"I wish I didn't leave that night, but I had to Val. You don't understand."
__________
It's been twenty years since Valerie Rhodes saw the love of her life. One night changed everything for her. Until she...
"He's right," Cynthia says, stepping slowly into the room. "I know you care about him, Mom. That's why I called him. I didn't want you to leave without telling him goodbye."
"Honey—
"Valerie, please." Grant tries to speak, but I raise my hand to stop him.
"I'm pregnant."
The voices that filled the room suddenly fades and we are left alone again... speechless. No sounds. You could drop a penny to let the room echo.. that's how quiet it was.
"Mom," Cynthia speaks first. "Are you really?"
Grant doesn't say anything. His eyes wander to my daughters and then finds mine again, still not saying a word.
"It's been a couple weeks since I found out."
"Is it mine?"
Wow, he speaks.
I quickly shake my head, keeping my head down to fiddle my thumbs like I always do when I'm ashamed. "I don't know."
He runs a hand through his hair, feeling defeated before leaning against the door. "Does Elijah know?"
"No."
"So, you were just going to leave without telling either of us?"
I swallow back the tears that try to escape my eyes and the lump in my throat that burns suddenly. I understand he's mad. But, I had no choice.
"Don't you see," my lips quiver as I speak. "Don't you see how fucked up this is?"
"Mom—
"I don't know who's baby this is. You two are brothers and I'm in the middle. This baby will be in the middle. I already have one kid out of this, now I'm going to have another." My voice breaks with every word.
My feet take a few steps back as I almost trip over them, stumbling into a million pieces until I fall on the tile floor. Grant quickly moves away from the door and brushes his hand against my shoulder.
"Valerie, I don't care if this baby isn't mine. It wasn't a mistake."
Cynthia sobs as she listens to his words. My mind races. Uncontrollable tears spill my eyes making my vision blurry. I don't know if I'm able to do this.
"I love you," he says sympathetically.. which only shatters my heart even more. "Let me be here for you."
"I have an appointment with a clinic in Montana. I wasn't going to say anything."
"You aren't keeping it?" His voice breaks. Cynthia chimes in momentarily. "You can't be serious, Mom. Don't do this."
"It's not right for a child to be brought into this mess. It's my own fucking fault."
"But, it's not the baby's."
I don't have time for this right now. My plan back fired and once again my world comes crashing down onto me.
"It's time to go," I say, standing up from my feet and quickly gather my duffel bag from the floor. Grant tries to stop me by grabbing my arm but I pull away. "I can't."
My daughter opens her mouth, but draws them back into a hard line. She has so many things she wants to say, but she brushes it off by wiping the tears from her face.
Grant stands in the kitchen, watching us as we walk out the front door. I stumble down the steps, never looking behind at him. If I see him one more time, I won't be able to go.
I have to go.
The entire drive to Montana was quiet. Neither of us said a single word. I felt like the child for once when it should be the other way around.
I never keep things from my daughter, besides the Elijah thing. But, this— I have failed her once again. I taught her something that you shouldn't do.
My mistakes laugh in my face.
Pull me down harder every damn time.
Get knocked up by the other brother... check!
How is this okay?
Cynthia's words repeat in my head over and over.
It's not the baby's fault
No, it's not. But, this baby will always be a reminder of it. A time I was stupid.
But, also a time I was in love.
Fuck.
What do I do?
• • •
The next chapter is the epilogue ❣️ Don't forget to vote ❤️
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