Chapter 62
Emily’s POV
I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, still trying to come to terms with the fact that I was pregnant. It felt surreal, like the world had shifted beneath my feet, and I hadn’t quite caught my balance yet.
My hands instinctively went to my stomach, resting gently on the life growing inside of me. I hadn’t planned for this–not again. Just like when I was pregnant with Zane, this baby was unexpected. But just like then, I knew deep down that I loved this child.
As if sensing my need for distraction, my phone rang, vibrating across the countertop. I glanced at the screen–Nina. For the first time in a week, I picked up.
“Emily! Finally!” Nina’s voice was a mixture of relief and concern. “I’ve been calling you for days. Are you okay?”
I let out a slow breath, sinking onto the edge of the bed. “I found out I’m pregnant a week ago.”
The silence on the other end stretched for a beat, and then Nina’s soft. “Oh. Emily…”
“I didn’t want this,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “It wasn’t supposed
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to happen. I missed one birth control pill–just one, Nina. How could this happen again?”
Nina’s tone shifted, firm but comforting. “Listen to me, you didn’t plan for it, but it’s happening. And you love this baby, don’t you?”
I blinked back tears, nodding as if she could see me. “Yes, I do. But I’m terrified.”
“I know you are,” she said softly. “But you’ve done this before. You raised Zane, and you’ve been an amazing mother. You’ll figure this out too. You
don’t have to do it alone.”
I scoffed lightly, a bitter laugh escaping. “I keep pushing you away, and yet here you are.”
“Because I’m not going anywhere,” she replied without missing a beat. “You’ve been through hell and back, and I’m going to be here whether you.
like it or not.”
Her words brought a small smile to my lips, a warmth that began to spread through the coldness I had been feeling. “Thanks, Nina. I just don’t know how to move forward.”
“Step by step.” Nina said, her voice firm. “One day at a time. But promise me you’ll stop shutting people out, especially Keith. He’s been trying.”
I sighed, glancing toward the window. “Yeah, he’s been different. Visiting me every day, bringing a psychologist to help me… It’s just hard
Chapter 62
to believe he’s the same person.”
“That’s because he’s not,” Nina pointed out gently. “People change, Emily. Maybe it’s time to give him a chance.”
Before I could respond, the front door creaked
, and I heard the sound of little feet running down the hallway. “Mom!” Zane’s excited voice echoed through the house, and I barely had time to put my phone down before he threw himself into my arms.
“Zane!” I hugged him tightly, both of us bursting into tears as we clung to each other. I hadn’t realized how much I needed him until that moment- his small arms wrapped around my neck, his familiar scent filling my senses. My heart swelled with a love so deep, it hurt.
“I missed you so much.” Zane whispered, his voice muffled against my shoulder.
“I missed you too, sweetheart,” I murmured, holding him even tighter. “I missed you so, so much.”
We stayed like that for a long time, both of us too overwhelmed with emotion to speak. When we finally pulled away, I wiped the tears from his cheeks, smiling at him through my own.
“Guess what?” Zane grinned, his eyes lighting up. “Dad said you needed. me, so he brought me back!”
I blinked, surprised. “Keith?”
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Zane nodded enthusiastically. “He said it was really important for me to be with you.”
My heart tightened, a rush of gratitude filling me. “He did?”
“Yeah!” Zane’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “And guess what else? I know you’re pregnant, Mom. Can I have a little sister? Please?”
His innocent joy was infectious, easing the anxiety that had been gnawing at me for days. I found myself laughing softly, brushing a strand of hair away from his face. “We’ll see, Zane. We’ll see.”
Zane’s happiness was contagious, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a sense of calm settle over me. Keith had brought Zane back -he had known what I needed even when I hadn’t.
Later that evening, Keith and I sat on the porch while Zane played in the yard. The air was still, the sun setting in the distance, casting a soft glow over everything. I glanced over at Keith, my heart heavy with questions. “Is it safe for Zane to be back now?”
Keith nodded, his expression serious. “Zane’s no longer a target, Emily. You don’t have to worry about that.”
A wave of relief washed over me, and I exhaled slowly. “Thank you, Keith. I didn’t realize how much I needed him.”
“I’d do anything for you.” Keith said quietly, his gaze steady on mine.
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“You know that, right?”
I smiled faintly, though a part of me still couldn’t fully trust it. “You’ve changed a lot. I don’t know what happened, but… thank you.”
Keith chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Maybe I’ve fried my brain. somewhere along the way.”
I found myself laughing, the tension between us easing for a moment. But then, the weight of everything came rushing back. There was still one major issue looming over me–the fact that I needed to visit Frank in prison tomorrow.
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