His Regret: I Am Untouchable Now

CHAPTER NINE

QUINN

My fingers wrapped around the phone, processing Joe’s words.

My heart skipped. Because what Joe was implying was not impossible. It was something I hadn’t allowed myself to consider.

I didn’t answer him immediately because the question caught me off guard and unsettled me.

I controlled and tried to steady my breath for a few seconds on the phone; I was afraid my breath would give me out.

“Yes, I think she is pregnant,” I finally said, “what you are insinuating cannot be possible, or is it?”

I was trying to convince both Joe and myself. It had to be real; the divorce urgency, Seraphina’s confidence and Jasper’s actions.

Yet, another part of me betrayed my conviction. something still pointed to a possible loophole. The same feeling I got when I accepted Jasper.

“Well, I am afraid it is,” he whispered, “the details and the dots are not connecting.”

I pushed my legs forward as I pushed the bedroom door open and sat slowly at the edge of the bed. Not because I was tired, but because standing suddenly felt unsafe.

“Joe, explain the details you found.”

I moved to the window, pulling the curtain aside to get a view of the balcony. It was a small plantation with enough green leaves and fronds that danced gently to the cool breeze.

I wished I could be just one of the fronds, calm and undisturbed.

“The hospital she claimed she visited,” Joe said, “there is no record of her name there. I had to dig into internal logs just to find something close, none.”

I listened attentively and allowed him to explain without interruption. The least detail was important.

“She visited the hospital, fine. But it was not for what she claimed she went for.”

I exhaled. “What was it for?”

“Routine check, nothing that supports her timeline or confirms that she is carrying anything.”

I held the curtains, leaning closely to the windows this time.

“This doesn’t prove she is lying,” I said, though my voice lacked the certainty it portrayed.

“Well, I think it points to the fact that something is not right. Think about it. You have known Seraphina for a long time.”

Joe was right after all. Sometimes, I wondered how he could understand everything that goes on in my life, even more than me.

That was the reason I paused communication with him for the three years I was married to Jasper. Joe had a way of revealing things, and most times, he was always right.

I needed peace and joy in my marriage. And because truth had a way of ruining the illusion I wanted to live in, I told Joe I needed space.

He obliged but asked that I reach out anytime there was a problem.

And now, the guilty conscience that I once pushed him away popped up at interval.

“She is reportedly 6 weeks away. Doesn’t that match the records with you?” I asked.

“Not at all, the timeline doesn’t,” he lowered his voice, “Quinn, whose child is she claiming to carry?”

At that juncture, I didn’t want to continue with the conversation. My head ached badly; the more I heard it, the more I got triggered.

“Joe,” I called softly, “I just moved into my new apartment today, I am tidying things, and I am so stressed. I will appreciate it if we continue this next time.”

He didn’t argue, typical of him. We bade each other goodbye, and the line went dead.

Many times, I was grateful for the gift of him in my life. And the fact that I nearly pushed him away to be with a scumbag, I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if he had left for good.

I still remember how we met. I didn’t just meet him, I kept running into him. In different places and different times, somehow, he was always there.

It felt like a coincidence at first, then a connection. Yet, he never overstepped his boundaries and understood even my silence.

And even now, he remained one of the people I could never question, though I never understood why.

But one thing about Joe, he never spoke of his family.

I moved from the window where I stood lost in thoughts to bed once again, my fingers brushing the surface as my thoughts deepened.

Seraphina was never reckless; everything she did had intent and was always well planned.

Even as children, she didn’t just take my things but would make sure I lost them first.

My lips pressed together as I thought of the next line of action. And then, I decided to call the doctor of the hospital Joe traced her to.

I quickly checked him up on the internet and got his contact. I also found out that it was the same hospital that Jasper’s father built and donated a ward to.

I called, and he picked up at the second ring.

“Hello, doctor,” I greeted. “This is Mrs. Finn.”

I used the name because he would easily oblige to whatever I wanted.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Nice to have you on the phone.”

“Thank you,” I added calmly. “I want to find out something from you, Sir.”

“Go ahead.”

“Do you know one Miss. Seraphina Jason, she is supposed to be one of your patients.”

“Oh yes, I know her, Ma’am.”

That was it, the information I needed. My heart leapt.

“Okay. She had come for a pregnancy test at your hospital. Is she positive?”

He replied almost immediately. “She didn’t come here for a pregnancy test, but her routine check-up.”

My jaw dropped, and I loosened my grip on the phone. So Joe was right. What games was she up to?

“Okay, thank you very much, Dr. Have a nice day.”

I didn’t wait for his response before I hung up.

A faint cold settled in my chest. One thing was sure. Jasper was not one to get pushed; he could only be convinced.

Whatever Seraphina was up to, it was clear it wasn’t just about Jasper or the child, but strategy, and she had made her move.

Just then, a soft knock echoed on the door, and my entire body stilled instantly. No one knew my new place.

“Open up, it's me.”

I recognized that voice instantly.

I didn’t know which was more dangerous, opening the door or pretending I wasn’t inside.