Poison Pen

by Jacquelin Thomas

  She sat up in bed. “Is this your way of saying you want me to make popcorn for you?”

  “You don’t have to do that,” he told her. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a couple of candy bars. “We have these.”

  Bailey snuggled against Colton, entangling her legs with his. “I love moments like this,” she murmured. “We don’t have to do anything special—just laying here with you is enough.”

  They lay together, heartbeats thundered, and each breath was a sigh sifting into the quiet. The clock on the nightstand and the steady tick of seconds passing pounded out around them like a drumbeat.

  Chapter 11

  “Colton, thank you for coming.”

  “You made it sound more like an order,” he responded. “Harini, I meant what I said. What we had is over. Bailey and I are closer than ever. In fact, I plan on proposing to her.”

  “I hope you haven’t gone out and bought a ring yet.”

  “Why?”

  “There’s something I need to tell you,” Harini said, “that’s why I asked you to come over. I went to the doctor earlier.”

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Wow. You actually sound concerned about me.”

  “I do care about you as a person. What’s going on?”

  “Colton, I’m pregnant.”

  “Excuse me?”

  The pain in his expression wounded her to the core. He’s just in shock, she told herself. It’s going to be fine. Harini reached over to take his hand and press it to her stomach. “I’m going to have a baby… your baby.”

  “What am I supposed to do with this?” he asked, removing his hand.

  Harini swallowed hard. “I can’t go through this alone, Colton. I’ve lost three babies. Like my other pregnancies, this one is high-risk.”

  “How do I know you’re not lying to me?”

  She handed him a piece of paper. “I figured you’d want proof. It’s insulting that you think I’d lie about something like this. I’m not a desperate woman, Colton.”

  Looking at the information, he shook his head. “Bailey…”

  “She has nothing to do with this,” Harini stated. “You and I are the only two people that matter in this situation.”

  “So, you’re expecting me to just dump Bailey?”

  “What do you think is going to happen when she finds out that I’m carrying your child, Colton? There’s no way she’d stay with you and you know it.”

  “Did you get pregnant deliberately? He asked.

  Harini shook her head no. “If you think that, then you don’t know me at all. This pregnancy came as a surprise to me. Just to be clear, I don’t need you—I have more than enough money to raise this child on my own. My brother’s here as well. If we have to do it alone—we will.”

  “I just need a couple of days to process this,” Colton responded. “How far along are you?”

  “About eight weeks.”

  “You’ve had a lot more time to get used to the idea. Why didn’t you tell me when you suspected you were pregnant?”

  “I wasn’t sure, Colton. It was only confirmed this afternoon. To be honest, I was terrified to see my doctor. I was afraid she’d tell me that this pregnancy wasn’t a viable one. I didn’t want to lose another baby.”

  “So, what did she say?” Colton asked.

  “I need to follow her instructions to the letter pretty much. She’s going to be monitoring me closely. I need to avoid any and all stress.” Harini looked at him and said, “I want this child more than anything else in this world.”

  “I can’t believe this,” Colton murmured.

  “I’m sorry if this inconveniences you.”

  “Harini… I’m sorry if I’m not saying what you want to hear. This is just a lot for me to deal with right this moment. I need some time to process this.”

  “I understand.”

  “I thought you were on birth control.”

  “Nothing is a hundred percent, Colton. If you’re thinking that this is some kind of trap—you’re way off base. I don’t need you in my life or to raise this child. It would’ve been easy for me to just go to a sperm bank.”

  “Look, I’m not trying to upset you, Harini. I just need time to deal with all this.”

  “Fine,” she responded.

  “I have to go,” Colton said. “I’ll call you in a couple of days.”

  Harini saw him to the door, locking it when he left.

  “You’re still up to your old tricks.”

  She turned around, arms folded across her chest. “Pip, I’m not in the mood.”

  “You lied to Colton,” her brother accused. “You got pregnant on purpose despite the risks to your health.”

  “I want to be a mother.” Harini took a sip of her water. “It’s not like I’m getting any younger.”

  “You’re twenty-seven years old.”

  “I want to have children before I’m thirty.”

  “Your health…”

  “I don’t care,” she responded. “I’m having this child.”

  “Colton’s not going to leave Bailey for you.”

  “He won’t have to—she’s gonna leave him. I know that much about Bailey.”

  “You think it’s going to be that easy?”

  “Yeah, I do,” Harini said. “This baby will bring Colton and I closer together. You’ll see. We’re gonna be one big happy family. Of course, this means that you’re gonna have to leave.”

  Pip shrugged in nonchalance. “This is about to get interesting.”

  “How’s the job hunt going?” Bailey asked Colton as he stepped aside to let her enter his apartment.

  “I have couple of interviews lined up,” He responded. “I hope I get the job with at least one of them. Some people have already been let go. I don’t want to have to depend on a severance package.”

  “You’ll find one,” she assured him. “Just remember that you’re not alone in this, Colton.”

  He walked over to a window and stared out.

  Bailey followed him. “What’s wrong?” she asked, studying his face. “You look troubled about something else. What’s going on?”

  “I just have a lot on my mind.”

  “Anything you want to talk about?”

  Colton shook his head. “Not right now.”

  “If you’re not up to seeing a movie tonight, we can do it another time.”

  “I don’t deserve you,” Colton said as he pulled her closer to him.

  Bailey smiled. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “I will be.”

  “You know you can talk to me about anything.”

  “We’re going to miss the first part of the movie if we don’t leave now.”

  Bailey knew Colton well enough that he was really upset about something, but she didn’t press him for more information. When he was ready to tell her—he would.

  Harini was growing impatient. It was time to take matters into her own hands. Having just received her publishing contract—she had to talk to Bailey. She took a deep breath, then picked up her cell phone.

  “Hello.”

  “Bailey, it’s Harini. How are you?”

  “I’m fine. This is a nice surprise.”

  “The reason I’m calling is to see if I can come by your place this evening. There’s something I need to discuss with you. Something deeply personal.”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m not interrupting any plans with Colton, am I?”

  “No. He’s actually out of town and won’t be back until Thursday.”

  “Great,” Harini said. She was more than a little irritated that she hadn’t been told about Colton’s little trip. He owed her that much. Three days passed since she’d told him about her pregnancy. She hadn’t heard a word from him. “I’ll see you around sevenish.”

  “See you then.”

  The call ended.

  “Tonight, your life is going to change,” Harini whispered.

  “Have you heard from baby daddy?
”

  She turned to face her brother. “I wish you’d stop sneaking up on me. I hate it.”

  “You’re in a mood.”

  “It’s my hormones,” Harini responded.

  “Why did you do it?” Pip asked. “You know what the doctor told you the last time.”

  “I want a baby.”

  “I know that, sis. But your doctor warned you that you’re more likely to experience preterm labor since you delivered premature babies in the last three pregnancies. She even told you the earlier a previous premature birth, it increases the chances that the next birth could come as early or even earlier.”

  “I’m not going to focus on the negative. I’m only sending positive vibes to this baby.”

  “I’m worried for you. I know how much you want to be a mother. I also know that there’s something wrong that causes you to go into preterm labor. Placental abruption—that’s what your doctor called it.”

  “Pip, I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” Harini said. “I’m pregnant and I want to focus on the joy of this wonderful miracle. I never thought I’d get another chance. I’m happy. So happy.”

  He smiled. “Then I’m thrilled for you, my dear sister.”

  “You’re going to be an uncle. I already know you’re going to be so protective of this child. I’m going to write as much as I can before this little angel comes. When he or she gets here—I want to focus on him or her.” Harini broke into a grin. “Maybe I’ll write some children’s books. What do you think, Pip?”

  “I think that’s a great idea, sis.”

  Harini glimpsed a certain sadness in her brother’s eyes. “It’s gonna be okay. We’re gonna be fine. I have such a good feeling; a peace about everything.”

  Chapter 12

  Bailey cleaned up her apartment, hoping that Harini wouldn’t notice the cheap particle board bookshelves, the used sofa she’d found at a flea market, and the worn carpeting. “Why should I care what she thinks? Harini didn’t always have money,” Bailey said to herself.

  Her guest arrived fifteen minutes earlier than expected.

  “Harini… hey.”

  “Thank you for seeing me.” Harini’s eyes traveled around the tiny apartment, but she didn’t comment.

  Bailey gestured toward the sofa. “We can sit over here and talk.”

  As soon as they were seated, Harini said, “I have some news I want to share with you. The first is that I just sold another book to Snyder and James. It’s one they are really excited about it.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Bailey said, smiling. “I’m so happy for you. We’re going to have to celebrate.”

  “I’m very excited.”

  “These are the moments I’m looking forward to, Harini. I’ve done the final edits to my manuscript. I’m ready to start submitting it to publishers.”

  “That’s another reason why I needed to talk to you.”

  “What is it?” Bailey wondered if Harini was about to suggest that she submit to her publisher. She could barely contain her excitement.

  “I’ve done a lot of thinking about your story. The thing is that it’s very similar to the book I have coming out.”

  Bailey stiffened. “What do you mean it’s similar? You’ve never mentioned this before,” she said.

  “The point is that I’m telling you now.” Harini stated without emotion. “I didn’t want to discourage you after all the work you’ve done, but the more I think about it—you should come up with another story. Now, I’m not saying you can’t put it out at some point…”

  A knife twisted in Bailey’s gut while she struggled to keep her mouth from gaping.

  “How could you do this to me?” she demanded after finally finding her voice. “I t-thought you were my friend,” Bailey said. “I can’t believe I was that stupid.”

  Harini’s eyes filled with an inexpressible sorrow. “Bailey,” she whispered, “you’ve never been like the others. You’ve been almost—well, almost like a sister to me. It’s important that you understand something. I didn’t steal your story. No idea is unique, original, or owned by another person. It is not stealing to take an idea and rework it into your own.” She spoke as if speaking to a child. “Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, and do NOT give up an idea because somebody tells you it's similar to another author.”

  “It would be different if you hadn’t seen my synopsis, Harini. You intentionally did this to me. I trusted you and you betrayed me.”

  “You can submit your story to publishers, Bailey. Mine will come out first, however. It’s already been assigned a pub date.”

  “Kaile was right about you.” Bailey prided herself on being able to read people, but she’d missed one important fact—at the end of the day, people were only out for themselves.

  Harini shrugged in nonchalance. “I’m a New York Times Bestseller. You… well, you’re not even published. If it makes you feel better, I’ll write you a check for two thousand dollars.

  I’m sure you can come up with another idea for your book.” She smiled. “I have faith in you.”

  “I don’t want your money,” Bailey snapped. “Do you really think offering me cash is going to make this right between us?” Tears prickled behind her eyes, and she squeezed her lids tight. She refused to let Harini see her cry.

  “I really hope you aren’t thinking of doing something stupid like making this public,” Harini said. “But even if you do, no one will believe you anyway. You’re a nobody.”

  Bailey sent her a sharp glare. “You’re a horrible person.”

  “I understand why you’d think that.” Harini took a sip of water. “Since we’re being honest with one another, there’s something else you need to know.”

  “What?”

  “Colton and I… we’ve been sleeping together. We didn’t mean for it to happen, but he and I… we were drawn to one another.”

  Hands clenched into fists, Bailey rose to her feet.

  “I hope you don’t intend on putting your hands on me,” Harini said calmly. “Because I’ll have you arrested for hitting a pregnant woman.”

  “You’re evil and a liar,” Bailey declared. “I don’t believe a word you said about Colton. He would never hurt me like this.”

  “That’s your first mistake… believing that any man won’t hurt you. You think he really loves you? Colton cares for you, but love… I don’t think so.”

  Unshed tears prickled painfully. The book of her heart; someone she loved dearly, could be taken away from her and there wasn’t a thing Bailey could do about it, but she was not about to let Harini in on her realization. “I promise that you’ll answer for this one day.”

  “Bailey let’s be mature about this.” Harini’s bland tone tried unsuccessfully to hide a touch of sarcasm. “If you’re thinking of telling this little tale of yours—I’ll make it known that you’re angry with me because I took your man. People will see you as a woman scorned.”

  Fierce anger welled up in Bailey. “You’re a miserable excuse for a human being. I don’t know if you’re lying about being pregnant—either way, it’s the only reason I haven’t punched you in the face.”

  “So much for maturity…”

  Bailey picked up Harini’s expensive designer purse and tossed it in the direction of the door. “Get out of here now.”

  Harini stood up. “I wish you much success with your writing.”

  Bailey uttered a string of profanity laced with threats of physical harm.

  “Look…” Harini began.

  “Without thinking, Bailey slapped Harini with the full force of her hand. “I don’t want to hear another word you have to say.”

  Water glazed her eyes. “Owwww…” Harini gently touched her burning cheek.

  “Say one word and I’ll hit you again,” Bailey warned. “Now get out of my apartment before I end up going to jail.”

  Harini brushed past her, walking briskly to the door.

  Bailey slammed it close, then focused on calming herself.
>
  In.

  Out.

  Just keep breathing in and out, she told herself over and over.

  Don’t think about anything but breathing.

  Black dots danced in front of Bailey’s eyes, her breathing so shallow she didn’t think any oxygen was reaching her brain. She shifted her head a bit. “Breathe…” she whispered. “Breathe…”

  She navigated over to the desk and tossed her manuscript into the trash.

  Tears ran down her face. She couldn’t fathom someone like Harini do this to her. Why would she do it? She was a renowned author. She was a fantastic writer. Why wasn’t this enough for her?

  Why am I letting her get way with this?

  Sure, she could talk to an attorney, but there was really no use. The truth was that it wasn’t possible under the law to copyright or protect an idea or title. What hurt Bailey was that Harini had stolen her idea, had most likely executed it better, and was able to sell it to her publisher. On top of that, Harini had also taken her man. That betrayal devastated Bailey to her core—that Colton had a large part in breaking her heart.

  Bailey navigated to her bathroom and washed her face.

  She wanted blood, but Bailey could not bring herself to hit a pregnant woman. Although Harini could’ve been lying—she didn’t want to take the chance. Instead, she had allowed that snake to victimize her and worst, get away with it.

  How could I be so stupid? I thought we were building a friendship… how Harini must have laughed at me. I must have looked so desperate to her.

  Bailey admired Harini; considered her a literary role model, but the woman used her. She had also taught her a valuable lesson. Most people only pretended to be genuine, but they weren’t. Colton’s actions had only reinforced that truth.

  “Bailey Hargrove didn’t deserve this,” Pip stated. “None of it.”

  “You’re my brother. I would think that you’d be happy for me. I have a new book that’s going to redeem me; I have a baby on the way, and I have someone to share my life with… he’s gorgeous, too.”

  “Colton doesn’t love you.”

  “He’s the father of my child,” Harini responded. “He’ll come to love me.”