A Shadow of Doubt

The crowd went wild.

Surprise flickered across Sarah's face, quickly replaced by sheer elation.

She must have thought I was about to cave in and pay her off.

However, I dropped a bombshell that no one saw coming.

"Let's go for a prenatal checkup now. If it's a Jones baby, I'll take responsibility for it!"

I was betting on it.

I bet she would not go through with it and bet the test was fake.

Surely enough, I saw a hint of panic in Sarah's eyes before she pushed it down.

She puffed out her stomach, which was hardly noticeable, and her voice wavered with a hint of tears, yet it rang out clear and strong.

"Alright, let's do this! Let's have the doctor check out how you've been treating me, a poor student, and let everyone here be the judge!"

She agreed so quickly that it actually made me feel uneasy.

She shifted her tone and added, "I get queasy in cars, so we can't go to some far-off hospital. How about the private clinic just around the corner? It's got a nicer vibe."

I shot her down without hesitation, my voice brooking no argument. "No way. If we're going to do this, we're going to the top-notch place. No one's going to accuse me of foul play later on."

I glanced at Wade, who was fidgeting in the crowd, amongst those so-called heroes of justice.

"We're heading to Saint Mary's Hospital."

The blood drained from Sarah's face.

"Saint... Saint Mary's Hospital? Why there? I'm really not feeling well..."

"That's because my partner works at Saint Mary's. I'm married, and getting checked there is in both our best interests."

The word 'married' exploded like a bomb, leaving everyone in the room dazed.

Even Wade, who had been snickering on the sidelines, was caught off guard.

Sarah's mouth fell open, her eyes brimming with shock.

"You're married? No... That can't be! You're lying!"

She knew the score. Wrecking someone's marriage was not just a moral no-no, it could land her in legal hot water too.

"Come on, Ms. Lewis."

I did not let her catch her breath. I stepped closer and took hold of her arm.

"I... I can't go! My stomach's killing me all of a sudden! Let's do it another day!"

She tried to pull away, shrinking back, seeking refuge among her supportive classmates.

However, I was not having it. I tightened my grip.

"You're not feeling well? Great, the doctors at the hospital can take care of that."

Keith was on the ball. He stepped in, gently but firmly took Sarah off my hands, and guided her to the car parked outside the auditorium.

Reporters were hot on our trail, their cars zooming behind us in a frenzied chase.

Within half an hour, we pulled up to Saint Mary's Hospital.

I had barely helped Sarah out of the car when a booming voice, laced with shock, called out.

"Avery? What brings you here?"

A distinguished-looking elder with shiny badges on his uniform approached us with purposeful strides.

"Hello."

"Feeling under the weather? Where's your other half, not with you today?"

I did not even get a chance to answer when Sarah, who had been slumped over like she was out of commission, suddenly sprang to life and stumbled toward the Dean of Medicine, Patrick Hoffman.

"Sir, you've got to help me!"

Patrick looked completely thrown off by her dramatic entrance, his brow creasing in confusion.

"And you are?"

Tears streamed down Sarah's face as they clutched their stomach, a picture of distress.

"This person… I'm carrying their child! However, this person… denying it, and dragged me here today to get an abortion!"

Her talent for spinning lies was next-level.

Patrick's eyes nearly popped out of his head as he processed her words.

He shot me a look of sheer disbelief, then back at Sarah.

After a tense few seconds of silence, Patrick said, "Say that again. You're carrying this person's child? Do you have any idea who this person's partner is? Do you realize the gravity of messing with someone's marriage? You're here spewing lies, so what's your goal?"

Sarah shook like a leaf under his thunderous voice, but she was in too deep to back down.

"I'm telling you the truth, this person forced me to get an abortion! I have proof! Sir, you can't side with them just because they have money and influence!"

"Fine! Just fine! Absolutely fine!"

Patrick's anger flipped to a bitter laugh as he spat out the word 'fine' three times.

"Well, since you're so sure of yourself, let's clear this up once and for all, right here at Saint Mary's Hospital!"

He swept his hand through the air with authority and barked at the hospital staff who had hurried over at the sound of the commotion.

"Get someone to check her out, top to bottom, thoroughly. I'm going to see for myself today how Avery, a woman, supposedly got you pregnant!"