Chapter 4The Wedding Day Shakedown

Megan just cried. "I don't want to live anymore! We dated for five years, and this is how you treat me?"

My mom heard the commotion and forced herself out of the bedroom. She was soft-hearted, and when she saw how pitifully Megan was crying, she instinctively reached out to her. "Meg, honey, let's talk this out calmly..."

But Jeanie shoved her away. "Spare us the fake concern! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!"

The push sent my mom's lower back slamming into the shoe cabinet.

Something in my head exploded. "Jeanie! You're asking for it!"

I grabbed her by the collar and flung her aside. She screamed as she hit the wall, wincing in pain.

When Johnny saw that, he raised the brick and charged. "You dare lay a hand on my girl? I'll kill you!"

I grabbed a baseball bat from behind the door. "Come on! Take one more step and see what happens!"

My eyes were bloodshot as I glared at him. "This is my house! You're trespassing! Want me to send you to jail for a few years?"

Johnny was the type to bully the weak and cower before the strong. Seeing how furious I was, he didn't dare bring the brick down.

When Megan's mom saw that intimidation wasn't working, she started throwing a fit. "Everyone, come look! He's bullying a poor widow and her kids!"

I looked at the whole family coldly. "You're the ones who burned every bridge by demanding 66,000 dollars. And you still have the nerve to come here and make a scene?"

Megan got up from the floor, clutching her stomach, her face pale. "Vince, are you really this heartless? How dare you push me? How dare you dump me? I'm carrying your baby!"

My mom forgot all about her back and stared at Megan's stomach, shocked and overjoyed. "Meg... are you serious? You're pregnant?"

Seeing that, Megan immediately straightened up, a flash of smugness in her eyes. "Two months along. I was going to surprise you at the wedding. I never thought you'd treat me like this."

My mom immediately turned and grabbed my hand. "Vince, for... for the baby's sake, we'll figure out the money somehow..."

Seeing the hope in her eyes, I dropped the baseball bat on the floor. "Fine. Let's go to the hospital."

Megan's face changed. "Why the hospital? I already told you I'm pregnant. You don't believe me?"

"No, I don't." I looked her straight in the eye. "We're going to the hospital for an ultrasound right now.

"If the report shows a gestational sac, forget 66,000 dollars. I'll give up the house and sell my kidney to get you every last cent.

"Not only that, I'll get down on my knees and apologize, and I'll treat you like a queen."

When we got to the hospital's ER, Megan made an excuse to use the bathroom.

I planted myself outside the women's restroom and called to the cleaning lady inside.

"Ma'am, could you keep an eye on the woman in the embroidered wedding gown? Don't let her run, and don't let her make any calls. She's mentally unstable!"

Megan shrieked from inside, furious. "Vince, you creep!"

A few minutes later, I practically marched her into the ultrasound room.

Ten minutes after that, the doctor came out holding the report and gave our whole group a strange look. "Who's the family?"

The doctor frowned and handed the report over. I took it and glanced at it.

Just then, Megan came out after fixing her clothes, still trying to act frail.

My mom was trembling with rage. Out of nowhere, she found the strength to rush forward and slap Megan hard across the face.

"You liar! Lying to an old woman about something like this! Have you no conscience?" she sobbed.

Megan was stunned, clutching her cheek. Then she shrieked, "So it's my fault I'm not pregnant? Your son's the problem!

"So what if I lied? Would you have paid if I hadn't? My brother needs that money to save his life!"

I looked at her twisted face, and the last shred of feeling I had for her vanished. "Fine. Since you're not pregnant, let's settle the score."

Right then and there, I took out my phone and dialed 911.