All my brother has ever wanted is to give me the best in life. He’s been taking care of me since I was little. He’s the best big brother I could ask for.
There is no way that I can believe he was the one so terribly in the wrong in the fight between Artur and himself.
There must be another explanation.
If only I could reach him and talk to him, I could clear the air and find out the truth.
“Hey, you,” Joe’s voice is gentle and quiet.
“Hi,” I say softly, turning to glance at him.
“How are you doing?” he asks, sitting next to me on the outdoor sofas.
“I’m okay. I’m…confused,” I sigh.
“I think that’s completely normal. The important thing is that you understand we’re all here for you, if you want to talk.”
I bite my lower lip and watch the waves.
These four men are each kind and generous in their own ways. Beneath their rough, stern, flirtatious, or rigid exteriors, each of them has a beautiful heart. They are good people. So while I am still unable to believe that Misha is the bad person here, I also can’t believe that any of them are, either. There has to be some kind of middle ground that makes sense.
“Maria?” Joe says, stroking his hand down the back of my neck.
“Mm?” I murmur.
He smiles tightly. “Can I get you something? Some tea? Coffee?”
I shake my head, “Not right now, thank you. I’m not really hungry,” I reply.
He threads his fingers up into my hair, sending a current of electricity down my spine. “If you need anything, just ask, okay?”
I nod, “I will. I promise,” I smile, grateful for his reassurance and support.
He sighs, frustrated, wanting to do more for me, but he can see that I need space now.
He leaves, and I’m alone again.
My stomach cramps and I groan, clutching my hand over it. Whatever tummy bug I got while we were away hasn’t completely healed yet. I’m still struggling with it, and I’ve barely been eating. This morning, I was throwing up again, eventhough I’ve hidden it from the guys. I can’t deal with more stress on top of the stress already swirling through my mind.
Maybe I should get one of them to take me to the pharmacy, though. I don’t like taking medicine, but…
My brain sparks.
Hang on.
When last did you have your period?
No….
It can’t be that? Surely not?
I only had sex once before it started. Yes, but you had sex with four different men….
My head begins to spin with anxiety and panic.
I can’t be pregnant. It would be such bad timing.But you already know it’s true. You know you are. There’s nothing else it could be, and all the symptoms fit.
“Hi, baby bird,” Ben’s voice makes me turn around.
