Chapter 6

"This here is your room, Thalia," Alexander said as we walked into a room with a luxurious white canopy bed with emerald green silk sheets, fresh white roses on the nightstands, and more basically everywhere in the room, giving it a romantic atmosphere.

"My room? We have separate rooms?" I asked, turning to face him surprised.

"Well, I didn't think you were looking forward to sharing a room with me," he replied with a smirk.

I groaned, lightly smacking his chest.

"Get over yourself," I said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

"I could get over you instead." He said.

I didn't reply to that. I didn't trust myself to say anything clever. Instead, I reached over to the vanity and took a deep breath.

"Listen, I know you want some answers about why I rushed the wedding but..."

"Actually, no I don't," Alexander interrupted and came to stand behind me, our eyes met in the mirror.

"It's been a long day, Thalia. You need to rest. Whatever it is you want to say can wait," he said calmly.

"Thank you," I whispered just as my stomach let out a loud, horrifying growl. My cheeks flushed pink, but Alexander only chuckled and headed for the door.

"I'll get you something to eat freshen up, there are clothes in the closet." I smiled warmly at him, watching him close the door behind him.

Meanwhile, I undressed and made my way to the bathroom, then I slipped into the tub and took a much-needed soak that did little to calm the wild thoughts in my mind but did an excellent job with my joints. After my bath, I threw on a robe and returned to the bedroom. There was a tray with covered food on the ottoman by the bed. I hurried over to the food, then I noticed there was a note beside it.

"Eat, I'll check on you in a few hours, something came up." I felt a pang of sadness, but I ignored it and set the note on my vanity, then returned to the food eagerly to feel something other than butterflies in my stomach again.

"Oh good chicken parmigiana," I said excitedly, my favorite dish and the last meal my mother ever made for me.

How the hell did Alexander know that? Or maybe it was just a coincidence. Yeah, definitely a coincidence. I brushed it off and devoured the food in less than thirty minutes.

I looked around the room for water, but there was nothing. "Who brings food for someone without water?" I grumbled, picking up my plates and making my way to the kitchen.

Luckily, I found the kitchen empty, and my eyes landed on the water dispenser. I quickly fetched a cup and took big gulps, feeling the cold water soothe my throat.

"Thalia?" a female voice said delightedly behind me. I turned to find Cassandra in a nightdress behind me.

"Hi, Cassan... Cassie," I said, trying to match her excited energy. She chuckled and approached me.

"I didn't expect to see you here. Where's Alex?"

"Uh he's busy I think," I said, not entirely sure how to answer her.

"He's working?" She asked with a gasp.

"No... I don't know... I don't think so... it's definitely important"

"That's not right. Let's go find him now," she said, taking my arm and nudging me toward the door.

"No I don't..." I couldn't finish what I was saying as I felt a sudden horrible churn in my stomach.

"What's wrong?" Cassandra asked, noticing my discomfort.

"The food went down the wrong way I think..." I stopped speaking again, but this time I felt a wave of nausea rising in my throat. I hurriedly reached for the sink, and with a haul my body convulsed and the contents of my stomach came out violently.

Cassandra came behind me rubbing my back soothingly. "I'm so sorry, it's okay, you'll be fine" she said, trying to calm me.

But I kept going until everything I had eaten earlier was down the sink. I sank and leaned against the counter and Cassandra gave me a cup of water. I took a sip of it, and I couldn't take more. It felt poky in my mouth.

"Are you okay?" Cassandra asked as she sat beside me. I shook my head, trying to think of a reasonable explanation for my sudden vomiting. My stomach filled with dread at the possibility that Brandon's child was growing inside me...

"Umm, do you happen to have one of those tests?" I asked Cassandra.

"Test? You mean pregnancy?" She said with a gasp.

"Yeah yeah," I said, afraid to meet her likely judging eye. I wonder if Cassandra knew the terms of my marriage to Alexander.

"I don't... but Edith might come with me to her room," she said, leading me out of the kitchen.

"Who's Edith?" I asked, utterly confused, the fog already building up in my head just doubled in size.

"Edith is my older sister. She's married to Silas."

"And Silas is...?"

"Alexander's younger brother," she explained as we reached the door. She twisted the knob to the door and we got in.

"Wow, her room is lovely," I said.

The room was nothing like mine. More modern and pinkish. Cassandra rummaged through a few drawers till she pulled out a box from one and yelled. "Found it!" She walked over and handed me the box.

"Can I take the test here?" I asked, wanting to just get this whole thing over with.

"Of course, don't touch too much though," she joked.

"Noted," I deadpanned.

I entered the bathroom, pulled out the pee stick and did what I had to do. I came out of the bathroom before the results showed, and I set it down on an armchair in the room.

"Help me check. I just can't," I said.

"Okay," Cassandra said and went closer to the stick after a few minutes, she turned to me with a small smile on her face.

"It's positive Thalia, you are expecting." Whatever armor I started building fell off completely after what she said. Everything came crashing down again. I fell to my knees and let my tears fall. This couldn't be happening. This would ruin things.

Cassandra came to me and wrapped me in a hug, rubbing circular motions on my back. "Let me guess it's not for Alexander?" She asked slowly.

I sobbed harder, unable to form a reply to her and she held me tighter.

"It's complicated," I choked out.

"Well, whatever it is, I'm here, Thalia, and you'll get through it."