I made it home from my morning clinical training at the hospital. Medical school is kicking my ass. It's worth it. I have to keep reminding myself. The relief I felt when I pulled my shoes off and plopped on the couch. Phew!

Charlotte's working a double tonight. I decided I'd make dinner and bring her a plate. Then come home to chill out before work. She was against it, but I felt fine. I planned to rest after anyway. That's our thing. We cook for each other.

I have a short evening shift tonight with hopes of being off by eleven.

Salmon and shrimp scampi, was the plan. Charlotte's favorite meal. I'm not a fan of pasta dishes right now. A small container of it for her and a loaded salad for myself. I'll be making a food run tonight at Darby's after work. A local diner, I've been craving their everything.

It's been three days since I told Nelson I was having a baby He called me twice today, I wasn't available. I'll call him back after I eat. If I talk to him now, it'll probably bring my energy down. I know exactly how he is and how he operates. He will react one of two ways. He'll either start arguing further, now that he had three days to think it over. Or he'll do this innocent act and try to wheel his way back into my life. He might even try both.

I went ahead and turned the stove off, transferred the food into a meal prep container. Then I got myself ready to head out.

I remember when Charlotte and I found this building, we were initially going to rent. We found out the owner of the building owned both of our units. So, we bought them at a reasonable price.

Both condos have two bedrooms, two baths. We tag-teamed the decor for both units. My unit has a black and white with a crystal plush feel. With fluffy white rugs, grey walls with marble flooring. My velvet rose tufted sofa matched the extensive artwork I had displayed on the walls. The dining room tied into the kitchen sort of. So I went with the same theme. A long glass table with crystal legs and all-white comfy high back cloth chairs. I love beautiful things and DIY projects.

My best friend, Charlottes condo, is more earthy and organic. With plants and African sculptures all around. Both are equally beautiful. You don't have to have a lot of money to have nice things, just get crafty.

I made my way over to the hospital to drop the food off and made it back to my condo in no time.

I showered then made my way to the kitchen. The loaded salad I made was calling my name. I grabbed it and placed it on the dining table. Before taking my seat, I started up my calming essential oils in the diffuser. I had them all over the place. I looked down at my wrist, cursing myself for forgetting to recharge my black tourmaline crystal bracelets. I never forget to recharge them, I guess pregnancy brain is a real thing.

I went ahead and placed my bracelets on the table where I already had my selenite charging crystals. Protect my energy at all cost.

Finally, I was able to scarf down my mountain top of a salad. I had everything you can think of on this bad boy.

Silence surrounded the room, leaving me with my thoughts. Something I found myself hating lately. I tried pushing them aside, but the inevitable kept coming back.

I guess its time to return Nelson's call. Sigh

I cleared the table, pushed the chair in, and placed the dishes in the sink. I grabbed my phone from the counter and made my over to the sofa.

I dialed his number. He picked up on the third ring.

"Hello." He answered dryly. I know how this conversation about to go.

"You called? I thought you said next week. Everything ok?" I rolled my eyes, trying not to sound irritated.

"Yeah." He sighed out of frustration. "I want a DNA test, when can we have that done? I've known people to do this while they're pregnant. My mom insisted."

"Are you kidding me?" I yelled, reaching my limit with him already.

"I'm not getting that done right now, that could put our baby at risk. I'll get one after I deliver." I Stated.

"You're just putting more doubt in my head by doing this. You're full of shit. And I don't know who you think you are to keep this from me for as long as you did. —You called and told me over the phone, and now I'm supposed to be all excited?" He chuckled dryly. "This is ridiculous."

I sighed roughly. "Look, this baby is coming. I don't know what else-"

"You are a piece of shit, and you will always be a piece of shit. —If I had a choice, I definitely wouldn't pick you as the mother of my child." He grittily cut me off, yelling. I laughed at him. I'm not about to let his words affect me. It's is what he does when he feels powerless. As I said before, he's weak.

"This is why I chose to tell you over the phone, your temper. I'll be in touch, but only to keep you updated on the progress, that's it."

He was silent for a moment.

"When is your next appointment?" He asked in a more respectful tone, still very upset.

"I'm not telling you, I said I'd update you on the progress."

"I have rights. I want to be there for my child. You're selfish —and trust me you don't want to withhold information from me." He threatened.

He's trying to upset me, don't let him phase you Dira.

"Look, my dad wants to have words with you first. You should give him a call. Bye." I pressed end abruptly, relieving myself of his toxic behavior. I'm over his threats. I hope he knows I wouldn't want him for my child's father either. I no longer want him in my life, but that's not an option.

He tried calling me again; I ignored him. I sent him a text message telling him to stop calling. With this pregnancy, he's allowing himself to turn into a mad man again. I find it funny he says he's in therapy now. He should get his money back. It's not working.

How in the hell did I get myself in this situation? Nelson has serious issues.

He will get his DNA test. I'll make sure of that.

The behavior doesn't stop with him either. His mother never cared much for me, but she never flat out said it. I could see through her passive-aggressive act. She'd go out of her way to mention cute, quirky things. Much like her son, they're both condescending and have narcissistic personalities.

Everything she says has to be right and think everything is about her. She does her best to keep up appearance. Almost everything that comes out of her mouth is a pointless lie. Then when confronted, she'll turn into a helpless victim. A lot like her son, narcissistic.

Nelson's dad was always genuinely nice. His parents are divorced; they were only married for five years. Nelson was the only reason why the married in the first place. He never truly loved her. He thought that would come later, and that may be a kid would change some of her ways.

I got up and grabbed my books. I needed to get my mind off of this, so studying it is. I have a patient case study. It's something I've grown accustomed to since being in medical school. These are the things I enjoy more than the gruesome studying, followed by the standard computerized testing.

I'm blessed to have a father who's a doctor and now the director. A lot of the stuff we're studying I already knew. I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. I wanted to be like my father. He taught me everything he knew. He would give me scenarios and quiz me on different public medical cases.

After briefly studying and researching, I decided to go on social media. I usually keep my notifications off because of the temptation to check them during the day. I scrolled through viewing some of the most recent. Nelson sent me a few. I should've blocked him a long time ago. In the past he'd post shady subliminal quotes about me just like now, he posted a few new ones.

NelsonCarter: I guess I'm stuck for life.

NelsonCarter: This ugly ass broad think she's cute, hanging up on me. Nobody wants yo' ass.

NelsonCarter: Am I the pappy? DNA doesn't lie. #funfacts

NelsonCarter: Nah she's beautiful as hell. Don't fall for the ones with long legs, a pretty face, and way too many baby edges. You can't trust them. Bitches ain't shit and hoes ain't loyal.

NelsonCarter: Please disregard my rant, I did a lot of fucked-up shit. Shit, I can't take back. #FML

I stopped reading after that one. People continued tagging me in his comment section.

Nelson does all these things because he has nothing to lose, he's an heir. His grandfather left him a bunch of royalties. He doesn't work, he parties and flaunts his money around.

Charlotte introduced me to him, thinking he was different. He played into what I liked to perfection. I'd say things, and he'd take note of it. Things were good in the beginning. We hung out and kept it light. The moment we got serious and official, he slowly showed his truth. He's very deceitful and has mastered it. Him hitting me I thought was the last straw, but after I broke up with him over a year ago, I went back for sex. I played into one of his guilt trips. I was already feeling alone and vulnerable. How stupid was I?

I went ahead and cleaned up my workspace I created in my living room. Something told me to check my phone. So I did. I went back to reread Nelson's post and noticed he deleted them. I knew he would.

While getting ready for work, I found myself looking in my floor length mirror. I lifted my shirt and found I had a little small bulge forming. I pulled out my phone and snapped a few.

It was time to head to work. I'll see Charlotte there. I can fill her in. I already couldn't wait to be off and make my stop to Darby's. I meant it when I said they have the best everything; from their shrimp platter to their crab cakes and the artichoke dip. Everything on the menu is delicious. Plus I haven't seen Ms. Wanda in a while anyway. She always shows me love every time I go.

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