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"What do you h my silence a moood, Olivia This town feeds on nasty gossip There are real sharks in these waters, Olivia," he continued, his voice rising arning "Don't underestimate any of it Please consider both our families and"

"Belinda is pregnant, Nelson, pregnant with your child," I blurted

Even in the diht, I could see his face turn blood red He seemed unable to speak, unable to asp and then took a deep breath He shook his head

"No, she can't be She told me she was on the Pill She even showed "

"It's been confirht have taken one or two or even a dozen pills, but I' e would euphemistically call aof opportunity, and since she's been only with you these past few months, repeatedly with you as evidenced here," I continued, indicating the packet of papers and pictures and driving nail after nail into his weakened manly aritimate child"

"Oh no," he cried covering his face with his hands "This can't be true" His shoulders shuddered "What was I thinking? How could I be so weak"

I couldn't per er I had hoped to sit and enjoy his turmoil and squeeze his remorse dry, but the affection for him I carried in the secret places in my heart sounded a note of mercy

"There's no point in dwelling on what happened It's happened and it's done," I said softly

"What are you going to do about it?" he asked, dropping his hands frorave "If she's having an abortion, I'll pay for it, of course, and do anything"

"She's not having an abortion," I said "It's too late"

"It can't be that late, Olivia"

"I don't mean physically or medically too late, Nelson"

"What do you mean then?" he asked, almost in a whisper

"Belinda has an "We've always cleaned up herto a minor inconvenience"

"Yes, but using this as aher a lessonI mean"