Chapter 55: The rising suspicion
Outside the school gates, Zara stood still, watching Zane enter the building. She gave him a wave, which he returned with his usual cheerful energy before darting off through the doors. Her hand dropped slowly, but her eyes remained fixed on the spot where she last saw him, reluctant to look away.
Behind her, Riya’s voice cut through the quiet. "How long are you planning to stand here?" she snapped, clearly annoyed. "Just get in the car. I have better things to do than babysit you on your hospital trip."
But Zara didn’t budge. She stayed rooted to the spot, not even glancing at Riya. "Then go," she said flatly. "Don’t waste your time. I can handle it myself."
Riya sneered. It was obvious—Zara was stalling, trying to ditch her. She knew exactly why. Zara didn’t want her tagging along because it would be harder to hide the truth, especially if that truth was a pregnancy.
"You are forgetting something," Riya said with smugness lacing in her tone. "Mom sent me with you and instructed me to take you to the hospital. She is worried and wants to make sure you are alright. What do you expect me to tell her? That I just let you walk off alone? She’ll be furious, and I’m not about to get scolded."
Her chin lifted as she crossed her arms. "So no, I’m not leaving. Whether you like it or not, you are coming with me."
Zara rolled her eyes, easily seeing through Riya’s thin veil of concern. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag as her thoughts spun anxiously.
’Where is Bree?’ she thought, growing more agitated by the second. ’I told her to meet me here. What’s taking her so long?’
The pressure was mounting. She couldn’t go with Riya. But she also couldn’t afford to say anything that would make Riya more suspicious. She needed to find an excuse.