ur la

stools scattered from their usual spots, a handbag lay abandoned

tting room was ic

rimming in her eyes. Her hands were clenched into f

e selfish women!" Stan George's furious voice thundered through the

ght. His chest rose and fell rapidly, each

hard to understand?!" He roared,

r before he spun toward Vera, h

est birth control!" His voice was raw with frustration. "I

oward her belly, his raging

anger pressing against her, scorching her skin. The fury in his gaze wrap

f he h

one to help her if

spered, her voice ba

t reach him. His fu

ive," she added, her voi

e-chilling chuckle

nk you're fooli

control. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, hi

ll not have this child! Never!" he declared, his voice raw with anger. Then, wit

. I'll be waiting." His order cut

elief. He actually wanted

ou don't

his voice shaking the room

fli

added, his tone final, le

r body going rigid. "You.

remor through her, her legs moving b

ade her way to the restroom. But when she tried to close

voice was like ice. "I won't

orror. He was going to s

y," she whispered,

locking onto hers. "Privacy? What

roat w

day." He stepped inside an

she took the test. Seconds felt like hours as they wa

ati

eyes, but she quic

t a word, he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out two more

s voice was col

d come prepared. He thou

at, she repeated the test. The

nching. "You're lucky," he spat b

to the door, yanking it open so forceful

eavesdropping froze in place, their faces pale with shock. They

us gaze swep

f with fear. Their eyes widened in panic as they faced S

tammered, forci

mpty. Without a word, he

snapped out of their shock an

sobbed uncontrollably. Her face was flushed, he

he knelt beside her, pul

spat, his voice thick with

ed to comfort her,

then fine!" Olivia snapped, he

a realized they had heard everything, e

he sobbed. "He told m

relationship began, everything had seemed perfect. He was wealthy. His lifestyle was

isted she use birth control, making sure there was no chance of an accidental pregnancy

possibility of pregnancy. She had expected concern, maybe even

eturned home only to find Stan waiti

ment they stepped in, his anger exploded. His words were s

reaction was just too much

se," Vera whispered, q

ged stunned looks. Was

, their kind and loyal friend, wasn't going to

up with him?" Olivia asked,

hesitated be

boiled over, and sh

d again, her voice steadier now, as if sh

. "Even after he said he didn't want the b

dn't want a child, it meant he expec

lf. "It's not his fault. It's my fault," she

other look, an unspoken under

sitive?" Olivia

e fresh tears spilling dow

again, they swallowed