Chapter 4

4.

I feigned ignorance and let my eyes go wide as I looked at Mary.

Her cheeks colored, her voice shy.

"Ervin, I was going to save this news until after the wedding."

"When did you find out?"

She thought about it.

"The doctor said from the size it looks like four weeks. It's probably just growing fast."

Inside, I smiled coldly.

From the messages she'd traded with Kerry, it was clearly closer to two months.

I grabbed her hand at once.

"Come on. Let's get you a checkup at the hospital."

She still had more to say, but I hauled her into the car before she could argue.

Kerry tried to climb in too, but I just locked the doors.

At the hospital, Mary spoke up.

"The doctor said to come back at two months. Isn't it a little early right now?"

I shook my head.

"Not too early. A friend of mine told me miscarriages happen easily right after you first find out. You need more checks in the first three months."

Then I walked her into the prenatal department.

While she stepped out to take a phone call, I slipped the doctor an envelope.

"Do an amniocentesis. I want a DNA comparison."

"But the baby's only four weeks—"

"It's almost two months. The test will work."

I handed the doctor a few strands of my hair, along with Kerry's.

Once he understood, he gave me a nod.

Then he took Mary into the exam room.

She'd never had an amniocentesis before, so she thought it was just a routine checkup.

When she came out, she even messaged Kerry.

"He bought it. He keeps asking how the baby's doing."

"He still has no clue the baby isn't even his."

"I'm dying laughing."

After that, Mary pestered me into posting about the pregnancy on my social feed.

The congratulations came pouring in from friends.

And Mary told her family the news too.

A week later, the wedding went ahead as scheduled.

Mary and I walked up onto the stage.

As we walked, she asked me again.

"Ervin, you promised me. Once we're married, you'd add my name to all the property deeds. Don't forget."

"I won't."

Kerry stood below the stage, a mocking smile on his face, his eyes full of hunger for my money.

Just then the host handed me the microphone and asked me to tell everyone the story of Mary and me.

I took the microphone, swept my gaze over the crowd, and slowly began.

"I'd like to announce that the wedding is off."