Cammie Healy - Jennifer Foor Page 0,36

didn’t think I’d get into trouble.”

“None of us did. That’s how life is. Cam, we’ve all had our share of mistakes. It’s how we learn right from wrong. This will soon pass, I promise.”

I let my head fall against my mother’s shoulder. She was right about being home. I felt safe. Even though I had a big secret I was keeping from everyone, I knew they’d always love me, which was more support than I’d gotten since leaving home. Being close to them helped make it easier. I just needed to make sure I still had a home after they found out I was with child.

My father didn’t speak to me at all that night. He went to bed angry; something we were taught never to do. After my chat with Callie and my mom, I was able to settle a bit more, but not completely. I kept thinking about the email from James, and how he’d all but told me I was a waste of his time.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled to his number. A week ago I would have been okay with sending him inappropriate photos or messages referring to what we were going to do later. Now, I stared at a blank screen wondering what in the hell I could say to him to get my point across. I needed answers, because I felt like I’d been living a lie for the past couple months I’d been involved with him.

Before I could change my mind I dialed his number. He answered on the second ring.

“Cammie, now is not a good time.”

“I need answers, James. You can’t pretend I don’t exist. You said you loved me. You started this. How could you lie to me? What did I ever do to deserve this?”

“Nothing. I’m sorry for giving you false hope.”

“You’re sorry? Are you serious? You’re not sorry. You’ve obviously done this before. You knew it wouldn’t end well. You said all the things I wanted to hear. You made me trust you.”

“Maybe next time you shouldn’t let your guard down. To be quite frank with you, manipulating you to do what I wanted was the easy part. I didn’t lie about everything. From the moment I saw you I knew I had to have a piece. Once I had it I wasn’t going to stop until someone made me, or you realized nothing would come from it.”

“But you promised me a life together.”

“Cammie, I said what you wanted to hear.” How could he treat me this way? What kind of person manipulates someone to get into their pants?

“You’re sick. You disgust me.”

“All the more reason to do the right thing. Terminate the pregnancy and I’ll make sure you can continue with your studies.”

“Are you blackmailing me? You can’t threaten me, James. I’ll find a way to keep going, with or without your help. Just know I won’t give up. I won’t let you take everything from me. You’ve ruined my life.”

“Call it what you want, I’m only stating the obvious. Do you think my wife is going to allow you to return to school? Our pictures have been leaked on campus. Someone posted pictures of us on a bulletin board. It’s only a matter of time before they reach the wrong hands. As soon as Stanford gets wind of our affair they’ll revoke your entrance. You did this to yourself.”

“What kind of demented person are you?”

“Abort the baby and all this goes away.”

“Screw you. I’m keeping the baby. You can threaten me all you want. I’m going to be a doctor, even if I have to start from the bottom again.”

When I hung up my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. Bile rose to my throat, and I felt as if I were going to pass out even though I was sitting down.

I’d been negligent, but never could I have assumed I was involved with such a bastard of a man. Somehow I’d find a way to seek retribution, and I’d do it while knowing no harm would come to my growing fetus.

This wasn’t the end. Not by a long shot.

Chapter 15

After all these years she still captivated me. As unfortunate as it was for me, Cammie Healy’s heart belonged to another man. Learning she was with child only made the blow harder to endure.

I’m no fool to the way the world works. I’ve seen firsthand how lust can be misconstrued with love. When I saw her again I knew what I’d