I swallowed down a sob, and closed my eyes. I held my belly tighter and whispered, “I’m going to take care of you no matter what. Everything will be okay.”
Just then I heard footsteps against the wood floor of the bedroom. I held my breath.
“Sadie?” called Jeremiah.
I hated how good it felt to hear my name on his lips. I shook my head from where I sat on the carpet. Even if I wanted to speak, I didn’t think I could with the lump in my throat. So I stayed quiet, letting the tears slide down my cheeks. I didn’t want to see him,especially not like this. I had hoped to leave without seeing him. To avoid this goodbye.
I watched through blurry, watery eyes as his silhouette filled the doorway to the closet. I choked back a sob. I had to be strong.
“Sadie?” he asked.
I swiped at the tears on my cheeks and looked up at him. His eyes looked from me to the suitcase beside me, filling with concern.
“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I swallowed hard and lifted my chin, even though he still towered above me. “I’m leaving,” I said as firmly as I could.
“What are you talking about?” he asked, stepping forward. “Where are you going?”
I reached for the suitcase, slamming it shut. “Anywhere but here.” I ran the zipper along the side, closing it.
“What? Why?” he asked.
I shook my head and scoffed. Did he think I was some sort of idiot? This was insulting. I narrowed my gaze. The obliviousness in his blue eyes made the sadness I felt pool in to anger.
“I watched the interview, Jeremiah,” I said pointedly.
“Yeah? I think it went well. Aside from the interviewer trying to pry…” He rolled his eyes. “My lawyer is already on top of that.”
“Of course he is,” I muttered.
“What’sthatsupposed to mean?” He crossed his arms.
I guessed I would have to spell it out for him. I stood from the carpet, trying to be more on his level, even though he still had over a good foot on me.
“It means you are so terrified of whatmighthappen if word gets out about us, that you don’t care who you hurt. Even if that person is me. Even if it’s the baby.”
He ran his hand through his hair frustratedly and blew out a breath. “I thought we were on the same page. I thought you understood.”
“I thought I did, too,” I said, throwing my hands up. “But hearing you say you were single on national TV when you have a pregnant—” I paused. I didn’t know what I was. I didn’t know how to finish that sentence.
“It just made me realize that I can’t be your dirty little secret anymore.”
“That’s not what you are,” he said softly as he reached for me. As much as I wanted to feel his embrace, I jerked away. He lookedlike I had slapped him in the face. I had to look away from the hurt in his eyes before it made me falter.
“It is what I am. And I refuse to let our baby be, too,” I said.
“Don’t do this,” he said pleadingly.
“How many times have we been here?” I asked exasperatedly. “How many chances have I given you to get your head out of your ass? Yet, you insist on keeping it wedged up there.”
I blew out a shaky breath before delivering my next words.
“I’m done,” I said. I grabbed the handle of the suitcase, pulling it upward with a loud click. I pushed past him through the door of the closet and into the beautiful bedroom he had designed for me. Its beauty was tainted now. I could barely look at it.
“Sadie. Please.” Jeremiah followed me from the closet.
I stopped and whipped around. “Don’t.” I held up my hand.
