The Perfect Deception (27 page)

T
he baby news changed everything.

After finding out that Jessica would spend the night in intensive care and not be allowed visitors, Nathan called the office and took the afternoon off.While at the hospital, he’d read the rest of Jessica’s letter, which mentioned a package from someone in Canada. She’d written that he should read it. He couldn’t imagine why.

Five minutes after entering her condo and scanning the packet’s contents, which included a short letter that Jessica wrote, the reason became clear. And Nathan’s world changed once again.

He ended up in his parking garage, but didn’t remember driving. With effort he made it home to his office, collapsed in the chair, placed a phone call to Vincent, e-mailed his sister, and now waited for her call.

He’d never gone to war, but Nathan believed he now knew what it meant to be shell-shocked. In fact, after what he’d learned in the past two hours, a word had probably not yet been invented for how he felt right now
. Jessica was from Canada? Their initial meeting was a plan to set him up? Jessica was pregnant? Jessica Bolton was Jacqueline Tate’s sister, only—wait for it—not really?
He placed his elbows on his legs and his head in his hands. Either he was going crazy or had entered the twilight zone.

Seriously, it was too much.

“Sherri’s going to freak out,” Nathan muttered, changing positions to rest his head against the back of the chair. He tried to relax. Impossible. He attempted not to think. Ridiculous. Chasing the thoughts running through his head was all he could do. He’d just jumped up to go to the roof and try and clear his head, when the phone rang.

He pushed the speaker button. “Sherri.”

“I. Can’t. Believe it.”

He fell into the chair. “I know, right?”

“Nathan, I mean it. If this is a joke, it’s not funny.”

“You think I could make this shit up?”

“I’d hoped so. This is beyond crazy, it’s ludicrous! What you’ve shared sounds like a movie script, I mean, it can’t be real life!”

“Not just real life. My life.”

“I have no words.”

“You either?”

“All of this
and
Jessica’s pregnant?”

“Yep.”

“Plus, she’s related to the woman that made our lives a living hell?”

“Yes and no. Did you read all of what I sent?”

“Brother, I barely made it through the first few lines before picking up the phone.”

“Well, read the rest.”

“I don’t know if my heart can stand it.” Nathan’s attempted laugh sounded more like a wounded bear growling. “I mean, she tried to kill herself, she’s pregnant, she’s a witch’s sister . . .”

“What are the chances, huh? Even though she approached me with intent, why of all women did I have to fall in love with her? With as many women as I’ve been with, why did I have to go and get her pregnant?”

“Considering who we’re dealing with, I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. Wait on the DNA.”

“Yes, I guess I should but . . .”

“But what?”

“I’m pretty sure it’s mine.”

“Pretty sure isn’t positive; DNA is.”

“You’re right.”

“Wait, how is this going to affect the attempted murder charge against her?”

“I have no idea.”

“I know you’re dealing with a lot, Nathan. But don’t lose sight of the fact that the girl tried to kill you, an action made even more heinous now that we know who was behind the plot! You wait until we get our hands on some evidence, just one shred of anything that can prove this is true. Jessica can join her sister and they can both rot in prison until they rot in hell!”

The room became quiet as both siblings contemplated the strange turn of events.When Sherri spoke again, her voice was soft, compassionate. “What are you going to do, Nate?”

“I don’t know.”

“I have a suggestion.”

“What? Go to the hospital and pull out her life-sustaining apparatus?”

“Ha! But that’s a way better idea than mine! Seriously, though, why don’t you go down to the island, get away for a couple days, walk on the beach, breathe in fresh air, clear your head?”

“That’s actually not a bad idea. These walls are closing in on me, that’s for sure. For a moment, I thought I’d lost my mind.”

“Anybody receiving all of this news at once would have crossed over the insanity line right now, or at least be walking on it.”

“Trust me, I’m there.”

“Would you be all right down there by yourself? I’m always up for a vacation and can talk to Randall and see if he can get away for a few days.”

“Maybe I’ll get your girl to meet us there, too.”

“Renee? She might want to join us. I could meet her new man. Do you want me to ask her?”

“I thought about her because . . . I don’t know . . . she chills me out, makes me laugh. And she really cares about our family. I forgot about her new dude, she’ll probably act different with him around.”

“There’s a reason she and I have been friends all these years. Never once did I think of you two together. Eww.”

When Nathan said nothing, Sherri changed the subject. “What are you thinking?”

“About Jessica and the baby.”

“I understand your thinking about the baby, but other than how long a sentence we can get that deceitful heifah, she shouldn’t cross your mind! I’m sorry. If I’m this upset, I can only imagine how you feel. Have you eaten?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“That’s okay. Your body still needs fuel. Go get something to eat—out, in a restaurant, with people around to hopefully take your mind off all this for just a minute. And then try and get some sleep.”

“That’s good advice, Sis. Thanks.”

“Keep me posted.”

“Will do.”

“I love you, Bro.”

“Love you, Sis.”

Jessica opened her eyes, blinking against the bright light just above her
. Is this heaven?
She tried moving her arm. It felt constrained. She tried to see what was holding it down but could move her body only so far. She squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them again. The longer her gaze, the more what she saw came into focus. The light was not a spiritual being, but a large plastic square covering fluorescent lighting, set in a low ceiling of acoustical tiles. No wonder
Sissy abandoned me. I can’t do anything right . . . even kill myself.
She turned her head slightly but only saw windows and walls.
Where am I?

The answer came within minutes, when a cheery young nurse walked up to her bed. “Good morning! Sleeping beauty is now awake! How are you feeling?”

“Bad,” she croaked.

“But you’re feeling. That’s a good sign. Let’s check a few vitals, shall we?” The nurse hummed as she went about her tasks, checking Jessica’s blood pressure and vital signs, and the room’s temperature.

“Where am I?”

“Emory University Hospital’s intensive care ward. With continued improvement, however, we should be able to move you to a regular room in a couple days.”

“How did I get here?”

“Ambulance is all I know. The doctor will be able to tell you more.”

“When will he be here?”

“
She
should be making her rounds within the hour. Let me get you some water. We’re feeding you intravenously, but your mouth is probably parched. Oh, now that you’re awake we can loosen these restraints.” The nurse quickly unfastened and removed the straps, then raised Jessica’s bed before pouring a cup of water from a nearby pitcher. “Here you go. Just small sips, okay?”

Jessica hurriedly followed one sip with another.

The nurse gently held her wrist. “Slowly, okay? You and the little one have been through quite a traumatic experience. So we’ve got to be very gentle with the body for the next few days.”

“Me and who?”

“Your baby.”

Jessica’s eyes widened.

“You didn’t know?” Jessica shook her head. The nurse covered her mouth. “Oops, I’m sorry. It’s on the chart. When the doctor tells you, act surprised and help me keep my job!”

She winked. Jessica blankly nodded.

The nurse refilled the small white cup. “Here’s a little more water. Remember to drink it slowly. The doctor will be in soon.”

Jessica set the water on a tray and rested her head against the pillow.
There must be a mistake. There’s no way I can be pregnant.
Almost subconsciously, she ran her hand across her taut, flat stomach.
Can I?
The possibility was so daunting, so overwhelming, that all Jessica could do was cry.

 

Two days later, Jessica was well enough to be moved to a private room. Two large bouquets of flowers greeted her. The nurse pulled the card and handed it to her. For a split second she thought of Nathan, and the chance he might have sent them. Then she remembered the solemn truth: Nathan was out of her life.

She pulled out the card:

“A secret admirer?” the floor nurse asked, fluffing Jessica’s pillows and straightening the covers.

“A good friend.”

“Smart girls marry friends like that,” she answered with a wink. “You need anything, just ring your call button.”

Jessica fell asleep. When she awoke, two hazel-green concerned eyes stared down at her. “Hello, Vincent.”

“Hello, sweetheart.” He placed a light kiss on her forehead. “I can’t tell you how good it is to see you alive. I’ve never been so worried about someone. Please don’t ever do that again.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I had a bad feeling when you sent me away. When you stopped answering my calls, I was beside myself.”

“How did you get into the apartment to save me?”

“I didn’t . . .” Vincent caught himself. “I didn’t take no for an answer, from anybody. I wouldn’t stop until I got to you.” He enveloped her hand in his. “It’s good to see your eyes.”

“You saved my life.” Her eyes shone with gratitude . . . and something indefinable.

“That’s because you
are
my life. It’s what I’ve been trying to get you to understand for months now. With me you won’t need to worry or depend on anyone else. I’ll be your family, your lover, your friend . . . whatever you need.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“You deserve someone much better. But no one will love you more. In fact, as soon as you’re well enough, I want to . . .” His words died as Jessica’s attention was obviously pulled to something behind him.

He turned as Jessica spoke. “Nathan? What are you doing here?”

“Yes.” Vincent’s was almost a fighting stance as he glared at his unwelcome rival walking through the door. “What are you doing here? That’s what we’d
both
like to know.”

T
he sand was warm, the water cool against his feet. The water lapped lazily, methodically, against the shore, ebbing and flowing to the same steady beat for thousands of years. Nathan focused on the contrasts, relished them, along with the hot Bahamas sun causing a thin sheen of sweat to cover his shirtless body. He reached the umbrella chair set under a small palm tree that pretended to give shade and took a drink of bottled water, allowing deep, full breaths of clean air to fill his lungs before slowly releasing.

Walking the beach, swimming, reading, eating, and sleeping. These activities had pretty much been his life since arriving at Sherri and Randall’s vacation home three days ago, three weeks since Jessica’s release from the hospital and one week to the day since he dropped all charges against her. Sherri had been livid. Nathan thought she might ban him from her island paradise. In the end, she agreed that it was his life and he had to do what felt right for him. There was no denying that Jessica’s actions were criminal, but all things considered, Nathan couldn’t have a clear conscience if he put a pregnant woman behind bars. The mental facility she’d been mandated to for six months was probably more of what she needed anyway. He’d been through a lot. Jessica had been through worse.

He missed her. That was the crazy part. When Nathan arrived at the hospital, he didn’t stay long. Vincent was clearly upset that he’d come, and Nathan needed to see Jessica alone. The next time he called before coming over. Jessica was sitting up and her color had returned. She was remorseful, quiet, with a fearful vulnerability filling her eyes, reminding him of the woman he first fell in love with. Feelings he’d buried rushed to the surface. He’d buried the feelings, but they hadn’t died. During his third and final visit, he’d almost shared this with her, until their conversation about the pregnancy and paternity tests, when she dropped the bomb that exploded his emotions all over the place. Her words rang in his ears to this day: “Vincent and I are getting married. The baby is his.”

Sherri had been ecstatic at hearing the news. He should have been shouting, too. Who knew that finding out she was not carrying his child would leave him feeling so cut off, deprived, as if something that belonged to him had been taken away? Only after her announcement did he realize that somewhere in the back of his mind he’d actually been entertaining the idea of getting back with her, of their raising the baby together. He’d never forget what she tried to do, but after reading her letter and the stuff from Mrs. Hurley, he’d definitely forgiven her. Through her sister’s manipulations, Jessica had felt killing him was the only choice. Though he and Sherri had decided to tell their mother about the breakup but not the reason, he could still hear what she’d say if she knew his thoughts:
You’re planning to marry the woman who tried to kill you? I don’t know who’s crazier, her or you.

The thought made him laugh out loud.

Everything happened for a reason, and in the end, he was glad that all of the stuff that had been done in darkness had come to light. His relationship with Jessica had taught him some valuable lessons. He’d taken the plunge and gotten engaged. Making a commitment and navigating an exclusive relationship hadn’t been as stifling as he’d envisioned; in fact, it had felt very good. So much so that now, that’s the only kind of connection that Nathan was looking for . . . a forever kind of relationship, with a forever kind of girl.

This thought in mind, Nathan enjoyed a quick swim before heading back to the house. Mouthwatering smells of the islands—fried conch, johnnycakes, crab salad, and a vegetable stew with a name he couldn’t pronounce—smacked him in the face as soon as he walked through the door, followed by a forever kind of girl.

“Good afternoon, Nathan! I hope you’re hungry!”

“Hello, Develia.” She stepped into his arms and Nathan wrapped them around her. He noticed her body fit perfectly with his. She felt soft, smelled good, too. He released her, and viewed the abundant display. “All this for me?”

“Absolutely. I hope you brought an appetite.”

“I did. Everything looks and smells amazing.”

Develia walked to the bar and brought back a colorful drink. “Especially for you, Mr. Carver.”

“Ah yes, a Goombay Smash! This brings back some of my fondest memories on this island.”

She raised her glass. “To making many more fond and wonderful memories in the Bahamas.”

“Indeed.”

They fixed their plates and on a veranda sat facing the ocean, enjoying the breeze and lively conversation. Nathan didn’t know if he’d ever felt so stress-free. After dessert there was a companionable silence, as they sipped tea and watched the birds fly.

“Develia.”

“Yes?”

“New Year’s Eve, the night we met, I asked a question, remember?”

“You asked many questions that night.”

“But there was only one you didn’t answer.” She raised a brow. “I asked how a lady as lovely as you could be alone at the club. Do you remember your answer?”

“No.” She erupted with the melodic chuckle that he loved. “But I have a feeling you’ll tell me.”

“I don’t remember it verbatim.” He rubbed his chin in thought. “I think you said it was too good a night to talk of anything sad, something like that.”

“That very well could have been what I said.”

“Well, I’m back on the island with nothing but time, and I’d like to hear your story.”

“I’ll tell you, but later on just remember, you asked.”

Nathan settled more comfortably into his chair. He could listen to Dev’s beautiful accent all night.

 

The wedding ceremony was simple but elegant, attended only by Jessica, Vincent, Vincent’s best friend, and the minister. The chapel was so beautiful that one could forget that the bustling neon-filled Vegas strip was right outside. Only May, yet the weather was balmy. By the end of June forecasters predicted Sin City might see three-digit degrees, a roasting usually reserved for August. Thankfully, the chapel’s temperature was just right for Jessica, looking positively radiant in a yellow lace Coco Chanel classic, with an empire waist and flare at the knee. Vincent’s handsome looks were shown off in a black Armani tux. They had only eyes for each other as their original vows were said.When Jessica said “I do” there were tears in her eyes, one cascading down her face. Before Vincent touched his new bride’s lips, he kissed the tear away.

Later that night, in their penthouse honeymoon suite, Jessica stared out the window that overlooked the strip. The day seemed surreal, as had her life ever since she’d met Nathan. He’d changed everything. Finding out the truth about Jacqueline had transformed her even more. And Vincent? There’s no way she could ever pay him back for his kindness: helping to nurse her back to health, promising to stay by her side during her mandatory six-month mental hospital stay, backing these words with a marriage proposal that he insisted happen before her admission next week, and being more excited to have a baby than any man she’d ever met. For these reasons, she became Mrs. Givens. She absolutely adored him. Love could come later.

“There you are.” He eased up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “My sweetheart and my baby,” he added, his voice low and sexy as he kissed her neck and patted her barely noticeable baby bump. “Enjoying the view?”

She turned and put her arms around his neck, looked him deep in the eyes. “I love this one much better.”

They kissed, temperatures rose. It was time to take this celebration into the bedroom. They undressed. Jessica excused herself to go to the restroom. She handled her business, then stepped to the sink and washed her hands.When toweling off, she caught her image in the bathroom’s mirrored wall. She eyed her profile in the mirror, viewing her sheer silk-covered stomach as she turned this way and that. Stepping closer she looked again. The baby bump wasn’t noticeable, but she knew that a human being grew inside her. This alone made her life worth living.

When she caught a final glimpse of herself in the mirror, a melancholy expression looked back. But she wouldn’t second-guess her decision. It was for the best.

“We’re pregnant,” she whispered, placing her hand on the part of her abdomen where she imagined the baby to be. “I’m having your baby, Nathan. Too bad you’ll never know.”