Chapter 32

Noah's POV

I was glad that Elle's family took the news ok. I was slightly worried about her dad's reaction. It had begun to sink in more and more, what I had done. I was very unhappy with myself. But the problem was, I couldn't talk to anyone about it. Because if I did, then they would know what a terrible person I am. I was so worried about losing Elle, I thought that by getting her pregnant I was making sure that she would always be mine.

But I didn't see what I was also doing to her. The strain I was putting on her and her body. The life that she had imagined for herself taken away from her. Her hopes and dreams disappearing because of my selfishness. I had big fears that Elle would grow to resent me because of this. I knew that, that fear was sure to come to life if Elle ever found out what I had done to her.

I knew that I was going to spend the rest of my life keeping this huge secret and trying to make up for what I had done. And that made me sad. Because I knew that it wasn't fair for me to expect Elle to sacrifice and not do the same.

Not only had I thrown away Elle's dream. But now I was going to have to throw mine away as well. I was going to have to give up Harvard. It was the only way I could be a good husband to Elle and a good dad. They needed me more right now, than I needed to succeed.

I had thought it all through and I had even chatted to my dad about it. He was happy that I was going to be working for his firm instead of making a name for myself. And he assured me that I would still be mentally challenged and enjoy work, even though he was going to be my boss.

I knew that once I got to the firm. I would have to endure all the snide comments from my colleagues. And I knew that their comments would be justified. Because I won't have earned my place boosting my balls like everyone else had to. No, I was handed a comfortable life from daddy without lifting a finger.

With the whole Lee and Racheal business. I wasn't too sure how to feel about it. I was so wrapped up in my own drama and my own head. That I didn't really have time to process any of the drama going on in Lee's life.

I was surprised when it turned out that Racheal was actually pregnant. I hoped that there was some sort of mistake. But then I thought to myself – At least my child will have a cousin to grow up with.

Elle was there for Lee, like she always was. And I marvelled at how strong she was. She put aside all of her own drama to focus completely on Lee's. I knew that Elle didn't like Racheal. But after Racheal came to the house with her parents, to announce that she was actually pregnant and started Lee down the same track he was headed a few weeks ago, that Elle now hated Racheal.

I didn't know where to put myself when Elle explained things to Daisy. I wasn't good with emotional stuff. So, I decided to sit back and let the drama unfold and see what happened.

When Marco had showed up on our doorstep, I wondered why he had come. I hoped that he wasn't here to talk to Elle about Julliard. Because the last thing we needed right now was two, upset, pregnant women.

Marco said he wanted to see Lee. Which, in itself was strange. Because he wasn't really close with Lee. It had always been Elle that he wanted to see.

Like Racheal, I had followed Marco into the kitchen. When Marco said that he had been sleeping with Racheal. I felt a strange mix of emotion. The first emotion I felt was the need to protect Elle and the baby. Because, as soon as he had said it. Racheal had exploded in outrage. She looked like she was going to start throwing things and I didn't want Elle and my unborn child, anywhere near to harm's way.

The other emotion I felt, was relief. Relief because I knew that any lingering feelings Elle might have had for him. Would definitely be gone after this.

And then I felt even more guilty. Because, one of the things that made me most paranoid about Elle going to Julliard. Was that, she was going with Marco. I didn't want them spending time together and bonding. Because I saw what had happened the last time, they had spent time together and bonded. Therefore, my rash decision to get Elle pregnant had been swayed a lot by Marco. But now, if Marco was the father of Racheal's child. Then I really didn't have to get Elle pregnant at all.

Elle could have gone away to Julliard and Marco as a new dad. Wouldn't have been able to join her.

When Racheal had explained that Marco was jealous and wanted her like he wanted Elle, so was making it all up. I couldn't help but wonder if she was actually telling some of the truth this time. Marco did have a track record for trying to get what wasn't his. Also, Marco had never expressed the slightest interest. Or even acknowledgement in Racheal before. So, I knew that this must have had something to do with Elle.

I didn't believe Racheal completely. I hoped for my brother sake, that Racheal and Marco had been sleeping together. Because I really wanted Racheal out of our lives for good. I didn't like a single thing about the girl. I never had. But I had also never said anything to Lee or Elle about it out of respect for my brother and his choices.

Marco POV

This had to be, without any doubt, the worst day of my life ever. The love of my life was engaged and knocked up to someone I frankly hated. I had realised that neither of us were going to get our dream of going to Julliard. We were both trapped in situations we couldn't get out of. Everyone thought that I was lying about sleeping with Racheal and being the real father of her child -Well, everyone apart from Elle, and maybe Lee thought I was lying.

I was in a house full of people that didn't love me, and didn't want me in their lives. No one would have noticed if I had disappeared right then and there. They only thing that kept me fighting, kept me sitting in that chair and taking all of the nasty and disappointed looks. Was the baby growing inside Racheal. I knew it was mine. And I wasn't going to let my child go without a fight. I wasn't my father, who abandoned my mother, me and my sister, when he thought things were too hard and wanted an easy life. I took responsibility for my actions. And as far as I was concerned, the only thing that mattered in the world. Was that child's wellbeing.

Even I couldn't kid myself that me and Racheal had a hope in hell of having any kind of relationship and being a family unit. I knew now that I was nothing more than a sperm donor to her. But I still had hope that we might be able to reach some sort of understanding. If only for the sake of our child.

I knew I was in for the long haul. I didn't know how long paternity tests took. I didn't even know if it was possible to get one whilst Racheal was still pregnant. But I had to just grit my teeth and wait for the truth to finally come out.

Racheal's POV

Things were tense for a while. No one was really speaking. Elle was surrounded by Flynn's who all kept smiling at her and treating her as if she were made out of glass. Everyone kept asking her if she needed anything or if there was anything, they could do to make her more comfortable.

It made me hate Elle more and more each time someone fell over themselves for her. I should be where Elle was right now, I should be getting my hair kissed by Noah as he lay, his hands protectively over my belly. It should be Noah's child inside of me and not Marco's.

I glanced at Marco and couldn't bring myself to feel sorry for him. He had gotten what he wanted out of this as much as I had. He had gotten to forget Elle for a while. And he didn't even have to have any of the responsibility of raising a child. But that still wasn't enough for him. He still wanted to ruin this for me. He just had to put his nose into my business and potentially take away everything I had worked so hard for so far.

I wasn't sure what I would do about a paternity test. I hadn't thought of that one. I didn't know how long I had to figure that out either. As I sat watching the room the solution came to me.

I didn't want to be pregnant anymore. Getting fat wouldn't help me land Noah and that paternity test would show that the baby wasn't Lee's. I wanted attention like Elle always got. I wanted everyone to be falling over themselves trying to please me. The way it was meant to be.

Elle had stolen my thunder by being pregnant too. And I had to do something about that eventually. But for now. I needed to get rid of this thing growing inside me. Then I can say that I lost the baby and finally have all of the attention for once.

Then I wouldn't get fat and ugly. And Noah would hopefully be so sympathetic towards me that we would eventually grow closer and I could get him into my claws.

Marco caught my eye as I smiled and I knew that was what made him finally leave. No one even batted an eyelid as he left, and I smiled wider. This time it was Noah who looked at me as I did.

Somehow, someway I would have it all.