Chapter 8: The Truth About The Pregnancy
I didn’t sleep that night.
Neither did Emma.
We sat in the living room while Noah slept upstairs.
The distance between us felt bigger than the entire house.
Finally, I spoke.
“What else?””
Emma stared at her hands.
“I was going to tell you.””
“When?””
She looked up.
“I don’t know.””
“That’s the problem.””
My voice was quiet.
“You always say you were going to tell me.””
Tears formed in her eyes.
“I thought if you knew everything at once, you would leave.””
I looked toward the ceiling.
“Our son almost got hurt because you were afraid of losing me.””
She closed her eyes.
“I know.””
“No, Emma. I don’t think you understand.””
I leaned forward.
“You made every decision based on fear. And every decision hurt someone else.””
She nodded slowly.
“You’re right.””
That surprised me.
I expected excuses.
Instead, she looked broken.
“After I left Ryan, I spent years trying to forget that life.””
“Then why was he contacting you?””
“Because he found out about the baby.””
I looked at her.
“How?””
She hesitated.
Then said:
“Because he was following me.””
My entire body went tense.
“Following you?””
“Yes.””
“Did you tell anyone?””
“No.””
“Did you tell me?””
She shook her head.
I stood up.
“Why?””
“Because I thought I could handle it.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You always think you can handle everything.””
She looked down.
“I didn’t want you to see me as damaged.””
I stopped.
Because that word mattered.
Damaged.
That was what she believed about herself.
Not just because of Ryan.
Because of everything before him.
“What happened when he contacted you?””
Emma wiped her face.
“He sent messages.””
“Threats?””
“Sometimes.””
“What did he want?””
She looked toward Noah’s room.
“He wanted to know if the baby was his.””
My heart sank.
“Did you know?””
She immediately looked at me.
“Yes.””
Her answer came too quickly.
“I knew.””
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I knew.””
She swallowed.
“Because I knew he wasn’t.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
“Daniel, I was already pregnant when I met Ryan again.””
I frowned.
The timeline didn’t make sense.
“Then why would he think—”
“Because he wanted a reason to stay in my life.””
She looked terrified.
“He knew I was afraid.””
A sudden realization hit me.
“The bathroom.””
Emma looked away.
“What about it?””
“He wanted you to choose.””
She went silent.
I stepped closer.
“Did Ryan put that idea in your head?””
Her silence was answer enough.
“Emma.””
She broke down.
“He kept telling me that after the baby came, you would leave me.””
My hands curled into fists.
“He convinced you that?””
“He said you would eventually realize I was too broken.””
I shook my head.
“He manipulated you.””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I was ashamed.””
I sat back down.
For the first time, I saw the full picture.
A woman drowning in fear.
A man from her past pulling her deeper.
A newborn caught in the middle.
But understanding didn’t erase what happened.
My phone rang.
It was the hospital.
I answered immediately.
“Hello?””
A nurse spoke.
“Mr. Carter, I’m calling about your son’s records.””
My heart tightened.
“Is something wrong?””
“No.””
She paused.
“But there is something unusual.””
“What?””
“We received a request for Noah’s medical information.””
“From who?””
She hesitated.
Then said:
“From someone listed as the biological father.””
I looked at Emma.
She looked terrified.
“Daniel…”
May you like
The nurse continued.
“The name on the request is Ryan Mitchell.””
