Dr. Alex Boyd and Dr. Kate King, are in love and engaged to be married, but their lives are placed in turmoil when Kate’s sister Lauren, accuses Alex of being the father of the baby she is expecting.
Kate is torn between her belief in Alex’s innocence and loyalty to her sister. Has Alex cheated on her? Who is telling the truth? Kate and Alex’s love is in danger of being destroyed as the trust between them is shattered.
Contact Christina Carlisle
Email: chris@christinacarlisle.com
"My sister says she is expecting your baby."
Kate trembled as she faced Alex across the bedroom.
"Is it true?" She hardly recognized her own voice as she flung the words at him, her eyes searching his for a sign of denial.
She saw his horror as he dropped his car keys on the dressing table as he did every night and then a fleeting, but unmistakable expression of guilt flashed across his eyes and Kate's world crashed around her.
"I'm not sure what's going on, Kate but I suggest we discuss this with your sister." Alex's tone was cool and controlled.
"Lauren's hysterical. She's staying at Julia's tonight." Kate could feel her fingers shaking as she pressed them against her lips. She suppressed an urge to scream at the top of her voice wondering what sort of response it would drag from him. My God! He's as guilty as hell! Alex and Lauren – her fiancé and her sister. Why hadn't she seen it coming? She was so stupid!
"Kate, sit down for a moment. You're as white as a sheet." Alex made a conciliatory gesture towards her but Kate moved to the other side of the bed, holding her hands up defensively, the movement blocking his approach.
"Don't come near me, Alex or I swear, I'll hit you! How dare you stand there so calmly as if nothing has happened? How dare you!"
"Because it's nonsense."
"So, you're dismissing what Lauren said and going about your business as normal?" Kate swallowed hard, the fury and hurt she was feeling tearing at her insides. She clenched her jaw to kill the sob rising in her throat.
"Well, what do you expect me to do?" Alex pulled his tie from around his neck and hung it neatly on the tie rack inside his wardrobe. As he does every night, Kate registered again, totally bewildered by his cool behaviour.
She sat on the edge of their king size bed, her legs unable to hold her. Fighting to keep control of her emotions, she said, "I expect you to explain why Lauren would say that if it isn't true?"
Alex turned, his face pale and drawn. "Because she's crazy, that's why," he said bitterly.
"She would never hurt me – you know that. My sisters and I have always been close."
And I would never hurt you either, Kate."
"You just have."
"Come on! We're getting married soon. Why would I jeopardize our love?"
His voice softened as he knelt before her, his warm hands reaching and holding her clenched fists. "Lauren is playing silly games and I don't know why," he said, gently lifting her hands and kissing each finger, willing her to relax.
Kate forced herself to look at him through the tears welling in her eyes. The serious, handsome face with the little cleft in his chin, which she adored. His beautiful hazel eyes with long dark lashes and the smooth olive skin stretched over his high cheekbones. And the dark, unruly hair that she loved to touch. She worshipped him so – she couldn't believe that he'd been unfaithful.
"We've always said … we'd have no se--secrets from each other." Kate stumbled with the words as she tried to gain control of her trembling voice. "I know I've been away a lot. If something has happened between the two of you while I was at those conferences, then I will try and understand…"
"Don't go there, Kate." Alex's expression hardened as he stood and looked down at her. "We've lived together for almost a year but obviously you don't know me very well." His sensual mouth was drawn into a grim line.
"You were the one who offered Lauren a home until she found a place," he continued. "But, she's still here after three months. It's bad enough seeing her at work, let alone having her with us every other moment of the day."
"She's my baby sister and has nowhere to go."
"For God's sake get real! She's a qualified social worker and her last flat mate turfed her out. I want her out. Get rid of her."
Kate gasped at the sudden explosive fury in Alex's face. It was a side of his character she had never seen and her brain whirled at his veiled insinuations about Lauren.
"I can't just push her out – especially now," she replied, her blue eyes darkening with emotion. "And if nothing happened between you, why are you insistent on her leaving?"
For a moment Alex studied her intently. Then he shrugged his cool mask back in place.
"Please yourself, Kate. You either believe your sister or me. You need to decide where your loyalties lie and who you can trust. But, if Lauren hasn't left our home by the end of the week, then I will. And that's a promise."