I slowly turn on my heel and lock gazes with Marie. I don't like the sing-song tone of her voice. Her artificial sugary sweetness is a lame attempt at masking her true feelings.
"I don't know." I shrug and examine the paint splatter stuck to my fingernails, pretending indifference, when I'd much rather wrap my hands around Marie's throat. "I don't go to the doctor until next week."
Marie turns up her chin and flashes her most dazzling smile. I'm not fooled. I eye her warily when I recognize the loathing in her eyes, the same gleam The Cobra would give one of her enemies right before she was about to strike.
She arches a brow while tossing her hair back. "How convenient that you get pregnant right before my cousin is about to inherit a fortune."
If I was angry before, it was nothing compared to the fury that infuses my skull now. "Excuse me?" I say on a hiss as I narrow my eyes at her. Marie has been dumping on me ever since Christmas Eve, and I'm about fed up with taking her shit.
Her brows dip beneath her bangs. "Cruz Automotive. My uncle's giving him five shops. Andrés will be rich." She says this as if it's supposed to be some big surprise. Yeah, I know about Andrés's inheritance, but I loved him way before I knew this, back when he was just a mechanic living in a tiny apartment.
"Are you saying that's why I got pregnant?" A stupid question, and I instantly regret the words as they pour from my mouth, but I'm so stunned by her rude accusation I don't know what else to say.
"Why else do girls get pregnant?" She bats her lashes and flashes a smug smile.
I clench my hands so tight, I can feel nails breaking skin. It's so hard, so very hard not to slap that fake smile off her face. "It was an accident."
She snickers and then bobbles her head around like a diva on crack. "So you're calling my baby cousin an accident?"
I'm tired of this word war with Marie. I'm so furious, my head is starting to spin, and I fight the urge to rub my aching temples. I don't need this kind of stress, especially not in my condition, but I don't dare show her how much she's upsetting me. She'll only think I'm looking for sympathy.
"You know what? You've obviously already made up your mind about me. Andrés knows I love him. That's all that matters." I turn on my heel and slam the bedroom door behind me as I march back into the kitchen.
Much to my dismay, Tia is at my sink doing dishes. I don't know what else to do but stand in the center of the kitchen, gaping at her back. My nerves are so frayed, it's starting to zap my energy. All I can think of is kicking them out of my apartment, so I can enjoy a nice soak in the tub and a nap.
"I just couldn't let these dishes sit her like this," Tia says over her shoulder.
I don't answer her as I sit down at the table and groan into my palms. How did I know she'd try to make me feel guilty about the mess?
"So how about you come to the ranch for lunch? We need to get your measurements, so we can adjust my old dress."
"I'm sorry," I say through a strained voice. "I've got plans already."
"Come by the ranch tonight then. We need to get my dress to the seamstress before it's too late."
I exhale a slow steady breath while straightening in my chair. I will not let her bully me into wearing some other dress for my wedding. "Tia, thank you so much for the offer, but I want to give my gown a try. I'm not even finished painting it."
Her spine stiffens and she clucks her tongue as she sets the last dish in the rack. I watch her rigid movements as she dries her hands on a towel. I know once she turns around, she'll keep trying to wear me down, and I'm so not in the mood to argue anymore.
Luckily, just as she opens her mouth to speak, there's a knock on the door. Grace! I'd nearly forgotten we were supposed to go shopping for her maid of honor dress today. I jump up so fast, I nearly topple the chair behind me.
I race to the door and swing it open. Grace is standing in the entryway, looking as polished and poised as ever. I have no idea how her wavy blonde hair and golden skin always looks so flawless, like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine.
"Hello." She smiles and turns up her pert nose. "You ready?"
I sigh as Tia comes up behind me. I can feel her breathing down my neck like a tiger ready to pounce on her prey. I open the door wide and nod toward my best friend. "Grace, you remember Andrés's aunt?" I sweep my arm toward Tia and they both smile at each other. Grace and Tia already met at the surprise graduation party Andrés threw me. Even though it was only a few weeks ago, it feels like ages. I was so happy at that party, maybe because Marie couldn't attend, or maybe because it was before the engagement and the baby news.