Page 271 of Ricardo

My hand presses low against my stomach again.

This time, I leave it there.

Finally, Victoria looks at the small clock on the bedside table.

“It’s been three minutes.”

My heartbeat becomes too loud.

“I can’t look.”

“Do you want me to?”

I shake my head.

Then nod.

Then shake my head again.

Victoria does not move until I make myself stand.

My legs feel strange as I cross back to the bathroom. The test sits on the counter beside the sink, face down because I turned it that way before leaving. As if it'll make a difference.

I reach for it.

Stop.

Behind me, Victoria stands in the doorway, close enough to help, far enough to let me have my moment.

I pick up the test and turn it over.

The result appears instantly.

Clearly.

Undeniably.

Positive.

For a second, I do not breathe.

The bathroom disappears around me. The stone counter. The mirror. The soft towels. Victoria in the doorway. The faint sound of voices downstairs.

Positive.

I am pregnant.

I am pregnant with Ricardo’s child.

The thought is so gentle, initially.

Then everything else crashes into it.

Dante’s blood.

Harrison’s roses.

Ricardo’s rage.