Your Lie Cost You Me Chapter 03
Author: Mabel Sterling
As the elevator descended, I found myself replaying Ben’s behavior over the last three months.
Looking back, his act hadn’t been convincing at all. I just hadn’t seen through it because I had blamed every inconsistency on his amnesia.
I was so distracted that I followed another passenger off on the OB-GYN floor. By the time I realized my mistake, I was already halfway down the hall.
I was about to turn back when I spotted Ben, the last person I expected to see there.
Wasn’t he supposed to be home making dinner with Jean?
I stopped outside the door just as a doctor spoke from inside. “You’re eight weeks pregnant. Do you plan to keep the baby?”
Jean hadn’t even opened her mouth when Ben spoke up from behind her. “Yes. We’re keeping it.”
Ben held the ultrasound report as he pulled Jean into a tight embrace. “Did you hear that? We’re having a baby!”
He immediately started planning the wedding. “We’ll get married before you start showing. I’ll call my parents tomorrow so we can start making arrangements. I know it’ll be rushed, but I promise you won’t have to settle for less.”
Ben had his back to me, but Jean’s eyes met mine. My expression gave nothing away. She went pale and shoved him away.
Ben followed her gaze and turned around. For a split second, I saw panic in his eyes. “Noelle? I thought you went to work. What are you doing here?”
I ignored him and kept my eyes on Jean. I already knew the answer, but I asked anyway, “You’re pregnant?”
Jean lowered her head, looking pitiful as she avoided my gaze.
Ben frowned and stepped between us. “We’re engaged. We got carried away and forgot to use protection. Accidents happen.”
I gave a wry smile, unsure whether I was answering him or reminding myself. “Right. You’re engaged to Jean now.”
On the drive home, Jean sat beside me, staring down at her lap without saying a word. Ben kept an eye on me through the rearview mirror, as if he thought Jean needed protection from me.
I looked down at my phone and texted HR back. “I’ll take the transfer to Velmora.”
At the company’s midyear review, the executives announced plans to expand overseas. They would select engineers from branches across the country to support the expansion.
I happened to be the only engineer in the company who had earned a second degree in Velmoran.
Even if Ben had never lost his memory, I could never have handled a long-distance relationship.
I had already chosen Ben over my own future once. From now on, I would put myself first.
Once we got home, I found out why Ben had rushed Jean to the hospital. She had started throwing up while making dinner, and he’d thought something was wrong with her stomach.
Afraid the smell of food would make her sick again, Ben told me to help him in the kitchen instead.
Jean hesitated and glanced at me. “But Noelle’s never even been in the kitchen.”
Ben helped her onto the couch. “Then she can learn. You can’t be expected to do everything now that you’re pregnant.”
The mention of Jean’s pregnancy stung. I turned away and went into the kitchen to wash the vegetables.
Ben followed me in and locked the door behind him.
“If anything happens to Jean or the baby, you’ll have me to deal with.”
