Nora’s POV
Kate just left, saying she was going to see her dad, who had just come into town. She asked if I’d like to join her, but I insisted on another time. My mind was too preoccupied with the future-my future, and the baby’s. If I’m going to keep this baby, I need to figure out how to take care of us. That means finding a job, no matter how simple it is.
Maybe I’ve been delusional all along, chasing sophisticated jobs that were never within my reach. It’s time to be practical-restaurants, caregiving, something that doesn’t require fancy qualifications. I’m sure I’ll stand a better chance there.
I turned on my phone, which had been off for a while, and started searching. I spotted a restaurant not too far from where Kate and I live with a vacancy. Without wasting time, I got dressed and decided to check it out.
Ray’s POV
My phone rang, and I picked it up. “Sir, the number you’ve been trying to reach has finally come up. Would you like us to trace the location?”
“Do that immediately and send me the address.”
Seconds later, the address pinged on my phone. Without hesitation, I stormed out of the cafe, where Luke was standing just outside, waiting for me.
“We’re leaving. Take me to the address I’ll forward to you.”
We arrived in less than ten minutes, and just as the car was about to come to a stop, I saw Nora walking into the restaurant. I didn’t even wait for the car to stop fully before I jumped out.
“Nora!” I called out.
The moment she saw me, her eyes widened in shock, it was as if she’d just seen a ghost. She was already in conversation with the receptionist.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice laced with anger.
“We need to talk.” I said, trying to sound calm.
“There’s nothing for us to talk about.” She replied, her expression unyeilding.
I reached out to hold her hands, trying to get her to look at me. “You can’t get rid of the child.” I said l, my voice filled with concern.
“And who are you to tell me what I can or can’t do with my child?” She snapped, pulling her hands away.
“I know you’re upset, but I can’t let you do this.”
“You lost the right to have an opinion in my life a long time ago. Now, get out before you ruin my chance of getting this job.”
“You mean you want to work in this shabby place while carrying my child? If it’s money you need, I’ll pay you-name the amount, and-”
Before I could finish the sentence, her hand flew across my face, delivering a stinging slap.
The entire restaurant fell silent, all eyes now glued to us.
“Not everything is about money,” she hissed. “And if you think I still have the child, you’re mistaken. I already got rid of it. I can’t even imagine myself having a child for a jerk like you. So, get out and never come back into my life.”
“You’re lying.”
“Lying? You must think you’re so important that I’d lie to you. Believe it or not, I got rid of the pregnancy.”
She turned on her heels and stormed out of the restaurant.
For a moment, I was frozen in place, disbelief paralyzing me. But then, I snapped out of it and ran after her, catching up just as she reached the sidewalk. I grabbed her arm and pulled her towards me.
“I was at the hospital where you were admitted. They told me you didn’t go through with the abortion.”
“Well, I didn’t like the doctor, so I went to another hospital to get it done. There’s your answer. Now let go of my hand.”
All my years of running businesses have taught me one thing: never take an angry woman’s word at face value. Emotions can cloud judgment, and I’ve learned to be practical in such situations. So, if Nora insists she’s telling the truth, she shouldn’t have any issue coming with me to the hospital to verify it.
“If you really went through with it, then you won’t mind coming with me to the hospital to find out for myself.” I said to her my voice stern without any trace of uncertainty.
“You can’t force me to do what I don’t want,” she barked, her voice filled with frustration.
“I’m not forcing you,” I said calmly. “I just don’t believe you, and I want to see for myself. If you’re telling the truth, that shouldn’t be an issue.”
“I’m busy right now and don’t have time to prove anything to you.”
“If you don’t come with me now, I’ll keep disturbing you until you do. So, if you really want me out of your life, as you claimed earlier, it would be best for you to just come along and settle this once and for all.”
She stood there, her expression shifting as if she were actually considering what I was saying. For a brief moment, I could see a flash of worry cross her face. Maybe I was overthinking it, but something told me she wasn’t as certain as she wanted me to believe.
“Fine, I’ll come along with you,” she finally conceded.
“See, that wasn’t so hard. Since you don’t like the doctor at the previous hospital, we can go to another one.”
“No, it’s fine,” she snapped. “We can just go to that one. I’m already familiar with them.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, surprised that she still wanted to go back to the same place.
“Yes. And stop asking me silly questions. I have other things to do.”
“Okay, this way,” I said, pointing to where my car was parked.
We walked to the car, and I opened the passenger door for her before going around to the other side to sit beside her.
“Take us to the hospital we were at earlier, Luke,” I instructed.
“Yes, sir,” he replied before the car zoomed off.
As we drove, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than she was letting on. One way or another, I was going to get to the bottom of this.