The Pregnancy Test Wasn't Mine

After crashing at my condo for two days, my best friend Tessa deliberately left a positive pregnancy test in my bathroom trash. My boyfriend found it and decided it had to be mine.

When he asked why I had not told him I was pregnant, I played along. I was one second away from explaining that the test was not mine.

Then he wrapped his arms around me and cried with joy. After a long moment, he pulled back and spoke with aching tenderness. “Sienna, you know money is tight for my family.

We promised to put $30,000 into the weddingandstarterhome fund, but now we can only do $5,000.” His first decision as a father was to discount his promise.

Chapter 1 The moment Tessa heard that Nolan Mercer and I were planning a wedding, she flew across the country to talk me out of it. “That man calculates everything,” she warned me. “Stop letting love make you stupid.” I told her Nolan was not like that.

She knew I would not listen, so she said she had left me a big gift and went home. Nolan arrived right after she left. He stayed in the bathroom for a long time.

When he came out, his eyes were red. “What's wrong?” I asked.

He pointed at the pregnancy test and stared at me. “Why didn't you tell me something this important?” One look at the test, and I understood. This was Tessa's big gift.

On impulse, I smiled. “I wanted to surprise you.” Nolan pulled me into his arms. “This is amazing. I'm going to be a dad.” At six foot two, he towered over me, yet he was crying.

My mouth opened. I had no idea how to explain the joke without looking cruel. After a minute, Nolan wiped his face and went back into the bathroom to wash up.

When he returned, he said we needed to talk about the money our families had promised before the wedding. “Didn't your family already agree to put $30,000 into the weddingandstarterhome fund?” I asked.

Nolan winced. “Sienna, you know what my family's situation is like. It's nothing like yours.” Something in my chest tightened. His father had died.

His mother worked a small family farm, and Nolan had a younger brother and sister. My family was wealthy, and I was an only child. Our situations were different. “Yes, they are.

What's your point?” “My family can't come up with $30,000. Five thousand is the most we can do now.” “If you don't have it, you don't have it,” I said. He smiled.

Then I added, “I'll have my parents cut their contribution to $5,000 too.” “You can't do that.” His voice shot up. The smile vanished. “My mom will never agree.

She already told the whole family your parents were giving us $60,000.

If they cut it to $5,000 now, how is that going to make us look?” “Your family can cut thirty thousand to five without being embarrassed.

Why is it shameful when my parents cut sixty thousand to five?” So this had never been about what our families could afford. It was about what Nolan believed he was owed.

Nolan sighed. “Sienna, the wedding date is set.

Can you please stop making trouble?” He said it like my refusal to accept a double standard was a tantrum. “I'm not making trouble, Nolan.

Both families put their promised amounts in writing.” His voice dropped. “Was cutting your parents' $60,000 to $5,000 their idea?” I held up the messages on my phone. “It was.

I agreed.” “How could you agree on behalf of my family?” I stared at him. “That's money my parents are giving me.

How am I deciding anything for your family?” His face hardened. “The fund was something both families agreed on.” Chapter 2 “Shouldn't my family have a say before you change it?

What you did was disrespectful.” I held on to my patience. “Your family cut thirty thousand to five without asking mine.” “I asked what you thought.” “No, you told me what was happening.

If I'd said no, would your family still have paid the full $30,000?” Nolan had no answer. “Sienna, you still don't understand your new role.

You and I are the closest people in each other's lives. We're the family now. I'm thinking about our future.” He pressed his lips into a thin line.

His fist tightened until his knuckles lost their color. It was nothing like the calm, polished man I had known. I did not want to keep arguing. “I don't feel well.

I'm going to lie down.” I went into the bedroom and closed the door. Tessa called a moment later. “Well? Did you get my big gift?

Did he finally show you who he is?” I dropped onto the bed. “He thinks I'm pregnant. He also said his family can only put in $5,000 now.” Her eyes went wide on the screen. “Wow.

He failed that test fast. Did you slap him?” I buried my face in the pillow and shook my head. “Tessa, he puts his paycheck into an account I can see. He's gentle with me.

He takes care of me. He even makes my anniversary gifts by hand. How many men do that?

Are you saying I can't trust any of it?” Tessa rolled her eyes. “He makes $8,000 a month, and more than $5,000 goes straight back out to his family.

That's before the big holiday transfers.” She leaned closer to the camera. “Your handmade gifts cost him less than thirty bucks.

He bought his mother $6,000 in jewelry and gave his brother and sister $800 phones.” “So what exactly is all that care worth? It's bait, Sienna.

He wants you comfortable enough to become his family's walking ATM.

His scheme is staring you in the face, and you're wearing it like jewelry.” Even through a screen, she looked ready to reach over and knock sense into me.

I let out a breath. “It's been three years. Are you saying none of it was real?” Tessa went quiet. “Maybe some of it was. So what?

Do you enjoy digging through garbage for one speck of gold? He doesn't want to break the cycle in his family.” She folded her arms. “Let's make a bet.

Once his family believes you're pregnant, they won't even pay the $5,000.

They'll demand every dollar of your parents' $60,000 instead.” Part of me still wanted to believe in him. “Fine. You're on.

I don't believe they'll refuse to pay even five thousand.” After the call, I stared at the ceiling. My thoughts looked like a ball of yarn after a cat had torn through it.

Nolan was handsome. Exactly my type. He was polite, driven, and had a solid career. In a city our size, his income was good, though nowhere near rich.

For three years, he had done everything right. Until that day, I had believed he was the perfect catch. Now I could not sleep.

Nolan came in with a glass of warm water and held it out to me. “Sienna, are you upset? Don't overthink the fund.” His voice was gentle. The numbers weren't.

Chapter 3 “My family truly can't afford $30,000,” Nolan continued. “Try to understand what my mother has been through.

Don't pressure her.” I frowned. “What are you talking about?” When our families first discussed the wedding, the Mercers had said they could not help with either the wedding or our first home.

My mother had been clear: if the Mercers contributed less than $30,000, my parents would match it. If they managed the full $30,000, my parents would double it to $60,000. Mrs.

Mercer had challenged her at once. “Our family doesn't have that kind of money. Yours does, and Sienna is your only child.

Aren't you going to help the couple pay for the wedding and a home?” My mother had smiled politely. “So your family contributes nothing, and mine pays for everything?” “I'm thinking of Sienna's reputation,” Mrs.

Mercer had said. “How would it look if her own family sent her into marriage with nothing?” “If she's willing to marry into a family that gives her nothing, I doubt she's worried about appearances.” Nolan had sensed the tension and pulled his mother aside.

When they came back, his family promised $30,000 as proof that they were serious about the marriage. They had chosen the number.

Now Nolan spoke as if my family had forced it out of them. At last, I understood.

He had promised thirty thousand to get my parents' sixty. “Easy,” Nolan said softly. “Getting upset isn't good for the baby. You never cared about money before.

My family will take care of you.” “Leave the baby out of this.

If both families put in $5,000, no one is taking advantage of anyone.” Nolan shot to his feet. “Cutting your parents' contribution doesn't help our future at all.

Why can't you understand that? We've already planned how to use that money.” I looked down and laughed once. He was right about one thing.

We had discussed how to use my parents' money. Our offices were far apart.

I drove the car my parents had already given me, and we planned to use the fund to get Nolan a commuter car. That very day, I had asked my parents to add another $30,000.

The basic model Nolan wanted cost around $70,000. His birthday was the following week. I had planned to surprise him. The surprise was still there.

The joy was gone. “You mean the car?” I asked. “There are plenty of commuter cars under $15,000. Our two fivethousanddollar contributions would cover a down payment.

We should live within our means.” A deep line formed between Nolan's brows. “Forget it. You don't understand. Do whatever you want.

I'm going to work a little longer.” He left the bedroom. That was how Nolan acted whenever he was upset.

He wore patience like a medal while making me feel like a child who refused to learn. I picked up the tablet beside me and entered the password. Nolan's messaging account opened.

He kept it signed in on several devices. He had to be discussing our future with his family by now. Sure enough, The Family Blessings Chat was busy. [Nolan: She's pregnant.

We can renegotiate the fund.] [Mrs. Mercer: I'm going to have a grandbaby!] Three years of love became a line item the second he thought I couldn't leave.

Chapter 4 Nolan's younger brother, Shane, answered first. [Shane: Her parents haven't even wired the $60,000 yet.

Why would she get pregnant first?] [Nolan: I think she wanted to hide it, but I found out.

I stopped by her condo today and saw the test.] His younger sister, Brittany, joined the chat. [Brittany: What if it belongs to someone else?] [Nolan: She lives alone.

Who else could it belong to?] I let out a slow breath. Tessa and Nolan had never liked each other, so I had not told him she was staying with me.

I had also said I would be working late those two nights, which kept him from coming over. I had only wanted to prevent an argument between them.

Instead, Nolan had no reason to imagine the test belonged to anyone but me. Maybe fate had finally done me a favor. More messages filled the screen. [Mrs.

Mercer: She's carrying your baby. We don't have to pay the full $30,000 now, do we?] [Nolan: I told her we're only putting in $5,000.

Her family cut their part to $5,000 too.] Brittany sent a celebration sticker. [Brittany: Great. Mom won't need a personal loan for the $30,000.

Nolan would've had to pay it back after the wedding. That would've looked so cheap.] [Shane: Mom called it from the start.

Getting her pregnant was the easiest solution.] [Nolan: I only told her we couldn't afford it. Don't let anything slip. She'll get suspicious.] A laugh almost escaped me.

He was worried I might become suspicious? I had been an idiot. His family's promised $30,000 was supposed to come from a loan Nolan expected us to repay after the wedding.

I would have been paying for the privilege of being exploited. I sank back against the pillows. For three years, I had poured everything into our relationship.

I had believed in our future enough to tie our interests together. Now the whole thing lay in pieces. The Mercers kept talking.

Messages flew across the screen. [Shane: Did she get rid of that old cat yet? The damn thing claws me every time I visit.

Next time I'll give it a little treat, then make it sit still while I practice my knife work.] [Nolan: Don't do anything stupid.] [Mrs. Mercer: Pregnant women are easier to manage.

Use the cat to show her who's in charge.] [Brittany: Exactly. She's carrying Nolan's baby. Where could she go? Who else would want her?] [Shane: A woman like that needs training.

Get her under control while she's pregnant, and she'll listen after the wedding.] [Nolan: Don't make it sound so ugly. This is about keeping peace in the family.] Not the cruelty.

Just the wording. [Shane: I don't think we should give her the $5,000 either.] [Nolan: Remember the deal. Her parents match whatever we put in.

Her family has already cut its share to $5,000.] Three messages appeared almost at once. [Mrs. Mercer: What? Who agreed to that? She's pregnant.

She doesn't get to take back her family's $60,000.

If her parents don't wire the full $60,000 into that fund, she doesn't get to join this family.] [Brittany: What a heartless heiress.] Chapter 5 [Brittany: Sixty thousand dollars turned into five thousand overnight.

How is that fair? She's screwing us over.] [Shane: Nolan, don't tell me you agreed to this. Her parents promised $60,000, and we need every cent.

We already agreed that $30,000 of it would pay for my wedding with Leah.] I stared at the screen. My parents' money was supposed to help buy Nolan a car.

How had half of it become his brother's wedding fund? [Nolan: Why are you all in such a rush? We'll come up with the money sooner or later.] [Shane: How can I not be in a rush?

Leah and I are waiting to get married. I've already talked to a titleloan broker. Once we get the car, I can pull at least $30,000 out of it.

Don't touch the money for our wedding.] [Brittany: The Vales have no shame. They already promised that money for Shane's wedding.

What gives them the right to take it back?] [Shane: Anyone who touches my money answers to me.

I don't care if she's about to be my sisterinlaw.] [Nolan: Don't start trouble.] [Mrs. Mercer: Nolan, everything you earn belongs to this family anyway.

Shane dropped out of school to help pay for your education. You can't turn your back on your brother.] [Nolan: I'll find a way as soon as I can.] Unbelievable.

Shane had never even finished middle school. He could barely fill out a basic application.

After he dropped out, he kept getting into trouble, and Nolan worked extra jobs to pay off his debts.

Now they had rewritten the story so Shane was the selfless brother who had sacrificed his education. I photographed every message, one by one.

Then I cleared the login traces, signed out, and set the tablet down. I texted my mother. Cancel the wedding.

At ten that night, Nolan came into the bedroom. “Sienna, we need to finalize the venue and catering the day after tomorrow.

Transfer the $30,000 deposit to my account first.” Nolan leaned in for his usual goodnight kiss