Chapter 15
Five Months Later…
Faye stared at the plastic stick, not sure how she felt about the plus sign. Pregnant. She was pregnant with Zantar’s child!
A flush of happiness almost overwhelmed her, and she sat back, staring at the computer. She’d bought the pregnancy test this morning, but it had taken her a few more hours to work up the courage to get an answer. During that time, she’d flipped between hope that she was pregnant to despair at not seeing Zantar, not sharing this news with him.
She was doing okay, she thought. She’d made it across the border into Citran and she was safe from Scott and his nasty threats. For now. Faye didn’t fool herself into believing that he would disappear from her life. But for now, she needed to stop jumping at shadows and staring out the window at night, waiting for Scott, or some other boogey man, to break into her tiny apartment.
She had to keep reminding herself that she was more prepared now. She had more money saved up, and several new cell phones still in their packages that she just needed to activate if she felt as if she might be caught by Scott or someone who worked for him. She kept those “safe” and kept her bags packed at all times. Plus, she had a job. A job that paid better than housekeeping in a hotel. She’d finally found a job as a schoolteacher in a rural community. Teaching English was fun, she realized. In addition to her school position, she also tutored several students in art, showing them some skills to improve their painting efforts. She also offered babysitting services on the weekends.
Never again would she find herself in a vulnerable position! Scott had threatened her with lies and she hoped he burned in hell for what he’d done to her. But soon, very soon, she’d figure out a way to stop him from spreading those lies about her. In the meantime, she…her eyes dropped to the plastic strip. Smiling, she laid a hand over her stomach. A baby! She was going to have a baby! A little boy or girl that would look just like Zantar! Would they have a predisposition to his arrogant swagger? Faye certainly hoped so! Oh, how she would love to see that! She thought about Zantar and wondered what he was doing, wishing that she could talk to him, tell him about their child. She wanted so much for their child to grow up strong and healthy.
She’d also figure out some way to let Zantar know about their child. She’d have to find him first. Glancing at the laptop, she relaxed her shoulders. She was very good at research. She’d eventually figure out where he lived.
But right now, she had to finish her dissertation. She had to submit her research before her baby was born. That was the first step. The most important step!
She’d figure out the rest later.