Chapter 17

Claire's POV I touched my stomach, my emotions in turmoil. I never imagined there would be a tiny life growing inside me. Joey was hesitant to tell me the truth, insisting that I should ask Lucius myself and tell him about the pregnancy. I couldn't do it. He'd always seen me as someone with ulterior motives, a woman who seduced him. If I told him I was pregnant, he'd surely use that venomous tongue of his to humiliate me mercilessly. My pride wouldn't let me face such humiliation. When Joey asked what I planned to do about the baby, my first thought was abortion. With my financial situation, I had no means to raise a child. Having grown up in a single-parent household, I knew how difficult it was for a single mother to raise a child. I knew the hardships that children without fathers endured. I couldn't bear to bring a child into this world only to abandon them to such a bleak life. But when I walked through the hospital doors, I hesitated. This was my child, my family! Even though I h