Page 82 of The Silver Swan (The Elite King's Club 1)

Isat in my car, my fingers wrapped tightly around the steering wheel, feeling equal parts anger and humiliation. I should have known better than to come to Brett's corporate office in an attempt to talk to him. I'd resolved to raise this baby on my own, but after a visit with the doctor and a discussion of potential medical issues that could cost a fortune I didn't have, I had to consider letting Brett know about the baby. I had no doubt that he would be angry and say cruel things to me. And he would definitely want me to keep the secret of the baby's paternity from everyone, especially Lindsay. But maybe he would offer financial help in case I needed it.

I couldn't deny that deep down, a part of me hoped he would be different. That he would want to be a father to this baby. That he would want me. It was laughable how stupid that was, considering the last time I saw him. The man wanted me sexually, but it also made him angry to want me. Why I still pined for him made no sense. I guess I was longing for the sweet Brett, but that part of him wasn’t who he really was. I knew that when I called in sick to my student teaching and drove to Brett's corporate office after looking it up on the Internet.

I was able to make my way to his office, but his secretary, a woman who could give the Wicked Witch of the West a run for her money, stopped me. I understood that it was her job to be his gatekeeper. And I didn't have an appointment. But her attitude toward me went way beyond simply telling me I couldn't see Brett. Her eyes scanned my body, her lips distorting into something that looked like disgust. Granted, I wasn't dressed my best, but I wasn't wearing dirty, smelly clothes either.

"Good for you for wanting to get control of your health, but Mr. McKinnon isn't a trainer. You should go to one of the gyms."

I frowned as I looked down at my body. Her words and her expression told me she thought I was fat. "I'm not here about a gym membership. I need to see—"

She rose, her eyes piercing to the point where I felt like I wanted to wither away. "No appointment, no visit."

I glanced at the door to his office wondering if I could make a run to it. She was tall and svelte, but her pencil skirt would limit how fast she could move to catch me.

"He isn't even here. If you don't leave now, I will be forced to call security."

Maybe this was a sign that I needed to do exactly as Brett had told me. Maybe I needed to stay the fuck away from him.

I held my chin up as I left the area, entering the elevator to return to the ground floor. By the time I reached my car, I couldn't decide whether I was more humiliated or angry and decided that I was both. She was a cool, condescending woman, so I suppose it made sense that she worked for Brett.

I started my car, pulling out and heading down the street. The route I took brought me in front of Brett's building again. As I slowed for the light, I saw Lindsay walk up to the building’s door and enter, clearly going to visit her father. I saw an open parking spot and quickly pulled into it to watch and wait for her to come out. I didn't want to talk to her. I wanted to know whether the secretary had been lying to me or not. After fifteen minutes, when Lindsay didn't appear, I knew I'd been lied to. Brett was in his office.

I pulled into traffic and headed south to the library where I did tutoring after school. It was still early in the day, but I figured I would use the time to read up on pregnancy, potential complications, and what I could do to have the healthiest pregnancy and baby possible. One thing I knew I wouldn't do was ask Brett for help.

But even thinking that, I knew it wasn't true. This wasn't just about me. If it turned out my baby needed help, I would definitely ask Brett for help, and I wouldn't care if anyone found out about me and Brett. My child's health was the most important thing. But unless and until that happened, I was resolved to raise the child on my own. That was the way Brett would want it anyway. It would be the only way for me to do what he asked me to do, which was to stay away from him.

I spent the afternoon reading at the library and then meeting with the two students I was tutoring, one in World Civilization and the other in American History. Afterward, I headed home with a stop to pick up dinner from the hot bar at the grocery store. For me, it was a salad filled with vegetables, chicken, and hard-boiled eggs for protein. For my dad, I loaded up on a little bit of everything from chicken wings to barbecued ribs, potato salad, and green beans. There would likely be enough for him to take to work tomorrow.

As I pulled up to the house, I noticed a car parked out in front. As I passed it to pull in the driveway, I realized it was Lindsay's car. Panic shot through me. Why was she here? I supposed I wouldn't be hard to find, but why had she come now? I'd been gone for nearly a month.

For a moment, I sat in the car, contemplating not going in. But I wasn't a coward, so I grabbed the food and my book bag and headed up to the house. I opened the door, peeking in to see my dad sitting in his chair and Lindsay on the couch, both of them in the middle of a good laugh.

As I stepped in, my father's attention turned to me. "Well, speak of the devil."

I looked over at Lindsay, wondering what her reaction was going to be. She had to be angry at the way I left, and at the same time, Lindsay was one of those people who didn't hold onto grudges.

She stood and looked at me. "I want to be mad at you, Mira, for what you did, but I'm just too happy to see you." She came toward me, giving me an enthusiastic hug. "I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you. No wonder you left. I was such a terrible friend. Here you were, dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. I didn't even know you were seeing anyone. That's how terrible a friend I am."

I shot a look at my father. Why had he told her I was pregnant? He gave me a sheepish smile and a shrug.

Lindsay pulled back. "Will you ever forgive me?"

My emotions were reeling, and at the same time, I couldn't deny that it was good to see her, to be around her energy that was always positive, even in a negative situation.

I nodded. “There's nothing to forgive. I didn't leave because you weren't a good friend. I just needed to go." I didn't know what else to say.

She took my hand and dragged me to the couch. I set the food on the coffee table.

"Is the daddy Oliver?" she asked as she tugged me down next to her. She looked at me strangely. It was as if she didn't want it to be Oliver. Then she shook her head. "It couldn't be Oliver, though, could it? I mean on New Year's when I found you in the bathroom, was that morning sickness even though it was at night, right? I don't think you knew Oliver before that night."

In the past, I’d always been entertained by how Lindsay could have a whole conversation between us all on her own.

"It's not Oliver. It's not anyone you know."

"It's not anybody, anybody knows," my father said, earning him another glare from me.

"Well, I can help you find him if you want. Or maybe you don't want to find him. No matter what, though, I'm here for you. And if the baby daddy does show up and he hurts you, I will make his life a misery. I promise you that."

My father regarded Lindsay with approval. He turned his attention back to me. "Is that dinner? I'm starving."