"Pre-pre-pregnant!?" The sound of my shocked squeak felt as if someone else was in my place.
The doctor just looked straight into my eyes with a smile on his pink lips.

"Yes, Annie."

"No!" I shook my head frantically and fell back down on the chair.

"Careful!" He cried before rushing from behind his desk, stopping by my side. "Take it slow. Calm down and-"

"I can't be. I...I..."

Luke perched himself on the desk. He said nothing for about two minutes, maybe giving me some time to process the news.
Pregnancy. How? I had taken the emergency pills. But...that had been almost three days after the Zack ordeal.
No, I couldn't be pregnant with his child.
How would I face Jack when the time came?

Luke sighed out loud, drawing my attention to him.
"What are you worried about? You can afford a baby. You can protect it and I'm sure you will make a wonderful mom."

I could only stare up at him, which may have looked stupid.

He was trying to make me feel better, but my soul wanted to rip apart at the slight thought of having any connection to Zack.
He was the monster and villain in my life. A man who was supposed to be Jack's great support had ended up being his enemy. And, my enemy.

The heat washing beneath my face left me feeling further drained.

"You need to rest. Your body has been overworked in the past weeks. If this continues, you and the growing fetus may be in danger."

"No!" I murmured lowering my gaze to his chest, slowly zoning out of reality.
"I cannot be pregnant. I shouldn't be."

"Go home, Annie. I'll visit when I'm off of work," Luke promised putting on an even friendlier smile.
For the past ten weeks, he had been the most trustworthy person with my health. Always available whenever I needed a doctor, and showed up whenever I needed a friend.

I had to create some distance between Paul and me out of fear of leading him on unknowingly. But he was, all the same, the only other person other than Jack, that I could trust with my life.

****************
****************

A pair of lifeless brown eyes stared back at me. The bags under them told a tale of restlessness and fatigue.
I was tired. Hurting. And hopeless.
My mind no longer functioned as it should have, especially after finding out I was pregnant.
The worst part of it was knowing that the child could be either Jack's or Zack's.

If it was Jack's, then welcoming him home would be the most joyous event. But if it was Zack's, I was not sure I would be able to face him when the time came.
Termination was not an option.
I valued innocent life just as I valued Jack.
Even if it turned out to be Zack's, the baby would be innocent.
After all, whatever happened that night was partially my fault.

I should have felt the difference.
I should have.

But no amount of blaming could reverse what had happened. I had to move on regardless and be strong for myself.

I ran my hand over my flat stomach, as if my palm would scan the fetus and tell me who its father was.
But only then did the whole of reality sink in. I would soon be a...mom.
A painful smile crossed my lips, shining some life on my gloomy face. But it faded just as fast as it had shown up.

"I'll try to accept you, baby. I wasn't ready for this, so please forgive my previous attitude," I whispered gazing down at my tummy.
At that moment, some warmth dripped from my heart and fell into my abdomen.
There was life. I, was creating life.

A sudden knock on my door hauled me out of my little world.
"Miss Annie? Dr Luke has arrived," Gena announced respectfully.
She was one of Jack's assassins, now acting as my protector and head of the servants in the mansion as Jack had instructed before.

She always wore a serious face. Always had her fine red-dyed hair in a sleek ponytail and rarely smiled.
When in public, she, alongside four other assassins was always protecting me from the shadows, providing me haven in such a troubled existence.

"Coming!" I yelled, before rushing back to the bed to grab myself the thick blue robe lying there.

**********************

"Luke?" I called walking in the lounge area.

His head turned in my direction, followed by his getting off of the couch.
"Annie."

Luke was at least five foot eleven, ashy brown hair he always kept in a wolf cut, a pair of captivating emerald eyes, a well-defined jaw that gave him an attractive appearance, and a friendly smile that helped his patients through worse times.
But no man, not even his dashing self, could compare to my Jack.
So I never paid any extra attention to him.
He was simply my doctor, end of story.

"Look what I brought you," he said, his eyes falling to the space next to his feet.

Feeling a bit curious, I went closer.
And inside a bar-cage, sat the most adorable brown toy poodle.
The second our eyes met, it was love at first sight. My heart immediately ached to hold it in my arms.

"You've been talking about getting a dog, and this happened to be rescued by my friend. The second I saw it, I thought of your furry craving."
I overlooked his humor, and just smiled grateful.

"What would I do without you, dear doctor?"

"Don't worry, it's been taken care of all round. You only need to bond with it. The experience will help you, and its company is far better than any human."

I squatted to have a better look.
"It's so cute."

"I knew you would love it."

"Thanks, doc, I owe you for this one," I said getting up.

Luke chuckled meeting my eyes.
"Repay the favor by taking more care of yourself. I've handed Gena your new meal plan, make sure to do and eat whatever she says."

I nodded happily.
"I sure will Doc."

Luke returned the smile, before bidding me a goodbye. "I'm leaving now. Have a great night, both of you," he said, darting the dog a light glance.

"Let me wal-"

Luke chuckled.
"No, no. I know my way out. Just, enjoy your new little friend."

"Mh!" I gave a lovely nod, then watched him walk leave the lounge. A servant was waiting for him in the hallway to escort him out.
Once out of sight, I squatted hurriedly, almost snapping my knees