CHAPTER FOURTEEN: THE REVELATION

Elena made it to her car before the tears started. She sat in the driver's seat, hands shaking, trying to breathe through the pain.

Her phone rang. For a moment, she thought it might be Gabriel, already breaking his promise to give her space.

But it was Nathaniel.

"Hey," she answered, trying to steady her voice.

"How did it go?" he asked gently.

"I told him to leave me alone."

"Good. Are you okay?"

"No." The word came out as a sob. "Nathaniel, why does doing the right thing hurt so much?"

"Because you still love him, Elena. And love doesn't just stop because someone hurt you."

"I wish it did."

"I know. Where are you? I'll come get you."

"I'm fine. I just need a minute."

"Elena…"

"I'm pregnant, Nathaniel. I can't fall apart every time Gabriel says he loves me. I have to be strong for them."

There was a pause on the other end. Then Nathaniel said carefully, "Are you sure you don't want to tell him? About the babies?"

"I'm sure."

"It's going to be harder to hide as you get further along.