Chapter 28

DELILAH

Today has been amazing, but I'm ready to go home and put my feet up. Wells has promised me a foot rub even God himself couldn't turn down, and I can't help but wonder if it will end like the last massage he gave me…

I wouldn't mind an orgasm to finish the day off, honestly. This pregnancy has my hormones amped up, I swear I could come ten times a day and still be horny.

We leave the restaurant and Wells holds open the car door for me; I giggle at his chivalry. He slides in behind the wheel and pulls away from the curb.

"Can we stop at the Walgreens, close to the house? I had my prenatals called in there," I ask, not wanting to forget them since I don't have any left.

"Of course. Do you want me to run in for them so you can stay in the car?"

"No. I have to go in because I'm new and they need to see my insurance and all that," I tell him, wishing I could take him up on his offer. The thought of staying in the car, avoiding the whole ordeal, is so tempting.

"What insurance do you have?" he asks, looking at me briefly before his eyes go back to the road.

"Blue Shield. I got it through the Marketplace." The process was a nightmare, but at least I have something. I still feel a pang of anxiety every time I think about the whole ordeal of attaining it.

"What are you going to do about the baby?"

"Umm, I don't know," I answer honestly. "The lady I spoke to about Marketplace said the baby can't be on the Blue Shield, so I have to look around or do state assistance."

The thought of more paperwork, more phone calls, more waiting on hold—it's exhausting just thinking about it.

"If you're open to it, I can add Little Boba to my coverage?" His offer is like a lifeline.

"That's fine." I blow out a breath, relieved that he's taking this task off my plate. Insurance is like speaking alien to me, so I'm glad I don't have to deal with it.

"You can tell me how much it is and we can split it," I add, not wanting to seem ungrateful, but also feeling the need to share the financial burden I know insurance is.

"No need. The company covers it one hundred percent, so we are good."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah, Little Doe, I'm sure." The nickname sends warmth spreading through my chest and I smile. In this moment, I feel seen, supported.

We pull into the Walgreens parking lot, the big red sign glowing in the night air. Pushing the door open, I slowly climb out of the car.

"Be right back."

I head into the store and make my way straight to the pharmacy. The fluorescent lights are harsh, making me squint. I'm determined to be in and out so I can change into my comfy clothes and lie down. The idea of sinking into my bed sounds like heaven right now.

Luckily, there's no line. I step right up to the window, give them my name and insurance card, and within minutes, I have my vitamins.

As I head out of the store, I'm passing the cosmetics section when I'm stopped by none other than my mother. Of all the people I could run into, why her?

Fuck me.

"Hello, Delilah. You've been ignoring me." She smiles, and the sight gives me chills. It's that cold, calculated smile that always makes me feel small.

I want to scream, to ask her why she's doing this—to Jonas, to me. I just found out about him and now she's trying to take him away. Why does she always have to make her presence known by wielding her manipulative claws and trying to tear everything apart? I want to shake her and make her understand the mess she's caused, the pain she's inflicted. But I know that won't get me anywhere.

"I have." I don't see the point of lying. She'd see right through it, anyway.

"What are you doing in Chicago?" She crosses her arms, looking at me expectantly. Her tone is sharp, judgmental. Typical Claudia. She always knew how to make a simple question feel like an interrogation.

"You'll find out sooner or later, so might as well get this out of the way. I moved here."

"When?" she shrieks.

"Christ, Claudia, keep it down. I've only been here a couple of days." I look around, hoping no one is paying too much attention to our escalating exchange. The last thing I need is a scene in the middle of the store.

"Why?" Her face reddens, and I can almost see the steam coming from her ears. It's almost satisfying to see her so riled up.

"Because Rhonda asked me to. Because Derek got a job here and wanted me to come with him. Because I fucking can. Because I want to annoy you. Take your pick." My voice is steady, but inside, I'm trembling. I don't owe her an explanation, yet here I am, giving her one.

Claudia purses her lips, and her eyes narrow. "So you find out you have a daddy and all of a sudden you decide what? To play house? They're going to grow tired of you, Delilah. A grown woman they all just found out about? You're a novelty, nothing more. Eventually, you will lose your shine."

Her words sting, but they also reveal her true nature—a woman who will never take responsibility, who will always push the blame onto others. She's never been able to see beyond her own reflection, her own desires.

I clench my fists, fighting back the urge to demand answers. I want to ask her why she felt the need to destroy Jonas' life, to frame him with false accusations just to cover her own failures. Why did she have to try and take away my newfound family, my father, the connection I've just started to embrace? Why is she so evil, so manipulative?

Instead, I hold it together and let my cold, detached tone do the talking.

"Someone's feeling bitter. Jealous that you got kicked to the curb, and I got invited across the country? Tell me, Claudia, who is the novelty now?"

Her eyes flash with anger. She's always hated when I challenge her. "Are they going to take care of you and the little bastard you created?"

Rage courses through me at the word she chose to use for my unborn child. But she's angry, she always uses her words to hit hard and low. I can't let her see how much it affects me. I need to just let it slide off my back.

Breathe, Delilah, breathe. She doesn't deserve to see you break.

"The father is here actually, so not really a bastard." I watch her reaction carefully, knowing this next part will hit her like a freight train.

"Who?" Her voice is sharp, demanding, and I can see the wheels turning in her head.

"Wells. So since I'm carrying the next Covington heir, I guess the novelty won't ever wear off." A Cheshire-like smile spreads across my lips as Claudia pales. The shock on her face is priceless, and I savor the moment.

"That's disgusting," she hisses, her voice dripping with contempt.

"Well, Mother. You kept secrets. Not like I knew he was my uncle when I was fucking him." The words taste bitter on my tongue, but it feels good to throw it back in her face.

"So what, Rhonda and Roy, are supporting you now? Lord knows you have no connections here."

The fact that she evaded the part where she is semi to blame for the fact that I banged a man who later turned out to be my step-uncle doesn't escape me. Once again Claudia can never accept responsibility for her actions.

"They are for now. Until I can go back to dancing." I smile, knowing that will piss her off. I can practically feel her blood boiling from here.

Her face turns the same shade as a cherry. "You can't."

"I can. I hear Bigfoot is a nice and popping place." I relish the way her face contorts with rage. This is a small victory, but it's mine.

"You'll ruin me, you little bitch." Her eyes flash with a venomous anger I've known all too well.

I arch an eyebrow, trying to keep my voice steady despite the rage simmering beneath. "That's the plan."

I feel a sense of power I've never felt before.

"Why?"

"Because I hate you," I spit, the words sliding easily off my tongue. "And for some reason, I clung to the idea that you'd be a mother, eventually. But now? I'm a mother and I could never be like you. So you're simply irrelevant to me now."

She stumbles backward, leaning against the shelf behind her. "How can I stop you? I'll do anything. But I want you to never tell anyone who you belong to. We're strangers passing on the street." Her tone is pleading and I shake my head.

I can't help the small, satisfied smile that curves my lips.

"Tell the truth about Jonas. We both know he didn't lay a hand on you."

"I can't," she whispers, looking around to see who's near. "It's a crime to file a false police report."

"Well, you can do that or I'll make sure all your lady friends know that your daughter is not only a stripper but carrying her uncle's baby."

Her face flushes with rage and fear, and she glares at me. "You're evil, Delilah. I always knew you'd be my ruin."

"Well, I learned from the best." I snicker, casting her a victorious glare. "I learned it all from you." My voice is cold, the hatred clear in every word. "But there's one thing… tell me: why did you lie and frame Jonas? You could have just left Florida and acted like nothing ever happened. Why go to the lengths to file a report and, from the sounds of things, beat yourself up?"

Her eyes flicker with a dark, twisted satisfaction. "I won't be a bride left at the altar. It would tarnish my reputation. But being a victim of domestic abuse and escaping before we were tied together in matrimony… I'm a survivor."

My stomach churns at her callousness. "You're sick." I curl my lip in disgust. "I expect to hear about dropped charges in the next few days or I'm going to show up at every country club and high society function within a twenty-mile radius and shout from the rooftops: I'm a stripper and your daughter."

Before she can say anything else, I storm past her. As I walk away, I take one last glance at her, pity and disdain settling over me. She's a lost cause, a twisted soul trapped in her own web of lies and manipulation. I refuse to let her drag me down any further. She'll tell the truth or I'll tell mine. The cards are in her hands.

I get to the car where Wells is patiently waiting still, just scrolling on his phone.

As I slide into the passenger seat, I can't shake the image of Claudia's pale face, the desperation in her eyes. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

"Everything okay?" he asks, putting his phone away, giving me his full attention. His eyes are so full of understanding and care.

"Yeah. Getting the meds was the easy part. Running into my mother… not so much."

"What!" he hollers, his voice rising in alarm. "Did she hurt you? Did she say anything?"

I shake my head, though I know it won't fully ease the worry written all over his face.

"Oh, she said plenty. I'm used to dealing with her. So while I'm sure I should have hurt feelings, I don't. However, I believe she will recant her story about Jonas hurting her and the charges should be dropped soon."

His brow furrows, confusion flickering in his eyes. "How?"

A small, satisfied smirk tugs at my lips as I recount the confrontation.

"I threatened the one thing she can't stand to lose: her reputation. Told her I was going to go door to door pretty much and tell everyone in her bougie social circle I was her kid. Don't think a stripper, carrying her uncle's baby will go over too well with them."

"Step-uncle," he growls.

I shrug, trying to suppress the laugh that bubbles up.

"Either way. You guys should have called me in earlier. You needed a master in Claudia to fix this. I will accept an award of one-foot rub every night until this baby comes out."

His expression shifts from worry to amusement. "Deal." He winks, and for a moment, the tension eases from my shoulders. "Now, let's get you home. I have feet to rub and a brother to call to tell the good news."

The confrontation with Claudia, while stressful, has given me a sense of control and closure. I'm more than capable of handling her, and I'm ready to move forward with my life. I glance at Wells, feeling a surge of gratitude. His support, his presence. It's everything I need right now.

When we pull onto the street, I turn to Wells, my heart swelling with affection. "Thanks for being here," I say softly.

He glances at me with a tender, reassuring smile that makes everything feel okay. "Always. Now, let's get inside and get you comfortable. You deserve it."