Chapter 3

The first week in the house, I spent most of my time getting the place stocked up with food, mostly things for the baby. Every time I went out to the grocery store I felt myself feeling real nervous about buying little toys and socks for the baby. I felt like everyone's eyes were on me, judging me for my mistake…

At times I found myself sitting on the porch of the guest house, crying my eyes out. I knew being stressed out would hurt the baby but I really couldn't help myself.

One night while I was sitting outside, my private moment was interrupted by the sound of a motorbike pulling into the garage sitting next to the guest house. I glared over at it and noticed my idiotic brother-in-law riding into the garage. I had to admit, he didn't look too bad straddling it. No wonder my sister loved him so much. The bike itself was even gorgeous, painted ruby red and shining even in the faint light from my porch. If only he and I got along…maybe he would take me for a ride sometime.

I was about to look away when he glanced over at me. Great….just what I needed. I had been avoiding him since I first got here and now here he was coming to bother me.

He parked his bike in the garage and turned it off before heading in my direction. I tried not to roll my eyes but, you know I couldn't help myself. I then forgot that my eyes were soaked from crying and I started wiping them off. Gosh I wished Tracy was out here. I so didn't want to talk to him, although his appearance was turning me on. He wore a black beater with a pair of form fitting jeans and black boots. I couldn't believe how in shape he was. I guess that went along with his ego and his sexiness….

"Hey," he said. "What are you doing out here all alone?"

I glared at him, "As if you care…"

He chuckled and took off his sunglasses before stepping up onto the porch. "I do care Serena…more than you think honestly."

"Yea right, you sure as hell didn't seem to care when I first got here." I snapped.

He folded his arms over his chest and stood in front of me. "Look. I don't know what you're trying to pull over your sister, but you and I both know that you're very capable of taking care of yourself."

I slowly stood up, "What are you talking about Mark?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. You've been here a week now and I've yet to see you come into the main house for anything." He said.

"That's because I still had some money left in my bank account asshole. I've been buying my own food and recently got a job so I can start saving up to take care of my child if that's alright with you." I said feeling the anger boiling up.

His eyes narrowed, "Oh…well next time you decide to show up on our doorstep, please be ready to be scowled because…" I backed away as he stepped closer to me and moved my bangs out of my face. "I have no sympathy for little whores like you who lay on their back and get themselves knocked up just so she has a reason to get kicked out of her house."

I gasped, "That's not what happened Mark!"

"Then what did happen? You got drunk? You fell on top of him?"

I shook my head as tears fell from my eyes, "I don't have to explain anything to you."

"You do when you live in my guest house little girl." He said. "So tell me…which one of those scenarios was right?"

I gritted my teeth and balled up my fists. "You know…I don't know why you hate me so much…but I'm not about to stand here and deal with your shit."

He smirked at me as I turned on my heels and headed for my door before I went inside I stopped and turned around, ready to make him feel like an ass.

"Oh…and he got drunk and raped me…asshole," I watched his face go blank before I stomped into my house and slammed the door shut. I couldn't believe this man. I mean what was he thinking coming up to me and accusing me of being a whore? I wanted to cry so bad, but I knew I knew I needed to stop the water works. I needed to be strong for my baby, even if that meant putting up with Mark's bullshit.

I went straight to my room and got out my night clothes so I could get ready for a shower. Lord knows I needed one after that conversation with Mark. Goodness he was an ass!

Later on that night, my sister came over to check on me as usual. I always loved seeing her at the end of the day. It helped me get through the night without nightmares.

"Hey girl, how you feeling?" she asked me as I cut up some carrots for a night time snack.

I shrugged, "I'm good…just can't wait to go to my first doctor's appointment."

She smiled, "Awe, I'm so happy your being responsible about this sis. I wish I was as responsible as you."

I looked at her as I poured some ranch dressing into a small cup, "What do you mean by that? You're very responsible sis."

She shook her head, "No…I'm not."

I sat down in the chair across from her feeling like she was about to tell me something secretive. "Go on sis. You know Mark and I don't talk like that so, you can tell me anything."

Her bottom lip quivered, "God I'm such an idiot…"

"What Trace?" I said getting slightly scared.

She shook her head, "I can't talk about this…it's too hard you know?"

"Well I wish I knew because then I would be able to help you out." I said. "Come on; tell me what's going on."

Her eyes turned red before she started crying. "Serena I'm so glad you're here. I had no one to talk to about this…but I think Mark will leave me if he finds out what I'm going to tell you."

I tensed in my chair, not sure if that was a good thing or not. I mean I loved seeing Tracy happy but I hated dealing with Mark and his constant bullying.

"Listen…the year before Mark and I were married, I was going to therapy."

"For what?" I asked as I took a bite of my carrot.

She sighed, "I had an alcohol addiction…and I asked my therapist what could happen if it continued."

"Ok…what did she tell you?" I asked.

"She told me I could die, or even become infertile. At that time I really didn't think Mark and I were going to last so…I had my uterus removed."

My eyes widened. "You did what! Tracy why?"

She shrugged, "Because I loved alcohol so much that…I'd rather drink that then have kids…"

I blinked not believing what I was hearing. "Oh my goodness…Mark wants kids doesn't he?"

She stood up and walked to the kitchen counter, "Yes and we've been trying for about a year to have kids…he has no clue that I don't have a uterus."

"Tracy…you should tell him." I said. "Mark loves you…you shouldn't lie to him like this."

She shivered as tears fell from her eyes, "I can't sis, I love him too much to hurt him like this."

"Well he'll figure it out eventually Tracy and trust me what I say, when that day comes he'll be more upset because you hid it from him."

She turned around as she wiped her eyes, "I know…but I'm so scared of losing him."

I looked back down at my plate and then sighed, "Alright…but how long are you going to hide this from him?"

She shrugged, "I don't know Serena I guess eventually I'll just come up with an excuse."

"Well…I'm here for you no matter what ok? Just promise me you're not going to be one of those jealous people who hate me because I can have children."

"I won't sis. Believe me I really don't want kids…" she said with a chuckle that slightly scared me. "Anyways…I came here because I needed to let you know that I can't take you to your appointment tomorrow."

"Why not?" I asked.

She sighed, "Because I'm going to meet my new therapist…"

I blinked at her knowing she was hiding something. "What are you not telling me?"

"…he's a guy…"

I gasped, "Oh my goodness…is he cute?"

"Apparently but I'm planning on letting you meet him at some point. You need a new guy in your life." She said.

I shook my head, "no I don't Trace, I need to get my heart back in place before I move onto someone else."

She sighed, "I know Serena but there is nothing wrong with exploring your options. Just think about that alright? You're going to be a mom soon and being a single one really sucks."

I nodded, "Alright I'll think about it."

"Ok." She said before hugging me. "I'm going to get inside now…I love you and remember, keep that secret between us."

I nodded, "Ok…and keep that husband of yours away from me since he thinks I'm a whore."

She blinked at me, "Did he say that to you?"

I sighed, "Yes and he had the nerve to accuse me of being able to take care of myself without help…what's his deal with me?"

She sighed, "I don't know but I'm going to rip him a new asshole if he keeps it up. Get some rest sweetie."

I nodded as she headed for my front door and left. I got up and locked the door, thinking about her secret and how it could tear them apart forever….