“I can’t remember,” the second one says.“Maybe Hari?Or Haddath?It was something like that.”
“Hadassah,” the third chimes in.“I remember, because she told us that it means myrtle tree in Hebrew.”
“Right,” the second one muses.“And how far along was Hadassah when we met her?”
All of the women pause for a moment, as if in thought.
“Second trimester,” the first one says.“At least.”
“So do you think he’s having two children with two women simultaneously?”one of the ladies asks.“Or has Hadassah’s baby been born already?”
“I don’t know,” the third answers in a skeptical tone.“So many questions with no answers.Seriously, Nick Bannister is a player, and it looks like he’s getting away with murder.”
“Unless she knows,” the third adds.“But who knows who knows what, and what exactly they’ve agreed on?This is a crazy situation, and it’s not for us to get involved.But yeah, Nick Bannister is more than a player.He’s a fucking asshole.”
Then, with that, the women finish their primping and teeter towards the exit in their high heels.The door swings shut in their wake, even as I sit on the sofa immobilized.Who is Hadassah?It seems that Nick has a type, and I’ll bet that Hadassah is exactly his type with sloe-eyes, a curvy figure, and dark hair.Even crazier, it sounds like she was, or is, pregnant with his child!At the same time as me?!?!What the hell?
My breathing is labored and my head goes light.I can’t believe this is happening.I thought that I was developing a relationship with the billionaire.I thought we were getting to know each other, bit by bit, day by day.But it seems that Nick’s neglected to tell me something huge, and that’s that there’s another woman pregnant with his baby right now.Either that, or she’s already had his baby, and these women are surprised to see me because I’m obviouslynotHadassah.
Oh my god, oh my god, what do I do?My pulse is racing and my vision goes black for a moment.My fingers clutch the sofa’s arm but the strength has already drained out of my form, and I’m in big trouble.My consciousness begins to fade, and my mind rings with only one thought:Please, God.I don’t care what happens to me but please please please spare my baby from any harm.
10
Ella
Sixteen months later.
I gaze fondly at my son as he wobbles in the living room.Marty’s dressed in a red and green onesie with a Santa hat on his bald head.He can’t quite walk yet, but he’s upright with one hand on the ledge next to the fireplace.
“Mama,” he babbles while shooting me a toothy grin.“Mama, Mama.”
“Yes, I see you, sweet boy,” I coo.“Are you ready for your first Christmas?Are you excited for Santa to come tonight?”
Of course, Marty has no idea who Santa is because he’s still a baby, but I’ve gone all out with the tree, presents, and holiday decor.There are garlands on the stone fireplace, as well as two stockings hanging from the mantel, one spelling “Marty” and the other “Mama.”The cottage gleams bright and cozy, and I let out a sigh of happiness because my life was rocky for a while.
I don’t have too many memories of what happened after passing out in the women’s lounge.What I do know is that I was heartbroken, overwrought, and suffered heart palpitations.Someone found me slumped on the floor, and 9-1-1 was called on the spot.Paramedics whisked me to the hospital, and when I woke, Nick was at my side, a tortured expression on his handsome features.
“Ella,” he murmured, taking my hand in his own.“I was so worried.”
I struggled to sit upright, but even that movement made my head spin and I lay back down again, dizzy and out of breath.
“You’re expecting another child,” I croaked, my heart feeling as if it might explode from my chest.
Nick’s expression was downcast, and he couldn’t meet my eyes.
“Yes,” he replied.“My son will be born any day now.”
I stared at him, my gaze accusatory.
“How could you not tell me?”I whispered, my heart burning with hurt and shame.
Nick shook his head, defeated and embarrassed.
“I know I should have, but things were going so well between us.I was working up to it, I swear, Ella.We were just getting to get to know each other on a deeper basis.You have to remember that we only reconnected recently, when you moved to New York.I wanted to tell you?—”
“But you didn’t,” I interrupted in a scratchy voice.“Everyone else at the party knew that you have another babymama, and I was left looking like an utter fool, pregnant and round and fucking clueless!What was her name?Hadassah?”
Nick’s expression falls again as I yank my hand away from his, as if he’s contaminated.
