I turn around to face them, my face devoid of emotion. I honestly don’t care for their reasons anymore; you can only lie and treat someone like that for so long before they have had enough. Before they find the end of their rope and snap.
“Stay out of my head, Theo. I heard your excuse, it doesn’t change anything. Now, unlock the door,” I say, reaching out, I grab a towel and wrap it around myself. Theo tries to grab my hand, but I pull back. “Don’t touch me, your excuses don’t change anything, not anymore.” My voice is level which even I’m impressed by the lack of emotion behind my words.
Theo doesn’t listen though, still trying to reach for me even after I walk towards the door, where Tobias is leaning on the door frame.
“You can’t ignore us forever, you know this, Imogen. You can’t ignore a mate bond, we tried already; it will be no different for you,” Tobias says, his face moving to mine as he blocks my exit. His breath fans my face and his lips are so close, it nearly makes me forget everything. His close proximity and the heat radiating off his body overwhelm me. I shake my head, trying to shake off the feeling. I hear him chuckle slightly knowing he is winning and that only angers me.
“Move, Tobias, now,” I say, putting my hand on his chest, trying to get him away. I ignore the sparks that are moving up my arm, threatening to take over all my rational thoughts. He steps to the side, letting me pass. I grab my purse and clothes before walking towards the door.
“Where do you think you’re going, Imogen?”
“Away from you, I’m sleeping in the guest room,” I say, throwing the door open and walking out.
I quickly get changed before climbing in the bed. I’m exhausted but the bed feels cold and lonely without them and way too big. I’m so used to Tobias’ warmth, that I didn’t realize I would actually miss it, miss the feeling of our legs getting tangled and the weight of their arms draped over me. I wiggle around a lot, but I’m not giving in. That’s what they want and after a few hours of rolling around trying to get comfortable, I finally manage to get some sleep.
I’m awoken after what feels like only a couple hours by the cold hands running down my arms, making me shiver, before I feel his cool lips on my cheek. I open my eyes to find Theo, staring down at me while sitting next to me on the bed. I roll over, trying to go back to sleep.
“You can’t be mad at us forever, hun, so I don’t know why you’re even trying.”
I ignore him and close my eyes.
“We have to go to work,” he says. I can tell he is hoping I want to go with them.
“Then go,” I say, not even trying to hide the anger I feel towards them. I hear him sigh and the bed moves as he gets up. A few minutes later, I hear the front door open, and the sound of Theo’s car being backed out of the garage before speeding along the dirt road. Sitting up, I wander downstairs and turn the kettle on, needing my caffeine fix.
I have just finished making my coffee when I remember the test in my bag; my heart skips a beat. Quickly chugging the coffee, I run upstairs to retrieve my bag. I sit it on the island counter, reading over the instructions. Seems simple enough, I just have to pee on the stick and wait. When it comes time to do it, though, I suddenly feel nervous. I pick the box up and stare at it before putting it down again. It’s just a test, Imogen, doesn’t mean it will be positive; you’re late because of stress. I keep telling myself even though I have this nagging feeling I’m lying to myself. Glaring at the box, I snatch it up, removing the stick from the wrapper I walk into the bathroom. I quickly pee then wash my hands, leaving the pregnancy test on a hand towel.
I walk out and finish my coffee. My heart is hammering in my chest during the three-minute wait. I keep looking at the clock and back towards the bathroom. Please be negative, please be negative. This will be a disaster if I’m pregnant, I only have two more days of living left.
When the time comes, I walk over and pick up the test and nearly faint. I feel bile rise up in my throat and run for the toilet before being violently sick. My hands become clammy and sweat runs down my neck. I can’t stop the tears from coming as sobs rack my body. I don’t know what to do, as I look down at the test window which has two lines confirming, I am indeed pregnant. And if the estimation is correct, I’m five weeks along.
I suddenly hear the front door open, Caroline’s singsong voice coming to me. “Imogen?” She calls. I quickly grab everything, dumping it back in the box and throwing it in the trash just as she comes around the corner. I walk out of the bathroom.
“You okay dear? You look a little pale,” she asks, looking at me. I nod, not trusting my voice.
“Tea?” I ask nervously. She nods and I see her eyes dart behind me. Before she looks up at me questionably. I try to close the door when she stops me.
“What’s that?” She says, pointing to the sink. I’m positive, I threw everything out in my haste. She walks past me and picks up the pregnancy test that is resting on the counter. I was so busy trying to get rid of the box, I forgot about the test.
She picks it up and I hold my breath. “You’re pregnant.” She gasps, looking at me.
Her hands are slightly shaking as she examines the test. I don’t know what to say. She has the proof she needed in her hand, I can’t exactly deny it now.
Her next words shock me and make my blood run cold. “You can’t tell them, Imogen.” She says, her voice sounds sad as she grabs the trash can and starts walking out, dumping the test in. “I will get rid of this,” she says and for a second, I think she means the baby.
“What do you mean?” I ask, suddenly feeling scared.
“They won’t care that you’re pregnant, Imogen. They won’t risk losing you.”
“You’re not making sense, Caroline. I can’t hide it from them,” I tell her.
“Imogen, you have two days before they change you, this won’t stop them,” she says, coming to a stop and turning around to face me.
I let her words sink in. “They would still change me even if I’m pregnant with their child?” I ask.
She nods her head. I never wanted to get pregnant, but I also don’t want to kill an innocent baby. “You need to run; we need to get you out of here. I have lost enough to this life, so have you. I won’t lose a chance at having a grandchild,” she says, her voice thick with emotion.