Chapter 2 - Secrets Between Us

Vienna’s POV

Last night, he said he’d be back. He didn’t.

And I—God help me—I actually waited.

"Long night, V?" Bella asked, side-eyeing me as I tried to stifle a yawn. Not only was Bella my best friend, she was also my right hand at the bakery. 

We’d built this little dream together. Though if I was honest, that dream had only become reality because of Warren’s generous sponsorship.

I gave a tired nod. "Yeah…" I hesitated, watching her line up a tray of croissants. "Warren didn’t come home last night. Desiree was in the hospital."

Her hands stopped mid-motion. "Oh…" Her voice dropped, gentle now. "Is she okay?"

"She had a miscarriage." The words left my mouth flatter than I intended.

"That’s… that’s awful." Bella frowned, biting her lip. Her gaze flicked to the floor, then back to me. As if she was debating something.

"What is it, Bell?" I asked, studying her face.

She hesitated, then cleared her throat. "I, um… I wasn’t sure if I should even mention this. But I saw Warren and Desiree together last week. At a jewelry store."

I blinked. "A jewelry store?" My stomach tightened. "Doing what?"

She winced. "Just browsing. But they were… close. She kept giggling, touching his arm, leaning into him like—" She shook her head.

I forced a smile, trying to sound nonchalant. "Oh, they’ve always been like that. It’s just their sibling dynamic, you know?"

The words sounded fake in my own ears. But Bella didn’t press me. She just gave me a sad, knowing look and returned to arranging pastries.

I tried to keep my hands busy, but my mind kept circling back to them. Warren and Desiree.

He’d stayed with her all night. After promising he’d come home. And what were they doing at a jewelry store together? Browsing for what? If he was buying something for her—

Ding.

The bell above the door jingled, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. I turned, quickly smoothing down my apron and plastering on a polite smile.

But when I saw who stood in the doorway, my heart stuttered.

Warren.

He looked tired—hospital-tired. His tie was loose, shirt wrinkled. In his hand was one of those tacky flower bouquets from the hospital gift shop.

"Morning," he said, flashing his familiar crooked smile. The one that usually made me forget what I was angry about. But not today.

Bella took one glance between us and mumbled, "I’ll take the deliveries out back." She tactfully disappeared through the kitchen doors.

Warren stepped forward and held the bouquet out to me. 

I didn’t move. "What’s this for?"

His smile faltered slightly. "Look, I’m sorry I didn’t come home last night," he said, his voice low. "I was just trying to be there for Desiree. And your vibe, all the questions—honestly, I think you were overreacting a little."

I raised an eyebrow. Seriously? Was this his attempt at apologizing?

"Well, you didn’t answer me," I said, my voice sharp. "Why wasn’t her boyfriend at the hospital? He should’ve been the one to support her, spend the night with her. Not you."

He sighed, placing the untouched bouquet on the counter. "The truth is, she had a one-night stand. She hooked up with some guy, and when she woke up the next morning—bleeding—he was gone."

I crossed my arms. "That still doesn’t explain who the father is." 

His jaw clenched, eyes narrowing slightly. "She thinks it was her college ex. But the guy disappeared, ghosted her. If I ever find him, I swear…"

I stared at him, the dark glare in his eyes. His protectiveness. His fury. It was… too much. Too personal.

"Right," I said quietly.

He took a breath and stepped closer. "Hey, I love you, Vienna. You know that, right? I care about Desiree, sure. She’s my little sister. But I don’t—can’t—love anyone the way I love you."

He flashed his dazzling smile. His warm brown eyes chipped away at the wall I’d built overnight. I didn’t want to be this jealous, suspicious version of myself. 

Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe my pregnancy hormones were causing the rage, the suspicion.

"I know…" I whispered. "I love you too."

He kissed me, and it was like always—warm, deep, disarming. A rush of emotion swept through me. Maybe this was the right time to tell him.

My hand instinctively drifted to my stomach, still flat, still holding secrets. I opened my mouth.

"Warren, I—"

"You know," he cut in, "I think Desiree’s miscarriage was for the best."

"…What?"

He shrugged, tone casual. "A baby is a huge deal. You can’t just raise one fresh out of college. It would’ve wrecked her life. Kids… they change everything. It’s a twenty-year sentence."

I blinked at him. Did he really just say that?

"Don’t you think a child is a blessing?" I asked quietly. "Even if it’s unexpected?"

His face twisted in thought. "I mean, sure. But they’re expensive, exhausting… Desiree wasn’t ready. Hell, no one really is."

My fingers slipped away from my belly. His words settled over me like frost. He wasn’t ready.

"Oh, by the way, I think Desiree should stay with us for a bit," he added suddenly. 

"Her and Dad are fighting about her post-graduation plans. Stepmom too. Des needs time… and privacy. If our parents find out about the miscarriage—"

"I—I don’t know, Warren…" I hesitated, wrapping my arms around myself. "Is that really a good idea?"

He looked at me sharply. "Why not? She needs help."

I bit my lip. I knew exactly why. Desiree had always blurred the line between stepsister and something else. She touched Warren too much, acted like she knew him better than I ever could. 

Before I could say more, he glanced at his watch. "I have to get back to the hospital. I told her I’d come pick her up."

"I’ll come with you," I said before I could talk myself out of it. "I’m tired of feeling like I’m always in the dark, Warren. I want to be part of this."

He sighed but didn’t argue.

At the hospital, the nurse at the front desk smiled politely. "Miss Desiree is with the doctor right now—getting her prescriptions and final instructions. Shouldn’t be too long."

"Thanks," I said, then nudged Warren. "Let’s wait near maternity. It’s quieter there."

"I’ll meet you there," he replied. "Just grabbing a coffee."

I wandered down the corridor. As I passed the maternity ward, I paused at the large glass window. Rows of swaddled newborns slept in bassinets, little hands curled into fists.

"They’re so tiny," I whispered, a smile tugging at my lips despite everything. My hand drifted to my belly.

Suddenly, I heard Warren’s laugh, echoing softly down the corridor.

I turned, curious, and spotted him a little farther down the hall, deep in conversation with… Dr. Smith?

They were both smiling, their posture relaxed. Dr. Smith even clapped Warren on the shoulder as if they were old friends. Strange...

I watched as the doctor said something, then headed in the opposite direction. Warren gave a casual wave, then turned and walked toward me.

As soon as he reached me, I tilted my head. "How do you know Dr. Smith?"