5

Jake

Seven months later, I’m still thinking about how much everything has changed.

It’s been seven months since I last heard from Kiara. The last time I saw her was when I rejected her.

I remember how her legs buckled from the pain after the rejection. The psychological pain I caused her had struck deep. Her back, her long brown hair, the sound of her heels hitting the floor, and the sweet scent of her perfume were the last things I recorded of her in my mind.

When I saw her leave, determined and firm, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. A pain I never thought I would feel after letting her go, after learning she had cheated on me with my brother, Thomas.

There had been so much hatred inside me when Irina told me the truth, with proof. I had to make a decision and separate from Kiara. She betrayed me. I trusted her, and she stabbed me in the back.

With my own brother? How could she do that to me?

I’ve barely had any contact with Thomas. The only time we spoke was three months ago, when we had to meet virtually for a business matter. I had no choice. Since then, we haven’t exchanged a single word.

However, our mother organized a family dinner. She had just recovered from cancer that almost killed her, and she wanted her two sons to sit together at the table. I refused at first, but she was persistent, and I had to agree.

“You came!” she said, hugging me. She placed a sweet kiss on my cheek. I had to bend down so she could reach.

“How are you, Mom?” I smiled back, though I felt uncomfortable.

I just wanted the night to be over as soon as possible.

Mom glanced at Irina and offered a polite smile, but I knew what she truly thought about her. When she found out Kiara and I had separated, the news hit her hard. She never liked Irina for me.

“I’m fine. Come in... Dinner will be ready soon,” she said.

I walked in slowly, taking in the house. I had grown up here, but with Thomas around, it didn’t feel as warm as it used to. I reached the dining room, the delicious smell of food drifting from the kitchen. Thomas wasn’t there yet.

“Hasn’t he arrived?” I turned to my mother.

“Thomas? No. He’s coming with his new girlfriend.”

Irina took my hand as soon as I sat down at the table. Mom sat at the head, in Dad’s old seat.

“What are your plans for your relationship?”

“To get married, Mom. I told you a month ago. We’re planning to start a family.”

“Yes, ma’am. I love your son very much,” Irina said with her dazzling smile.

But Mom showed no real emotion about our engagement.

The doorbell rang. Mom quickly got up to open it herself. My body tensed instantly at the sound. Thomas was here, and I didn’t want to see his stupid face after what he’d done to me.

“Are you okay?” Irina asked.

“I don’t want to see him, Irina.”

“I thought you’d gotten over Kiara. I thought you didn’t love her anymore, Jake.”

“I don’t love her. I’m over it. But that doesn’t change the fact that I hate him.”

Thomas entered the kitchen, looking as imposing as ever. Our eyes met immediately, a silent challenge sparking between us. The rivalry thickened the air. Thomas looked surprised to see me there.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, turning toward Mom.

But Mom wasn’t behind him. It was Kiara.

My heart stopped when I saw her. As stunning and graceful as ever, with those eyes that could pierce right through your chest. But it wasn’t just seeing her beauty againit , was the sight of her rounded, swollen belly.

She was pregnant.

Kiara was pregnant.

“What is she doing here?” Irina asked, rising from her seat.

Kiara looked just as shocked to see me, but her face also showed fear. Instinctively, her hands went to her belly, caressing it as if she were protecting whatever was inside her.

“You… you’re pregnant?” I frowned.

I looked at Thomas, who quickly took Kiara’s hand and stepped in front of her to block my view. I felt my blood boil.

Mom had said Thomas would bring his girlfriend. Was she the girlfriend? Kiara?

Then, this scene proved that Irina had never lied. Irina had told the truth about Thomas and Kiara. They had been together all along.

“So this is why you brought me here, Mom? To see that Thomas is with Kiara?” I snapped.

“Sweetheart, I had no idea about this. I just found out like you did.”

I felt heaviness pressing on my head and chest. A strange, sharp feeling crept down my spine and spread through me.

“Whose baby is that?” I blurted out without even thinking.