Chapter 4: Buying a Pregnancy Test
“In peace? You must be out of your mind! Is it because I haven’t satisfied you these past few days, and now you’re feeling lonely? You’re putting on this dramatic show just to get me to love you more, aren’t you?”
“Fine, I’ll do as you wish. Don’t complain if you can’t get out of bed tomorrow.” He began tugging at my clothes, his kisses burning my skin. I struggled, but he pinned me down, reaching for my pants. Panic surged as I sensed his intention to rape me. I managed to free one hand, slapping him hard across the face. Stunned, he recoiled as I shoved him away and wrapped myself in the covers, curling into a corner. Fury burned in my eyes. “Forcing sex on me is rape, even in marriage. If you do it again, I’ll file a lawsuit! If you don’t want your reputation ruined, sign the divorce papers now!”
Jeremiah’s eyes locked on mine, a ferocious glint hinting at a wolf ready to devour its prey. He laughed bitterly. “Fine. You said it yourself. Don’t regret this!” He stormed off, barely dressed, slamming the door behind him. I huddled in the corner, trembling uncontrollably. The memory of his kisses churned my stomach; a wave of nausea washed over me. My face paled as I covered my mouth and rushed to the bathroom, retching violently over the toilet. Nothing came up.
Sara Wallace, the housekeeper, heard the commotion. She rushed in, finding me gagging. Sighing, she offered a glass of water, lamenting our fight. “Mrs. Cornell,” she asked, “are you pregnant?”
I froze, startled. I recalled discovering I was just over two weeks pregnant shortly after my birthday in my past life, though the child didn’t survive. Now, considering the timeline, the child shouldn’t exist yet, but panic seized me. What if I was pregnant? I dismissed Sara’s concern, blaming an upset stomach, but I couldn’t sleep. The next day, I bought a pregnancy test. After an agonizing wait, a single line appeared. Relief flooded me. Thank goodness I wasn’t pregnant; things would be far more complicated. This wouldn't work. I had to finalize the divorce as quickly as possible. This child wasn’t meant to be, and that was a good thing. Bringing a child into this marriage would bring only misery; I didn’t want to give birth to Jeremiah’s child.
Lost in thought, the door opened. Elsa entered, her eyes falling on the pregnancy test in my hand. Snapping out of my daze, I tossed it in the trash and washed my hands. Elsa eyed me in surprise. “Jane, are you pregnant? Does Jeremiah know?”
I hid my emotions, giving a vague response. “It’s too early to say. There’s no rush telling him.” Her expression shifted subtly, but I noticed. I sent Sara for juice, then settled in the living room with Elsa. The thought of that manipulative, disgusting woman hiding behind her frail facade made my skin crawl.
Elsa spoke first, her words dripping with fake sweetness. “Jane, you should tell Jeremiah about the baby soon. It’s not something you can delay. He’s mentioned he’s young and doesn’t want kids yet. Since you’re still in the early stages, you two can discuss whether to keep it. It’ll be harder to decide later. If you both can’t decide, the child is bound to suffer.”