Chapter 2: Something About the Pregnancy
Part 2 ⬇️
We both froze.
James's hand was still on the door knob.
Emma was still trembling against my chest.
I turned slowly.
"What did you just say?"
Dad pushed back from the table and stood up.
His face was pale.
He looked older than I had ever seen him look.
"Sit down, Claire."
"No." My voice came out steadier than I felt.
"Say what you need to say right here."
Lauren's smirk had disappeared.
She was staring at Dad with something I hadn't seen on her face all evening.
Fear.
"Dad." Her voice was sharp.
"Don't."
He didn't look at her.
He kept his eyes on me.
"Six months ago," he said quietly, "before Emma was born — Lauren came to me.
She told me something." He paused.
"Something about the pregnancy."
The room felt like it had stopped breathing.
"What about the pregnancy?" James asked.
His voice was low and controlled, but I felt his hand tighten on my coat.
Dad opened his mouth.
Lauren crossed the room in three steps and grabbed his arm.
"That is enough."
Dad looked down at her hand.
Then back at me.
"She made me promise to stay quiet," he said.
"I should have told you the moment you walked through that door tonight."
My stomach dropped.
"Dad.
What did Lauren tell you about Emma?"
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What Lauren told their father changes everything.
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Claire has no idea what's been hidden from her since before Emma was born.
Click the link below to read the full story — the truth is worse than anyone at that table expected.
