It is a Saturday. We're not supposed to meet for another three days. But when I texted, asking to see him, he agreed, saying he'd be there at 7. I like to think that's a good sign. Although it's already 7:15 PM, and there's no sign of him. Nick was never late.

My eyes roamed the living room and dining once more. This apartment has become my favorite place in four short months. It's the only place I can ever be with him. We can't be seen by any L.A. reporter or a member of the pack. It will cause an outrage. Goddess forbid that the future alpha should contaminate his father's bloodline by sleeping with a nobody.

I sighed deeply, brushing aside the troubling thought.

My eyes move to the clock again and stay there till another five minutes go by. Calling him is against his rules. But he's twenty-two minutes late now, and I wonder if that isn't a good enough reason to ring his cell phone. This whole evening is against his rules anyway.

I started to reach for my cellphone when that familiar scent of rain in the woods wafted by. He's here. The scent is followed by loud stomping of his feet as he approaches the door.

Another look through the blinds and his wavy brown, rough curls come into view before he reaches the door. I suck in a deep breath and smooth my knee-length dress, bracing myself for this unplanned meeting. The lock on the door began to disengage.

Nick lets himself inside and is suddenly standing face to face with me. I can sense his anticipation as his eyes raked my body. But underneath it, there's a heat that can only mean he doesn't appreciate being asked to come out here on a day that isn't "our day."

"Hey," I greeted softly.

His eyes made another sweep over me. The kind of look that makes me go weak at the knee. How I love those bright gray orbs, even when they shine with impatience like right now.

"Why am I here? It's not Tuesday," he asks curtly.

I feel a painful pull in my heart at the question, but I push aside the feeling quickly.

"It's a weekend, and I thought maybe we could..."

His face transforms into a look that makes me forget the words I prepared in my head. My hands shake slightly and I clutch my dress.

Something seemed to catch his eyes, and they slowly shifted to the dining a few feet away. He takes a step towards the table and asks with a frown,

"What's this?"

There's a meal for two on the table. Clearly, he knows what it was. The question is rhetorical. Or maybe he means to say what does this mean?

"It's... food," I stammer. Only now do I start to consider how much of a bad idea this is.

"I cooked for you. I wanted us to eat together," I said.

Nick looks at me like I've just grown another head.

"Are you out of your mind? You called me over because you wanted us to eat?" he scolds. "I'm not your boyfriend, Sara. You don't get to just call me!"

My anger stirs. I want to lash back and say he's right. He's more than my boyfriend. He's my mate. I want to yell that I'm done hiding. I'm tired of being his secret whore. But my lips quiver, and I lower my head instead. All I can manage are soft grumbles.

"I didn't think it was against the rules-"

"It is against the rules, Sara!" he snaps. "What we have is purely sexual. I told you this. You should read the contract. I don't pay you so we can sit and eat. Or to have you call me out of work!"

My heart twists painfully in my chest at his words. He could've just ignored the text. Why did he come down here to stomp on my heart? If he's this angry about a simple attempt to share a meal, how would he react if I told him the real reason I called him?

"It's a weekend. I thought you'd be free," I said.

"Well, I'm not. And I'm certainly not hungry. Also, our arrangement doesn't allow for anything like this." He waves a finger at the table irritatingly.

"I'm... sorry to bother you," I muttered, losing all courage to say everything I planned.

I expected him to turn around and take his leave, but he didn't. Instead, he remains where he is, watching me. When I lift my gaze to meet his, I notice the sudden shift in his mood. The evening air quickly assumes that delicious tension that I've come to know in all the four months since we began this clandestine meeting.

He approaches in slow, casual strides while taking off his jacket.

"Well, I'm already here." His voice drops seductively. "Can't let the evening go to complete waste, can we, Sara?"

I should back away from him. He owed me an apology for the cruel, unnecessary outburst only seconds ago. But I can't move. His nearness holds me in place like a spell.

He always has this power over me. Resisting him is an impossibility. It could be the mate bond. On the other hand, it's probably the raw, irresistible power that drips all around him. Every alpha of our kind carries that spellbinding essence.

As he leans close to claim my lips, I melt into him, surrendering my whole being. The kiss starts slow and soft like he's teasing me, but it quickly grows urgent and intense. His tongue caresses mine, coaxing me to give in to him fully.

Only one thought floats in my mind. How can he kiss me like this and claim it's "purely sexual?"

But even that thought vanishes when he gives the softest moan against my lips. Soon, he lifts me into his arms, wrapping my thighs around his waist as he carries me into the living room. His hands on my bare flesh is the most heavenly feeling, and I'm totally lost in his touch.

'I want this. I want more of him,' the plea echoes in my mind.

He lays me down on my back on top of the sofa and drops a light kiss on my neck. As he works to slip off my underwear, I'm doing the same with his belt buckle, too, ready for whatever he gives me. At this moment, it doesn't matter if what he offers is merely lust. Soon, his lips returned to mine in a sensual kiss as his hand started to move between my inner thighs.

That is when I whisper the words that I should never say to him. Lost in the feel of him, the three syllables finds their way between our lips in a gentle whisper.

"I love you."

He goes very still. Seconds later, he starts to pull away in a rush. Only then do I realize what has just fallen out of my mouth.

"I mean-" He glares at me to shut me up. I forgot the excuse I was about to give. Rising and turning away, he starts to fumble with his belt as he rushes out of the living room.

"Nick... please..."

I followed him, wondering what to say to undo the little mistake. But is it really a mistake? That isn't exactly the words I plan to use. I shouldn't have blurted it out like that.

He yanks his jacket from the dining chair. Without looking back, he storms out of the house. As he slams the door on his way out, it feels like an axe has just been driven into my heart.

******

The Next Tuesday

My thumb hovers on Nick's number as I continue to stare at my phone. If I click the dial button, I'll be breaking another one of his rules. Will it matter?

It's been three days since my accidental confession and there's been no word from him. Today is our meeting day, but it's doubtful that he'll show up. The idea of going over to the apartment to wait is unappealing.

I've sent him messages since Saturday evening. He ignored all of them. The fact that I didn't see him around campus all day yesterday doesn't help. Lectures are over for the day. Which means our meeting is two hours from now.

"Hey, stranger." Meg pokes my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"You've been acting weird. Are you okay? I've been screaming for you to wait up," she said.

"Oh, I didn't hear you," I replied.

"You seem in a hurry today. Running errands for your dad as usual?" she asks.

"Yes. I have to help pick up something from the supermarket," I lied.

She's my best friend and roommate. As the child of the former beta of our pack, Meg is far from being a lowlife like me. When I was bullied in high school for talking to Nick's sister, she stood up for me. It's how we became friends. She doesn't mind being seen with an omega.

Lying to her makes me feel awful, but I don't have a choice. No one can know about me and Nick unless he tells them or we become official. If Saturday is any indication, none of the two will ever happen.

Meg hooks her hand in my arm as we make our way back to the dorm together. I decided that if I don't see Nick today, I'll take it that the contract is truly void now. That we're over.

Meg is talking about professor John and some girl in our class, but I can't pay attention.

"Human girls are so lame," she mumbles. "If she knew what she was getting into, she'd run fast in the opposite direction."

I zoned her out completely as we turned the corner leading to the hostel. Jake, Nick's best friend, approaches. He's alone.

"Hey Jake," Meg beams.

"Hey girls. Done with class?" he asks.

"Yeah. Where's your alpha-to-be? Haven't seen him around campus this week."

I wanted to hug my best friend for asking the question I was so desperate for.

"Careful, don't go around calling him that, Meg," Jake warns. "Alpha Zion is still alive and well. But as you said, he's heir to the throne, so he doesn't always have to attend lectures like us mortals."

"Aww, is that so?" Meg mocks.

"We're in our finals, Meg. We're supposed to be scarce around here."

"Really? Then why aren't you scarce?" She rolls her eyes.

He scowls before saying, "Family business called Nick home. You should see him around tomorrow, if not later today."

I wonder what he means by family business. Maybe his sister is visiting from Europe.

After a round of chitchat and see-you-laters, Meg and I continue to the dorm.

Twenty minutes later, my cab arrives, and I head straight to the apartment where Nick and I meet every Tuesday.

It took 90 minutes of sitting alone in the large living room to decide that my first instinct was right. He isn't going to show up. Is it really over between us?

But then I expected it to be. The terms of the agreement are crystal. I was prepared for this when I asked to see him on Saturday.

Changing back into my jeans and checkered shirt, I hurried out of our secret meeting place with a lump in my chest. It's already dark when I reached the campus again.

Nick hasn't returned my calls or texts, but on the bright side, there would be no more sneaking around with him. He'll reject me when he's ready, and I'll get back to my quiet life. Maybe I'll reject him first.

Time to focus on my studies and work hard to keep my scholarship. After all, college is my only chance of ever making something good out of my life as a nobody. Something interrupts my sad musings as I get down from the campus shuttle.

A dark gray Jeep SUV sits on the driveway in front of my hostel. That car is uncommon here at the university, so I knew it was Nick's.

My heart leapt at the sight, but the sunken feeling in my stomach didn't go away. Is he waiting for me in the hall?

As I approached, I spotted two figures standing on the side mere inches from each other. As I tried to determine who they were, their familiar features made my heart stop.

I watch in the dimly lit walkway, watching as Nick cups Meg's face in his hand and lowers his mouth to hers. He either doesn't care about his audience or he's utterly oblivious as he pressed her smaller body to his, deepening the kiss.

I wanted to turn away and run, but I remained frozen on the spot.

The sound of laughter coming from the entrance of the building gets their attention. Nick breaks the kiss, and his gaze soon shifts to where I stand.

I felt so sick that I doubled over and threw up on the sidewalk. He started to approach Meg, but I held out my hand to stop them.

"I'm alright. I think I ate something bad. I'm okay," I called out in a shaky voice.

I could feel them watching me. Meg would guess what this situation was doing to me if I didn't get it together. She can't know about Nick and I or my feelings for him.

I straightened before turning away from the two.

"Sara," my best friend called out. "Where are you going?"

I can't face her yet. Looking at her now is unbearable, so I keep walking.

"Sara?"

"I need to get something for my stomach," I called back without turning around.

He was kissing her in public? The same Nick that has a morbid fear of merely talking to me in front of people? I'm his mate. Also, wasn't that against the rules in his stupid contract?

But then she's not an omega. Meg is far better than me. There wouldn't be much outrage if people saw them together. Whereas, I'm the daughter of the cook that works in Nick's household. My father is on his family's payroll just as I am on his.

I still can't stomach the fact that while I was waiting for him, so we could talk, he was getting cozy with my best friend. I guess this means we truly are over. I wonder what would happen if I went against his non-disclosure agreement now.

I heard footsteps behind me but didn't stop. It feels like my heart is leaving a blood trail with every step.

As I reach the next block, a strong hand grabs my arm and spun me around. Nick glowers at me beneath thick lashes.

I yanked free with all the force I could muster and kept walking. Anger and hurt gave me the strength to ignore him as he groaned my name.

"Sara!" He grabs my wrist this time.

"I'm talking to you, Sara! Stop!" His voice is hard with a sharp edge. Like he has a right to be angry?

Without thinking, I wrested my wrist from his hand and landed a hard slap across his face. Shock brightens his eyes, but he recovers quickly. Catching my wrist again, this time, in a tight grip, he pins me against the large car parked in the road.

"You violated the terms first!" he said through clenched teeth.

"By accidentally spouting those three little words?" I push him off me, and he releases me quickly, like being too close to me is disgusting.

"It was a mistake, Nick. I wanted to explain that's why I've been trying to reach you. I waited for two hours to see you."

"How could you possibly think we'd still meet today? This thing between us? I was going to end it. Tonight! There's no need to see each other till the full moon. I'll reject you, and we can go our separate ways."

My heart slumps painfully into my stomach. My first response is a nod. "You should've ended it before kissing my roommate in front of the whole campus."

"Yes, I should have, but I didn't. Wanna know why? Because you're not the only one who gets to break the rules!" he leers.

"Well, good for you. You got even. Why don't you return to your... to her before someone sees you talking with the help's daughter." I started to walk away.

"Thanks for your concern. At least, you got the message, Sara," he fired back.

I stopped in my tracks.

"I will never love you, mate bond be damned. What we had was just sex, nothing more, you hear me?"

I felt him turn away to leave, but he stopped and added, "Oh, and don't forget you signed an NDA. If you go about telling pack members about us, I can't be responsible for what happened to your dad."

I couldn't help but look over my shoulder at his face. Maybe I want to confirm if he meant that. But he's already turning and walking away.

******

I want so much to return home to my dad. But home is one of the little cottages behind Reign's mansion. I return to the dorm after walking aimlessly for Goddess-knows how long.

Meg is not back yet. My relief at not having to face her is mixed with immense nausea. She's still with Nick, no doubt.

Quickly, I went into my room to lock myself inside. But as the night wears on, it becomes clear how unnecessary that is. I lay awake with my eyes wide open until dawn. Meg never returned.

She should be back early the next morning, and I'm still eager to avoid her, so I try to rush out for class.

My simple morning routine turns into a chore. I became very sick. My stomach rolls like I truly ate something bad. I spent a better part of the morning with my head buried in the toilet plate. As I sit on the cool floor, dry-heaving, the image of Nick and Meg replays in a loop in my head.

Sometime later, the nausea lessened, but I'd given up on class for that day. I sit on my bed, staring into space when a bang comes on my door. Without waiting for a reply, Meg opens the door and stands between the jamb.

"Wait, are you truly ill?" she asked with a frown.

"I'll be alright," I replied.

"I doubt it." Her tone is weirdly hateful. There's no hint of a joke in her voice as usual.

"After daring to seduce the alpha-heir?" She took a step into my room. "I doubt you'll be alright, Sara."

My heart lurches. Did Nick go as far as telling her after warning me about his silly NDA?

She scoffs at the look on my face. "I'm not an idiot, Sara James. I've known for some time now! It's only a matter of time before the pack finds out."

At first, I was confused about what she meant. Does she know the whole story?

"Did you think you'd just keep coming to school, sneaking around while leeching on the Reigns after this treachery?" She crosses her arms on her chest.

"What are you talking about?" My anger stirs, but it is mixed with fear. They wouldn't revoke my scholarship over this. The alpha and luna don't know about us.

"Are you gonna play dumb?"

I sighed, deciding there was no point to all of this. "How long have you known?" I asked.

"Known what? That you've been lying about running errands for your dad and sneaking off to whore yourself to Reign?"

"Yes, Meg. How long have you known?" My voice is sharp with annoyance. Maybe a carryover from last night when I saw her kissing my mate. My former mate.

"Do you even know he's engaged?" she asked instead of answering my question.

I felt a sharp pang at the revelation. She caught the hurt in my eyes and smiled.

"YOU knew he was engaged, yet you went after him?" I said this in an attempt to turn her words back to her. "Now I'm guessing you went after him solely because he was involved with me."

"Involved? He paid to f*ck you, Sara. You were never involved with Nick Reign! You're a nobody. A cheap prostitute. What do you think I wouldn't find out? How someone like you could afford to share this suite with me was a dead give away."

My fist clenches. My father paid every penny for this apartment. The scholarship meant I could afford other things that I would originally not be able to pay for. But I didn't say these things to her. It doesn't matter.

She shakes her head before continuing. "But at least you're back to reality now. Nick is through with you and the luna knows."

My mind goes numb from that last statement.

"Who told you that? The luna doesn't know."

"I wanna throw up when I imagine you with him." She grimaced. The hatred in her eyes is unbelievable as she ignores my question.

"My mother always said people like you didn't know how to stay in their lanes. I see what she means now."

"Did you tell the luna about us? You said you've known for a while now." I stared at her in horror.

"What, you trust Nick not to tell his mommy? If he doesn't tell her, who's going to clean this up as quickly as possible to keep the pack from finding out?" Her eyes were full of evil satisfaction as she spoke. It's hard to believe this was my best friend of seven years.

I'm totally disheartened to say anything else. Fear is starting to take over. How would the luna clean this up to keep it from getting out? I wanted to leave the room, but my legs wouldn't move.

"By the way, you said I went after him. You're wrong. He's a playboy, Sara, and this is all the time he's got before he becomes alpha and settles down with his already-chosen luna. Did you expect him to be faithful in a sex situationship?" She gives a bitter laugh. "to someone like you for that matter."

"I don't expect anything from him, Megan. But I also didn't expect this shit from you. I thought we were friends-"

"Maybe we were. All of that ended when you set your claws on the heir to Reign's empire! Forest Moon's future leader!"

I've never seen her look so hateful, but I should've suspected this a long time ago.

Suddenly, memories of the last few weeks start to flash before me. How my best friend was always quick to remind me of my social status. Or of the fact that I'm a welfare student. I always brush it off as a joke. But now I realize she'd known about me and Nick for over a month now, at least.

"I'm so glad that I don't have to pretend anymore with you. You'll get kicked out and vanish from my eyes, and everything will go back to the way it should be!" She starts to turn away, then stops.

"He can never belong to someone like you, Sara. The fact that you thought he could is just... sickening to say the least."

I have no answer to that remark. My phone starts ringing before I can digest the hate-filled words.

I snatch it and slide the answer button without looking at the screen.

"Hi, is this Sara James?"

"Yes, who's this?" I held the phone away for a quick glance. The number is unfamiliar.

"I'm calling from Forest Moon Medical house. You need to come quickly. Your father collapsed and was brought here a moment ago."

Sebastian James is a workaholic. The best thing in his life after his daughter was his job. He's the assistant head cook in the household of Forest Moon's first family.

It's hard to believe that my father had a heart attack from working the job he loves so much. He's of sound health and has been very happy about life since I got into college. The male is as healthy as a horse. Many often called him strong and agile for an omega. How can he suddenly be lying in an emergency room, fighting for his life?

These intrusive thoughts don't prevent me from silently praying to the Goddess.

I remained in front of the ER for nearly two hours waiting. As an omega, he was brought to the general room with other patients. I'm not allowed to go in yet because he's in intensive care.

Another hour passed before the doctor called me.

"He's out of danger now," she said in a gentle voice. "But we'll have to watch him for another night before letting him leave."

I nodded. "Thanks, doctor, but I'm so confused. My dad's the healthiest person I know. What happened?"

"Even the strongest in the pack is not immune to life's unexpected twists," she replied.

These words are a reference to alpha Zion Reign, Nick's father. The formidable, proud male hasn't been the same after the helicopter accident five months ago.

"They said he suddenly collapsed after seeing the luna," the doctor added.

My heart slammed in my chest. Meg's words about Nick telling his mother echoed in my head.

"Whatever she told him must've been tough on his healthy heart," said the doctor. "But he's gonna be okay. You can see him now. He's asking of you."

There's only one thing the luna could've said to my dad. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat.

I opened the door quietly and went into the room. My father laid awake on the bed with wires connecting his heart to a small monitor that beeped softly. His features are sad as he regards me.

"Dad," I murmured, scanning the room half full of sick people.

Only a thin curtain separates each patient from their neighbor. A nurse sits at a small desk in the far corner of the large room.

My dad points at his jacket on a thin hanger near the bed.

"The doctor says you can't leave yet. You had a heart attack," I protested.

"Get my phone and turn it on," he orders in a hoarse voice.

"Why? You wanna call someone?" I asked, reaching for the slim, wide-screen cellphone in his jacket pocket.

It's easy to guess what he's about to show me, so I took the initiative and launched his email before he said the words.

"Open my email."

There are no unread messages. But the first two indicated the reason my dad's heart nearly gave out. The second message title read "Dissolution of Employment Contract." But it's the first one that holds my interest more, so I clicked on it.

It's a non-disclosure agreement. Another document that prevents my father from seeking help, either from humans or our kind. It's similar to what I signed before spreading my legs for the alpha's son. I feel disgusted with myself.

All of this is because of me. When I checked the first email, I saw that my father was being let go with nothing. We're also being kicked out of the pack like Meg predicted.

Alpha Zion hardly bothered about these things. This was the handiwork of his luna, Nick's mother. But how did she know? I've never whispered a word about us to anyone. Meg implied that Nick would tell her. Did he really do it?

I stared at the text with glassy eyes, mortified and unable to say anything. The email came with attachments. I open them to find photos of Nick and I, kissing in the living room of our secret meeting place. It's a very recent photograph from the day I made that blunder. How is it possible?

"Guess the photos mean it's true," my father interrupted my thoughts. "So there's no need to ask. Or would you deny it?"

"Dad, I-"

"You're sorry, I know you are. What's done is done." He exhaled deeply. "I don't want any trouble with the luna and the pack, Sara. We must leave ASAP and quietly. You need to go home and start packing."

He's right. I've ruined our lives here. It's not far-fetched to think that the luna would pull some strings to revoke my scholarship, too. Like Meg predicted. The Reigns are a powerful name, not just among werewolves.

As my dad shuts his eyes, I know he's done talking. I can't decide which pain is worse. This immense disappointment that my dad feels right now or the pain of seeing my mate in another woman's arms. I don't know which one is breaking my heart at this moment.

I want to sit beside him, but I'm too ashamed to be around him. I simply put the phone back and leave the room quietly to wait outside. Packing has to come later. I don't want to be anywhere near Reign's mansion right now.

******

After our little chat, I'd occasionally poke my head inside to look in on my dad, but I didn't go near him. It was sunset when I set out to do what he instructed.

Our cottage is fifteen minutes from the hospital. As soon as the castle comes into view, the first thing I see is a medium-sized truck beside the luna's hummer SUV.

The only reason I noticed was that I've never seen such a vehicle around the premises before. It looks so out of place among the fancy ones parked beside it. Its trunk was open, and someone was loading some stuff into it. I wonder if anyone else is moving out. One of the luggage looks similar to my dad's. It even had the same color.

I walked awkwardly and hesitantly around the building towards the blocks of cottages where we live. Someone has their eyes on me. From the prickling on my neck, I know it's not a maid or a guard. I didn't dare lift my head to check who was watching me.

Punching the lock code to get into the house, the lock refuses to give. I lower my gaze to take a close look, only to discover that my guess is right. They've changed the locks.

Already?

Footsteps approach from behind. I spun around to find a female guard and another omega coming towards me. The luna stands a few steps away. She doesn't say a word, but her eyes are full of malice.

"You and your father don't live here anymore," the guard said.

"What do you mean we don't-"

"Are you hard of hearing? This isn't your house anymore. We've moved your things on the luna's orders. You'll find them in the white van outside."

"What?" The question was a gasp.

"Luna Reign, please don't do this." I started to go to her with my hands clasped when the guard blocked me.

I saw her jaw tighten as she glared at me. It feels like she's silently telling me not to dare address her boss. The guard voices out those thoughts before I can properly form them.

"Don't you dare address the luna, omega!"

I attempt to move closer to her once more as I plead.

"Please. We need time to find a new place. I beg you. My father was in the ER, he'll need a few days to recover once he's discharged."

"Did you say you needed time?" The guard asked with disgust. "The only reason she helped with the van is to keep it as quiet as possible. You think she'll allow you to stay longer than... no need to waste my breath. You need to leave!"

She stood between me and Nick's mother as the luna shot daggers at me with her eyes. I truly wish she'd speak out. But apparently, I'm not even worth one word from her.

I try to get past the gamma female, and she pushes me off. I was on the ground on all fours looking up at the luna with pleading eyes. She gave me one last evil look before turning away.

"This is the last time you're allowed anywhere near the pack's mansion. We find you or your father near here again, you'll be arrested and disgraced," the guard said. "Here's the key to the truck. Denise will go with you to retrieve it once you get your things out. You have the whole evening to return the vehicle to her. She must bring that van back before midnight!"

The guard dropped the key on the floor in front of me and turned away to follow her luna.

I couldn't believe what I'd gotten us into. My father and I are practically homeless now.

******

As much as I hate to do it, I had to call my dad. I didn't know what else to do. The Denise girl is as confused as me. She's too scared to even ask what we did wrong.

Everyone is terrified of the luna. I wouldn't be surprised if the girl had been warned not to speak to me. Luna Reign wouldn't want word of her precious son sleeping with an omega to get out.

After listening to my dad's instructions on where to take our things, I set out for a forty-five-minute drive into the city. Within four hours, at nightfall, I handed the truck back to the omega and returned to the hospital.

I made the nurse tell my dad that I was back. Going in to see him is hard for now. I've cost him his precious job and our lives.

I sat on the hospital bench for hours thinking till I dozed off.

At dawn, nausea rouses me from a deep sleep with bad dreams. The feeling is much like yesterday morning's, making me occupy the nearest restroom for some time.

Is it really possible to suffer food poisoning when I've eaten so little this whole week?

Thank the Goddess, I'm in the hospital. I stroll into the pharmacy to buy some drugs, but they insist on a signed prescription.

However, after describing my illness to the kind doctor, her next question sent a terrible cold into my blood.

"When's the last time you had your period?"

I couldn't respond immediately. My voice returns when she arched her brow.

"What's that got to do with... nausea?" But I knew it was the stupidest question even as I asked it. Why didn't it cross my mind?

Be cool, Sara. You are NOT pregnant. I didn't hear the doctor's reply to my dumb question.

"I'll prescribe something mild just in case, but you'll also get a test kit," she said while scribbling on a piece of paper. "Pee on the stick before taking the meds, Miss James."

Twenty minutes later, I'm standing in the bathroom, staring in horror at the two red lines on the pregnancy stick before me.

"This can't be right. He was careful- We. We were extremely careful."

A knock comes on the bathroom door, startling me.

"You okay in there? You've been there for a while now." It must be the cleaning staff.

"Yeah..." I couldn't recognize my voice. "I'll be out soon."

I wonder how hard it would be to kill myself and end it all right now.

My thoughts are interrupted by a beep on my phone. It must be my dad. I quickly pulled it out of my purse and my heart dropped further into my stomach. Nick's name blinks on my message icon. My finger shook as I opened the text.

It reads: "Where are you? We need to talk!"