Chapter 11
Emma
Monday morning I’m first to enter the break room, hoping to grab my coffee and get back to my desk before Marcus strolls in. I don't want to face him today. I'm a mess, and I can already hear his probing questions. But fate never seems to be in my favor.
“Good morning, early bird! Did you get your heat fixed yet?” Marcus calls out cheerfully behind me. Just before I brace myself for his inevitable questions, he appears beside me, his gaze sweeping over my face. His smile quickly fades and is replaced with concern.
“No offense," he continues, his tone tinged with worry, "but you look like you could use a day off, girl. Is my brother really riding you that hard?” He makes himself laugh at his own innuendo.
“Ha, no offense taken," I reply, attempting to keep my tone light. "Perhaps I will take a half day today. I just have a few urgent things to take care of first." I start to back away, eager to escape the conversation. "I better get started now, I’ll catch up with you later, Marcus!”
But before I can make my escape, Marcus grabs my elbow firmly, stopping me in place.
“Emma, seriously, what’s going on? You look like you could pass out any second, and you sound nervous. You know you can tell me anything, right?” The concern laced in his voice is so heartwarming, it makes my eyes water.
“I’m fine, Marcus," I insist, though the quiver in my voice gives me away. I try to play it off by clearing my throat. "Maybe I’m just getting sick, so you better stay away from me.” I attempt to step back.
Not missing a beat, his grip tightens on my elbow. “Okay. I’m not letting you leave until you tell me what’s really going on." His expression grows more serious. "You’re scaring me, Em. Did something happen?”
My eyes dart between Marcus's while I ponder if I should just tell him. I trust him to keep my secret. If I can tell him, maybe this will be a practice run before I tell Noah. He’s going to find out eventually, he may as well find out about it now.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out before I can change my mind. The words hang in the air between us. “I’m pregnant, and Noah doesn’t know yet. I’m planning to tell him today, but I’ve just been too scared of his reaction, so please don’t say anything before I can talk to him.” The words spill out uncontrollably.
“What. The. FUCK.”
Marcus and I both jump at the sound of Noah’s voice reverberating around the room behind us. With a pounding heart, I slowly turn around to face him. When my eyes connect to his, I'm met with pure rage I never anticipated to see. I can feel Marcus behind me, his presence reassuring.
“Is this some kind of sick joke, Emma?” Noah's jaw ticks. His fury is palpable and my heart sinks as I struggle to find the words to explain myself and to calm him down.
“Noah, please, let me explain!" I plead. "I was just coming to tell you myself. I swear. Can we talk in private?”
“I actually can’t believe this," he continues, ignoring my question. "I never thought you’d turn out to be just like every other woman I’ve met who has tried to trap me one way or another.” The contempt in his voice cuts deep.
My eyes widen in shock. “NO. Noah, listen— “
“I’ve worked my ass off to get where I am. I won’t let someone like you use me as your meal ticket.” His words strike me like a slap across the face. I’m stunned and reeling from the cruelty of his accusation.
“Woah, woah, woah," Marcus interrupts. "Noah, you’re taking this way too far.” Marcus tries to intervene, his hands raised as if to calm the storm brewing in his brother.
“Stay the fuck out of this, Marcus,” he snaps. He turns back towards me with a sneer. "Get out of my building. You’re fired.”
“Brother— “
This time, it’s me who interrupts. "Wait a damn minute. You can’t fire me for being pregnant!” Anger courses through me at his threat. I never imagined he would react this badly. I know I should have told him during the interview process, but I was scared I wouldn’t get the job. And while it’s illegal to fire someone for being pregnant, I’m sweating thinking he may just be crazy enough to do it anyway.
“You’re right, Ms. Lawson. I can’t fire you for that. But I CAN make your life a living hell until you quit." The venom he spits causes me to flinch.
"Effective immediately, your schedule is officially extended to seven. I’ll have a stack of files waiting for you to work through by the end of the day today, and don’t even think about
leaving until every last detail has been checked. Tomorrow, I’ll find more. Be ready, because I’ll be watching your performance closely.” With that, he pivots and leaves. The silence that follows is thick and heavy and I feel as if I'm suffocating.
“Emma, I am so sorry for my brother’s tantrum. I’ll go talk to him,” Marcus says in disbelief.
“Thank you, Marcus, but this is between me and Noah. I don’t want to drag you in the middle of it.” I give him a sad smile, hoping to convey my gratitude. Without another word, I make my way back to my desk.
Twelve hours a day. He wants me to spend twelve hours a day confined to this space. My thoughts turn angry and bitter the longer I contemplate the situation. I can understand why he feels betrayed. We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks now, I should have told him about the baby right away. But to accuse me of trying to trap him? Shaking my head, I try to focus on the task at hand and flip open the first thick file.