Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(123)

Incredible how this office has witnessed so many hard talks: the talk I had with Roy, not so long ago, regarding my feelings toward his daughter and my intention to marry her; the talk with Julia asking me if I would approve the assassination of Petra’s mother; and now, the worst of them all, putting an end to all of this—killing myself, it feels like.

I hear knocking. The door opens.

I can’t help but smile at the sight of her—she’s wearing a loose white sweatshirt, her usual jeans, and a pair of white sneakers. Her cherry lips smile back at me, her skin glowing, her eyes sparkling. She looks like she’s going to run in my direction like a kid, and she does. I welcome her with a kiss, tasting her lips one last time, but she probably feels the bitterness in my heart more than anything else.

“What’s wrong?” She knows me so well.

“Petra, have a seat.” I invite her to sit where her father sat before. But Petra is not Roy and she doesn’t obey. Instead, she studies my face, my expression…

“Tell me,” she insists again. I look down but remain speechless. “Wow, seems serious.”

“It is,” I reply, but nothing further seems to come out.





Petra Van Gatt





The more I observe him, the more I wonder if he knows about my pregnancy. Maybe the clinic found out my real identity, maybe they sold the information to Dad… Oh God, this is it. He knows everything! The words he’ll say next, I know them. He won’t propose. I’ve got to throw up. “Is there a bathroom around?”

He points to a door, and before he can say a word, I run to the back of his office, open it, and find a small bathroom. Unfortunately, I vomit into the toilet before I can close the door behind me. I feel so embarrassed that he witnesses it all. He turns his face away at the terrible sound I make when the acid evacuates my mouth.

“This isn’t the first time you’ve thrown up,” he snaps. “You haven’t eaten properly either. This could be serious. Let me call the doctor.”

What? He doesn’t know yet? Or is he just pretending to test my honesty? “No need. I can explain.” I sigh nervously. I’ll have to play the honesty card—just like Emma recommended.

“Well, I’m listening.”

“I’m… I’m...” I reach down to my abdomen, but words don’t come. I feel so ashamed for what I did. I shouldn’t have lied to him, and now I’m so scared I’ll regret it. But it’s too late. I shut my eyes, anticipating the worst.

“Oh, Petra…” His tone is enough to petrify my entire body. I swallow hard. His hands go to his face, and he rubs his eyes tiredly. “You are with child, aren’t you?” His question is laced with disappointment as he looks in my direction.

I nod.

He lets out a deep breath, gazing intently down at the floor, then back at me. “How many weeks?”

I can’t even move, think, or talk in the face of so much hostility, but I shut my eyes once more, and with my voice broken and weak, I mumble, “Fifteen…”

“What? You must be kidding me,” he immediately snarls. “That goes way back to early December. You told me you were on the pill. You… you fucking lied to me! Why did you do that? Why?”

“Because I wanted this!” I shout through tears. “I wanted to tell you sooner, but since you promised Dad we wouldn’t have kids before I graduate, I kept it to myself. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. But, oh God, I was so happy when I found out.”

“Petra, you’re only eighteen, for God’s sake! Your dad will hate me. I made him a promise I can’t even keep because his daughter is a fucking liar!”

“Stop talking about him and your stupid promise! He has nothing to do with us!”

“Really? He has nothing to do with us? In what world do you live?”

“We can still get engaged,” I insist. “We don’t need his fucking permission anyway.”

“No, we cannot,” he announces, sounding defeated.

My jaw drops to the floor as I look at him in the eye. His are red and watery. I’ve never seen him like this before. Is he holding back tears?

“I’m sorry, Petra, but it’s over.”

I gasp, covering my mouth. Oh God, I feel my heart reel at such a punch. The pain is so deep that I can barely breathe. “You can’t be serious!” I start sobbing. “Just because I’m pregnant? Just because I lied?”





Alexander Van Dieren





Oh Petra, if you knew… “It’s either me or the baby,” I add, knowing she will choose the latter.

She caresses her baby bump, despite it being very small. “What’s wrong with you?” she shouts through her sobs. “You’re really suggesting I end my pregnancy or else we are done?”

I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and say what has to be said. “Yes.” Please, Petra, just choose the baby and break up with me.

“Very well.” She sniffles and dries her tears. “You are the cruelest person I’ve ever met! Mom was right! You are nothing but a disgusting heartbreaker, a monster! I hate you!”

I can’t contain my tears for much longer. I need to get out of here before I lose control. Before I tell her the truth once and for all. Be wise, Alexander! I hear Roy shouting in my head. You know what’s at stake. “You have some belongings in my bedroom. I’ll get them for you. Wait for me here.” And I shut the door behind me, just as my tears start falling.