Page 51 of Finding Forgiveness

“I said, get up.” The sheets that were covering my body were roughly torn away as she spoke. “I need you to take this.”

“Take what?” I asked, lifting my head from where it was buried in my pillow, glancing at her over my shoulder.

“A vitamin for the baby.” She extended her arm where a glass of water sat in her hand. “I may not be happy about this situation, but that’s my grandchild you’re carrying, so its welfare is my first priority.”

As shitty as I felt, a small smile tugged at my lips, because that was the last thing I expected her to say.

Sitting up, I reached for the glass. She opened her other hand to reveal a white, round tablet lying in her palm. I didn’t even think twice, taking it from her and popping it in my mouth. She was a doctor, after all. My mother may be cruel with her words, but apart from the slap I received last night—which I probably deserved—she would never physically harm me.

“Good girl,” she said once I’d swallowed it down. “I want you to take the next few days off school. It’s important you get your rest.”

“Okay,” I replied, feeling perplexed at the sudden change in her demeanour. “I’ll bring you up some dry toast and a glass of apple juice before I leave. Are you feeling nauseous?”

“A little.”

She nodded her head once. “The toast will help. I’ll get some peppermint tea on my way home from work. I used to drink that when I was pregnant with you.”

“You did?”

“Yes, I was dreadfully sick in my first trimester.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Hopefully you won’t suffer as much as I did.”

“Hopefully.”

“Have you told anyone about the pregnancy yet?”

“No.”

She arched an eyebrow like she didn’t believe me. “Not that boy or his sister?”

“No. Connor has exams on at the moment. I’m going to talk to him when he’s home for the holidays.”

“Good idea,” she said with an approving nod as she turned to leave. “This stays between us for now. I’m not going to mention it to your father either, he has a lot going on at the moment. The news will probably kill him.”

I rolled my eyes at her retreating back. Naturally, he’s not going to be thrilled that his sixteen-year-old, unmarried daughter is pregnant … but kill him? I highly doubt it.

My mother paused at the doorway just as I reached over to grab my phone off the bedside table. When she glanced over her shoulder and saw what I was doing, she spun around and stalked back towards the bed.

“What are you doing?” she snapped.

“Messaging Jacinta to let her know I won’t be at school. She’ll worry if I’m not there.”

“Make it quick.” Once I pressed send, she held out her hand. “I’ll take that.”

“Why?”

“Because you need your rest.”

“Can I just keep it here with me?”

“Give me the damn phone, Cassandra.”

Hesitantly, I handed it over. Just as I did, it dinged. “That will be Jacinta messaging me back.”

Ignoring me, she turned back towards the door and left.