in the way of you, Jake, and the baby.” I stop as I watch her head nod triumphantly. “I just came here to ask about my birth certificate. I guess by you always knowing you were my aunt and not my mother, that gave you carte blanche to act the way you did towards me. But just so you know, if you decide to bring up a child, you are its mother irrespective of who the biological parent is. You obviously didn’t give a shit about me, but I hope for the sake of that baby,” I say pointing to her stomach, “you raise it much better than you did me.”
She actually has the audacity to smirk. “Oh, I will. Jake and I will. He or she won’t want for anything. It is our child after all.” She rubs her belly again, making me feel sick.
I have to go. If I stay any longer, I may hit her. Despite the urge to do just that, she has an innocent child growing inside of her.
Just as I turn to leave, I remember what Jake said last night. “If you’re so convinced this is Jake’s baby, then why not grant him the paternity test?”
She shrugs one shoulder, not giving a shit. “I shouldn’t have to prove myself to anyone. I know who I slept with, therefore I know this is Jake’s baby. I don’t need to convince myself when Jake was the only person I slept with at the time.”
“I don’t believe you.” She snaps her head up in horror. “Prove us all wrong. If the baby is definitely Jake’s then you have nothing to worry about, do you?”
Her lips thin in a hard line. “I think you’ve outstayed your welcome.”
I nod my head. “Yes. This is one thing we can definitely agree on.” I take my first steps away from the frosty bitch. “I’ll see myself out.”
10
Growling under my breath, I practically frog-march back to my car. I’m so high on adrenaline and so focused that I almost fail to realize that there’s another car a few houses up the road from me. I don’t know what finally gets me to look that way, but it was probably the smoke billowing from my ears. I stop by my car, squinting to see better. There’s a man sitting in the driver’s seat, and I can almost make out a face staring at me through his wing mirror. He has one arm hanging out of the window holding a cigarette.
“Son of a fucking bitch,” I curse, my anger reaching new levels.
Knowing it is a really bad idea but not caring at this point, I square my shoulders and march towards the car. By the time I’m within around fifteen feet, the guy suddenly starts the car and drives off, his tires screeching in his wake. He may have escaped, but I knew damn well who it was.
Phil Spector.
“The fucker’s following me now!” I shriek to absolutely no one.
Shaking with anger, I take my phone out and immediately call Michael. He answers after two rings.
“Ana, is everything okay?”
I sigh, rubbing my forehead. “Yes, and no. I paid my mum a visit and just left, but guess who was spying on me in a car a few houses down?”
“That fucker, Spector?”
“The one and only.”
“Shit … did you get his license plate number?”
Cursing myself for not thinking of that, I reply, “No, sorry. I guess I’m not thinking straight right about now.”
And I’m not. I’ve just had this huge blow of news from my mum, so no wonder my head’s not with it.
“You don’t have to apologize. Stay there, and I’ll come get you.”
“No,” I reply quickly. “There’s no need. I’m not in any danger, and I have my car here anyway. I’ll be fine. I promise. I just got angry when I saw him, and you were the first person I could think of to call.”
“And I’m glad I was. Are you sure I can’t come to you? Even if it’s to follow you back to work. I take it that’s where you’re heading?”
“Yes, but I’m fine. I promise.”
He seems hesitant when he replies, “Okay, but I’ll be waiting for when you get back.”
“Okay, see you soon.”
Once we hang up, I get straight into my car and lock the door, banging my fist against my steering wheel in anger. Spector may not be here, but the threat of him still hangs in the air making me feel insecure. I’m angry at him for that. Doesn’t