Chapter 4
FOUR
Elora
I drive straight from Beva’s house to Callum’s house, my stomach twisting with nerves. It feels strange. He lives so damn close to me, but I’ve never been to his house before. I’ve never even thought of going in.
Not that that would be a surprise to anyone.
We’re enemies, from the two families. No one would see a reason for us to visit each other’s houses. I’d already decided that if anyone caught me here, I would just say it was about a fight we were having in Neverwood. About the competition to see who would win more goldarium.
Now, I just need to go in. I just need to face him and tell him the truth, no matter how he reacts. No matter how mean he is.
Wiping the sweat from my palms onto my pants, I get out of my truck and look at the house that looks so similar to mine. It’s all modern lines, a contrast between white and black, with big windows that have been designed so no one can see into them, just out of them. I walk up the path through their perfectly manicured lawn and pray that Callum’s mother isn’t home.
I’d considered just trying to confront Callum in public, but I’d decided against it. I’d had a feeling that no matter how I approached the topic with him, he’d be an ass, and we’d just attract more attention. Attention we couldn’t afford to receive. This is the only way. I just hope he’s home.
What if the councilwoman answers? I push away the thought. Callum’s mom will be out and about, just like she always is. Everything will be fine.
Walking up to the door, I take a deep breath, then knock loudly.
There’s nothing for a long minute. No stirring of life, not even the slightest awareness that anyone is home, but then I sense motion on the other side of the door.
A minute later, Callum opens the door, and his gaze falls on me. He looks like hell. Like he’s not sleeping. Like he’s been busy partying it up for the past three weeks, which I fully believe based on the fact that he’s still in his pajamas in the middle of the day, his hair a mess, bags under his eyes, and more than a little stubble on his chin.
His eyes widen, and he says, “What the hell do you want?”
I draw my shoulders back. “We need to talk. Can you meet me at the entrance to Neverwood?”
His jaw tightens. “Not a fucking chance.” And he goes to slam the door.
I shove my body against it, pushing the door back open. “I’m not kidding. We really need to talk. This is important.”
He leans down so that those brilliant blue eyes of his, filled with malice, are level with my own. “What part of not a fucking chance don’t you understand?”
“Callum–”
“I don’t think you get it. I don’t want anything to do with you. My skin fucking crawls when you’re around. Just the sight of you makes me want to vomit. I. Don’t. Want. You. Here.”
Each word is like a blow to my heart. I can’t believe this is the same man who held me so gently, who loved me like I was the only woman on this planet. What changed with him?
I swallow around the lump in throat. “It doesn’t really matter how you feel about me. We need to have a quick conversation, and then I’ll go. Is your mom home? We can just step inside. It’ll only take a minute.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “You’ve been trying to figure out why your dad left this whole time.” I flinch at the venom in his voice, but he continues. “He left because of you. That’s clear to me now. He didn’t want to deal with a spoiled, self-absorbed whore.”
It’s hard to do anything but stare. “Callum. Please.” I’m practically begging him, but I don’t care.
He leans forward, pushing me back out the door with a firm hand on my shoulder. “And maybe that fire wasn’t a mistake. Maybe your mom was trying to get away from you any way she could.”
My jaw drops open, and he slams the door in my face.
I stare. And stare. I couldn’t imagine my worst enemy saying crueler things to me than what Callum just did, but as awful as this is, I think it’s a good thing. Now, I know without question that he meant it when he said that here or Neverwood, I’m on my own.
I’m on my own here.
Heading back to my truck, I fight the tears that are threatening to well up. I touch my stomach, then drop my hand, just in case someone is watching. The truth is that I’m not on my own here; I have a baby to think about, a baby to protect. I can’t wait any longer to put my plan into action. Everyone thinks I’m already sleeping with Ferone, so the scientists shouldn’t question the timing later. But I need to sleep with Ferone and give him the plausibility that he’s the father.
A plan is set in motion. I’ll find a fairly public event to have sex with Ferone. Any doubt anyone might have will be erased that way. Then, when they discover I’m pregnant at the physical, it’ll be easy to lie and say it’s Ferone’s. Things will move quickly then. We’ll have some grand affair wedding. Both our lives will change forever. We’ll both get something out of the match—me, safety for my baby, him, anything he could ever want.
Because if I don’t do this, I know in my gut the Council will abort the baby. I won’t be given a choice in the matter; it’ll be inflicted upon me. And right now, as much as I love Callum, I love my baby more. If hiding who the child’s father is saves my baby, then that’s what I’ll do.
I start driving, wiping away a tear I hadn’t even known had fallen. In my mind, a picture of Callum, a baby, and me in a happy home disappears like a picture being lit on fire. That was never going to happen, so it’s better to focus on my reality. There’s a party tonight. I’ll make sure Ferone is there, and then I can accomplish the first step of my plan.
It’s my only hope.