The look in Vanessa's eyes let me know that I was in trouble. The last thing I wanted to do was argue after the traumatic day that I had. The tension in the air was suffocating. 

"What is it now Vanessa? I've had a hell of a day."

She stood up, rushing to confront me, "and what were you doing that was so important that you couldn't answer the phone?"

She's this upset because I didn't answer the phone. I can deal with this.

"Baby, you know I'm finalizing things at my shop, the grand opening is in a few days and..."

"Well, I guess you're gonna need more income since you're about to be a father of two."

I almost fell backwards. My legs feeling like they're gonna give out on me at any second. Keeping my composure was essential. Vanessa stared up at me, I could tell she was anticipating my reaction by the way she folded her arms over her chest. She could smell bullshit from a mile away. One wrong word and the bomb that's been ticking would definitely explode. What could I possibly say to make her believe me?

"What are you talking about babe?"

"Christopher, don't insult my intelligence!"

Shit. I need to try a different approach. 

"Where is all this coming from?" I took her arm and sat her down at the dining room table, "you don't need this stress. It's not true."

She rubbed her temples and mumbled a few words to herself, "Chris, either tell me the truth right now, or I'm just going to call her back and put her on speaker."

I could feel myself dying inside, "call her back? That crazy bitch called you?"

Kim had crossed the line. Vanessa was off limits. She knew that.

"Yes, she called me! She told me she's pregnant with your baby! How could you do this to me Chris!?"

I could feel my heart breaking as I watched Vanessa sob uncontrollably. Wanting to comfort her, I sat beside her pulling her into my arms. 

"Vanessa, it's not true," I put both hands on the side of her face so that she could look into my eyes, "don't waste your tears on this. I'll handle her."

She straightened up in her seat, pulling away from my embrace, "handle her? I thought you ended things a long time ago. Why is she calling me and making up lies? What does she want?"

For me to be the father of her baby, which wasn't confirmed yet. 

"I honestly don't know babe, I have not spoken to her in awhile. I will get to the bottom of this. Don't worry."

I kissed her on her cheek, the saltiness of her tears lingered on my lips. Seeing her like this made me hate myself for what I've done to her. She didn't deserve this.

"I can't deal with this anymore Chris! This is becoming too much for me!" 

I watched as she stormed off, hearing a door slam shortly after. Figuring she locked herself in the bedroom, I fought the urge to chase after her. Giving her space was best for now, while I sorted out the numerous ways this could all play out. 

Going into the guest bathroom, I stared at myself in the mirror. Not recognizing the man staring back at me, I swallowed the lump in my throat that indicated that tears would soon follow.  My life was falling apart right before my eyes and I was feeling more than hopeless. Kim will be the first demon to tackle.

Turning on the shower, I took off my white T-shirt, noticing a couple of small red dots scattered near the collar. I quickly turned on the sink, grabbing a nearby bar of soap. After scrubbing vigorously for a minute, I saw that it was starting to fade away. But I didn't let up. I kept rubbing the shirt together until my biceps felt like they were on fire.

Exhausted, I finally got into the shower. The hot water feeling as if it were cleansing me of my sins.  Closing my eyes, flashbacks of the day began to haunt me. Hearing the guy take his last breath. Watching the life fade from his eyes and his body twitching as if he were being possessed to go into the after life. I shook my head thinking this would erase my thoughts, but it only intensified the images that seemed to be implanted into my brain.

The knock on the bathroom door startled me. I turned the water off, grabbing the towel off of the counter. If it's Vanessa ready for round 2 of arguing, there was no strength in me to do so. I took a deep breath before I opened the door. It was Vanessa bent over, holding her stomach, a small pool of blood forming on the tile beneath her. She collapsed into my arms. This can't be happening again.