Chapter 19

The morning sun crept in slowly, casting soft golden streaks across the curtains. I was buried beneath my sheets, sleep still clinging to my limbs, when the loud sound of my phone tore through the quiet. Groaning, I reached for it blindly on the nightstand.

Mom.

My breath caught. I stared at the screen as it vibrated in my hand, panic rushing into my chest. I hadn’t spoken to her in a while not since the pregnancy, not since I met Drew. And now it hit me like a crashing wave.

I hadn’t told them.

My parents had always been my safe place. Supportive. Loving. The kind of parents you didn’t have to earn love from because they gave it so freely. And yet, here I was, holding onto a truth so heavy I didn’t know how to begin.

I had always felt free to talk to my parents especially my mom, you could even say my mom is my best friend.

Growing up I told her l every little tiny detail even when I had a crush on a guy. She always listened and never judged me or made me feel like I was stupid but this time around it felt different.

How do you tell your parents that their daughter whom they raised well with so much love, the one they prayed for every night, had gotten pregnant from a one night stand with her boss?

The phone stopped ringing. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. But the relief was short-lived, because barely seconds later, it rang again.

Still Mom.

This time, I sat up, heart pounding, hand shaking and answered. "Hello?"

"Lila!" Her voice came through warm and cheerful, the kind of tone that made my chest ache. "I was beginning to think you forgot about me."

I tried to smile through the weight in my throat. "Hey, Mom. I’m sorry. I’ve just been... busy."

"Busy, hmm? Well, that’s not a bad thing," she chuckled. "I just wanted to hear your voice. It’s been too long."

There was a rustling on the other end, followed by my father’s familiar baritone. "Is that my girl? Lila, sweetheart!"

I swallowed hard. "Hi, Dad."

"How’s our star child? How are you doing? What has been happening with you? I mean it's been ages so tell us everything we've missed so far. Are you eating well? Sleeping okay? You haven’t sent photos. Your mother is even threatening to raid your apartment." Multiple questions came piling in and I didn't even know where to start from.

I laughed softly. The sound felt strange coming from me like it had been buried too long. "I’m fine, really. Just... a lot going on."

"Good things, I hope?" Mom asked.

I hesitated for a beat, then gave them something true, just not all of it. "I landed a big contract. With Sinclair Enterprises."

There was a pause, and then an explosion of excitement.

"What! Lila, that’s amazing!" Mom exclaimed.

"Way to go star girl, that’s a huge one," Dad said. "We’re so proud of you. You always said you’d do something big, and here you are doing it."

Their joy came through the phone like a warm embrace, and it made the ache in my chest even sharper. I closed my eyes, trying to breathe past the tightness.

"Thanks," I whispered. "It’s... been a lot. But I’m grateful."

Mom’s voice softened. "You sure everything’s okay, honey? You sound... different."

I bit the inside of my cheek. "I’m just tired, that’s all. Work’s been intense."

"Okay," she said slowly, not entirely convinced but not pushing. "Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself. Don’t push too hard. And don’t forget to eat something green."

Dad chimed in with a chuckle. "Or something with cheese. That works too."

I laughed again, tears stinging my eyes now. I wanted to tell them. I wanted to let it spill, every secret, every ache. But I couldn’t. Not yet.

"I love you both," I said quietly.

"We love you more," Mom replied. "Always."

When the call ended, I sat in silence, the screen still glowing in my hand. The guilt clawed at me from the inside. They had never judged me. Never withheld love. And still, I couldn't tell them. I was too ashamed. Too afraid of disappointing them.

I wiped at my cheeks and climbed out of bed.

A buzz pulled me from my thoughts.

Max: "Are we still meeting today? What time works for you?"

I stared at the message for a moment, then typed back:

Me: "3pm. Let’s meet at Camber Café. It’s close to my place."

I needed the proximity. I didn’t trust myself not to cry again.

With a sigh, I started to move around the apartment. My space looked just as I felt, chaotic. Clothes heap everywhere, dishes piled, the remains of a stressful week.

I put on some music, something soft, upbeat and began to clean. The rhythm of folding clothes, wiping counters, and sweeping floors gave me a sense of control.

I needed this. A reset.

The least I could do was start with a clean space.

By the time I stepped out to meet Max, the apartment was clean, the air smelled like lavender, and my spirit felt slightly lighter. Cleaning did it's magic.

Camber Café buzzed with soft conversation and the scent of roasted coffee beans. Max was already seated by the window, tapping his fingers against a mug. He stood as I approached.

"Hey," he said gently.

"Hi," I replied, sliding into the chair opposite him.

“How are you feeling today” he asked.

“I'm fine, thank you. What about you?”

“I'm okay.”

Just the the waiter came to our table to take our orders.

After the waiter took our order, Max leaned forward, eyes steady.

"Lila, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. And... I’m sorry. For everything. For how I reacted. For disappearing when you needed support. I was overwhelmed, but that’s not an excuse. You trusted me, and I broke that."

His voice cracked slightly, and it caught me off guard. There was no smugness, no defense, just pure, aching sincerity.

"You didn’t deserve that," he continued. "You’re carrying a child, alone, scared... and all I did was make it harder. I regret that. Deeply."

My chest tightened. The walls I’d put up to protect myself felt like they were crumbling under the weight of his words.

I looked at him, really looked. "Thank you for saying that. It means more than you know. I forgive you."

He exhaled, like he’d been holding his breath since the moment he walked into the café.

"I'm sorry if I'm intruding but does Drew know?" he asked, voice softer now.

I shook my head. "No. He doesn’t. And I don’t know if I ever want him to. I can’t survive that kind of rejection again. Once was enough."

Max reached for my hand. "You won’t go through this alone. I promise. I’ll be here for you, and for the baby."

I pulled my hand away gently. "Max... I appreciate that. But don’t feel like you have to carry this with me."

He smiled, unwavering. "I don’t mind. Some things are worth carrying."

Our snacks and drinks arrived, breaking the moment. We ate slowly, letting the warmth of the café and the simple comfort of shared silence fill the space between us.

When we stepped outside, the sky had shifted to soft gold. Max glanced at the street.

"There’s a park nearby and the weather is cool," he said. "Want to walk a bit?"

"Sure."

The air was crisp, carrying the scent of distant flowers and fresh grass. Max made small jokes, and I laughed in spite of myself. I felt... lighter. Still hurting, still unsure, but less alone.

We reached the park and sat on a bench, watching children chase each other, parents call out names, and laughter dance through the trees.

Max was quiet for a while. Then he turned to me, eyes steady.

"Lila... can I ask you something important? Promise me you won't get mad"

I turned to him, curious. “I won't get mad, you can go ahead and ask”

"What would you say... if I wanted to take responsibility for you and the baby?"