“What do you want me to do?” Lauren smiled, imagining James spinning her in his arms upon hearing about their child. She’d dreamed of this moment. They’d been through so much, so God rewarded them with this precious gift.
“Lauren, when you see James, don’t mention we’re nearby,” Kevin requested.
“Why?” she asked, puzzled.
“For a clean experiment,” he explained, winking slyly at Sarah.
Sarah got that Kevin had a plan. Her husband was clever; she wouldn’t interfere. Maybe his idea would pay off and finally expose James for the rat he was. They headed to Kevin’s car.
“You think the dashcam’s at Lauren’s place?” Sarah whispered to Emily, ensuring Lauren, walking ahead with Kevin, didn’t hear.
“I’m sure of it,” Emily replied quietly. “James isn’t dumb enough to keep evidence at home. Besides the health records in his mom’s room, he’d stash the really incriminating stuff elsewhere.”
“Why are we all going to the retreat?” Sarah asked. “I don’t quite get it.”
“Honestly, neither do I,” Emily admitted. “But if your husband says we should, we should. Let’s go.”
Two hours later, Kevin’s car crunched over the gravel driveway of the countryside retreat. Lauren counted the minutes until she saw James.
“Lauren, let’s review,” Kevin said as he parked a safe distance away. He saw her impatience but felt it necessary to go over the plan. “You and James need to stand by those big bushes near the main building.” He pointed to a secluded park area.
“I remember,” Lauren squirmed in her seat. She wasn’t in the mood for strategy, especially with these people. She just wanted to share her joy.
Lauren stepped out, pulled her phone from her purse, and dialed James.
“Hey, sweetie!” she cooed into the receiver. “Guess where I am? No, I’m at the retreat’s entrance. The one you’re at with your mom. Babe, I missed you!”
Hearing Lauren’s tone with James, Emily smirked. She and James rarely used pet names, sticking to practical first names.
“Come out!” Lauren hung up and headed to the entrance, a spring in her step.
Kevin, Emily, and Sarah got out and quietly crept toward the bushy hedge Kevin had pointed out—perfect for watching and listening without being seen. Sarah pulled out her phone, ready to record. It might come in handy. You never know.
Minutes later, James and Susan exited the building.
“Miracle!” Sarah whispered. “Our martyr’s walking.”
“No kidding,” Emily shook her head, feeling a fresh wave of anger. She’d believed James for six months without a hint of doubt.
“Quiet, you chatterboxes!” Kevin hushed them. “We’ll miss the good stuff.”
“Lauren, darling!” Susan said, arms open to hug her. “What brings you here?”
“I came to tell James big news,” Lauren replied, hugging Susan but keeping her eyes locked on James.
“What news?” Susan asked.
“Let’s sit in the park,” Lauren invited, gesturing to a bench near the bushes. She saw James was in a foul mood, but she was sure she could fix that.
Sitting on a bench, Susan looked at Lauren eagerly. “So, what’s the news?” she asked.
“I’m pregnant,” Lauren announced proudly, clasping her hands. “James, you’re gonna be a dad.”
She looked at James, expecting a smile, a laugh, a hug. Instead, he froze like a statue.
“Seriously?” Susan asked, unsure how to react. She wanted grandkids, sure, but James was just supposedly starting his business. Money for that would now go to a child.
Blissful, Lauren didn’t notice James’s stony silence or Susan’s calculating look. She was overjoyed.
Emily sighed from the bushes, pitying lovesick Lauren. Three years with James taught her his ways. She saw he wasn’t thrilled about the pregnancy. Poor Lauren.
“James, why’re you quiet?” Lauren asked, finally noticing the lack of enthusiasm.
“It’s just bad timing,” James mumbled, staring at a spot on the ground.
“You don’t want our child?” Lauren was stunned, her smile fading. “How? You said you wanted a baby.”
“Lauren, don’t start,” James stood, pacing nervously. “We need to do something.”
“What?” Lauren’s eyes teared up.
“Your pregnancy’s inconvenient,” James repeated coldly. “My business is just taking off. I can’t deal with this now.”
“Our child’s a distraction?” Lauren was shocked.
“Don’t exaggerate,” James said, running a hand through his hair.
“Lauren, listen,” Susan sat beside her, putting a manipulative arm around her. “James is right. You need stability first. Build a financial cushion, then think about kids.”
“But my baby’s here now,” Lauren stood firm.
“You’re thinking only of yourself,” Susan shook her head disapprovingly. “James faces a tough divorce. You don’t know the fits Emily throws. If she learns you’re pregnant, you’ll be in danger. You know she can’t have kids and is mentally unstable.”
“I’ll show them danger,” Emily thought, clenching her fists. Kevin’s hand on her shoulder stopped her, his look warning her to stay put. Emily raised her hands, signaling she wouldn’t move yet.
“Plus, if she finds out about my car wash, she’ll demand a share,” James added, persuading Lauren. “I’ll divorce her quick, and it’ll be clean.”
“Lauren, remember you wanted to sell your place to fund your business with James?” Susan reminded gently.
“I do,” Lauren nodded slowly. “But where’ll we live?”
Idiot, Emily whispered. He’ll take her money and ditch her pregnant.
“Quiet,” Kevin hushed her again.
“My dear,” James knelt before Lauren, taking her hands. “Here’s the plan. While I’m at the retreat, you handle the pregnancy.”
“James already filed for divorce,” Susan interjected smoothly. “After, you’ll have the three-bedroom apartment James and his wife had.”
Sarah and Emily exchanged looks of disbelief. They were eyeing Emily’s grandma’s apartment? Unbelievable!
“James, I don’t want to lose our baby,” Lauren pleaded, pulling her hands away.
“Don’t complicate things,” James urged.
“Girls, our cue,” Kevin said decisively.
Emily stepped out from the bushes, smoothing her shirt and smiling sweetly at her husband, arms outstretched.
“James, darling!” she cooed, her voice dripping with mock affection. “Pinch me!”
“Why?” James was flustered, jumping back. He stared at her, confused. “What’s she doing here?”
“Why?” Emily smiled, masking her rage. She wanted to tear into this two-faced man. “It’s the first time in six months I see you walking. Isn’t that a miracle?”
“I, uh, walk,” James stammered. Only now did he realize he was standing before his wife, not in a wheelchair.
“You do!” Emily feigned joy, clapping her hands. “James, I’m so happy! Imagine how our life’ll change!”
“How?” James, shocked, echoed her. He didn’t know how to wriggle out of this. Caught faking his disability, with Lauren nearby. God forbid she spilled something to Emily. While married, Emily couldn’t know about his mistress or the secret car wash business.
“What do you mean, how?” Emily smiled. “We’ll move back to our apartment. You’ll go back to work, live like before. Best of all—we’ll have a baby.”
“What baby?” James stared at her, pale. “God, is she pregnant too?” He couldn’t handle that.
“James, I get you’re overwhelmed with joy. I can’t believe my eyes either.” Emily glanced at Susan, who’d been silent, frantically thinking. “Oh, my dear mother-in-law’s speechless with joy.”
“Susan, you can relax now,” Emily continued. “We’re moving out.”
“I was perfectly happy with our arrangement,” Susan lied through her teeth, shrugging. Her dreams of a European tour were crumbling before her eyes. Why did Emily have to show up now, dragging that nosy friend of hers along? “I’d be happy to keep living together.”
“Why?” Emily feigned surprise, widening her eyes theatrically. “I own a three-bedroom apartment, so there’s no need to share space. Plus, I want a baby.” She pouted playfully, twisting the knife.
Sarah watched from the sidelines, mentally applauding. Emily was masterfully riling James and his mom, playing them like a grand piano. A few more minutes, and they’d show their true colors.
Sarah glanced at Lauren and stopped smiling. Lauren looked pitiful—pale, trembling, and pained as she watched her beloved say absolutely nothing to his supposed ex-wife. Only now did Lauren see that James was a liar and a scoundrel. Sarah took her hand, giving it a squeeze of support. Yes, Lauren was wrong for dating a married man. Yes, she waited for James to divorce. Yes, she got pregnant by him. But who could judge her? In love, we often hear what we want to hear.
Lauren, eyes fixed on James, gripped Sarah’s hand tightly. She needed an anchor, realizing with every passing second that James’s promises were nothing but smoke.
“Emily, now’s not the time for a kid,” James mumbled, sweat beading on his forehead. “Understand, I’m just recovering.”
“That’s the only issue?” Emily perked up. “Nonsense. Our baby will give you the strength to move forward. Picture it—you’ll be a dad! You’ll feel responsible for this child. You’ll want the best for them. Maybe you’ll even start a business.”
“What business?” James stammered, glancing nervously at his mom. How did his wife know? Was it a coincidence?
“We’ll sell Susan’s apartment for the capital,” Emily said brightly, brimming with toxic ideas.
“Why mine?” Susan shrieked, stunned.
“Because we’ll live in mine with the baby.” Emily looked at Susan like she was deranged for not getting it. “What’s unclear?”
“Where will I live?” Susan asked, panic rising in her throat. She needed a plan before Emily left her homeless.
“Where?” Emily was shocked by the question. “We’ll find you a rental, but Michael will pay for it.”
“I don’t understand,” Susan sat heavily on the bench. The last half-hour felt like absurd theater. With Lauren, she’d controlled the situation, but Emily was a hurricane, sweeping everything away. Emily fired off brilliant, destructive ideas one after another, and Susan needed time to think.
“James, take me to my room,” Susan said, standing up on shaky legs.
“Susan, come on,” Emily pouted, blocking their path. “We were having such a nice chat, and you’re leaving, taking my beloved husband.”
“Emily, what do you want?” James asked brusquely, his facade cracking. He was fed up with her theatrics.
“I want a divorce,” Emily stopped smiling. Her face went cold.
“Good luck,” James sneered, regaining some bravado. “Don’t think you’ll get rid of me that easily. I’ll drag it out.”
“You used to blackmail me with your disability,” Emily said quietly, her words steel. “Now I know you’ve been lying about the accident’s effects.”
“Prove it,” James stopped smirking, sensing the gravity of her tone.
“I’ll get the hospital records if needed,” Emily threatened, then shifted topics seamlessly. “By the way, I know about your car wash.”
“How?” James paled, the blood draining from his face. “Who told you?”
“Good people,” Sarah couldn’t resist chiming in from the bushes.
“You’re the ‘good person’?” James glared at Lauren, who was standing by Sarah. “What an idiot! You told her?”
“Don’t insult women,” Kevin warned, stepping forward with his chest puffed out.
“Screw you all!” James shouted, losing control. “You won’t get anything from me! Hear that?”
“We’ll see,” Emily smiled, thrilled. She was done with this farce. Everything was clear. She turned her back on him, signaling she was finished. She headed toward the car, followed by Sarah and Lauren. Kevin lagged behind, tying his shoelace.