I let the tears fall without realizing it. I hurt my friend, who's been through a lot, and now I'm beating myself. "Does Liam know?" She managed to say. "I mean, that's why you ask for him?" I wiped my eyes and sniffled. "No, I wanted to. But I couldn't. You heard the way he talked to me. He doesn't fucking care about me. If I tell him about his only child, do you think he will be with me just for the baby? Yes, he would, but there's no love for me in his heart." I continued to wipe off the tears around my eyes and cheeks. They just kept on falling. "Liam isn't that kind of guy," Effie said, rubbing my back. "He and his brothers are not that low to do that. They are loyal. Ohana. I only know Logan for a couple of months, and we are still new to this relationship, but I won't lie. It's funny to have a boyfriend, and I love him, and he's the same. He and I will live under one roof, and I'm nervous about that. Since we are together, we are sharing a room instead." She chuckled. "Athen

I rushed to the nearest bathroom, locked the door, and threw up. I didn't eat much, but being pregnant and lying to people made it worst for me to continue this act.No, it's the pregnancy.Once I had released my worries in a pile of odorous substances, I flushed it and washed my mouth and face. I let the water run as I looked at myself in the mirror, thinking about what kind of person I was. What am I doing? I laid my hand over my stomach and caressed it.All I wanted was for my grandparents to know that I didn't want to marry Kareem, even though he was my betroth, given the promise by my mother. Suddenly, my grandparents weren't happy that I was engaged to another guy they had never met. They wanted an entire interrogation of Liam because he wasn't what the family wanted. But now they seemed to be getting along, and the acting paid off.I sat on the bathroom tile floor and just sat there, waiting for what exactly? Should I go back and watch a show I don't like or continue the role a

Birdie closed the door behind us as I felt the warm feeling of this house. It has been a long time since we visited, and I could never forget. "So, Lily, do you have a boyfriend yet?"My body flinched at her question. "Boyfriend? I don't have time for a boyfriend," I laughed nervously."Really? You are grown now, eighteen, practically a young adult. Don't tell me you don't have someone in mind." Birdie frowned. "Is your daddy not letting you date? If he is, then I'll give him a good lecture about-""No!" I grabbed her arm, stopping her. I looked down, squeezed my eyes shut, took a deep breath, and lifted my head. "No, my dads are okay with me dating it just...not right now since it's my senior year, and I have lots of things to do, like looking for a good college."Birdie made a face and studied me for a whole minute. I felt so uncomfortable with her stare that I was sweating, then sighed. She smiled as she reached for my cheek and patted it softly. "I understand. You are responsible

We stopped at the restaurant called Saucy's Mama Pizzeria. It's been a long time since the family went here for lunch or dinner. Once we stepped foot inside the owner, Pamela recognized my Dad as they reminisced about the time we came by every family trip, and the first thing we went to was Saucy's Mama Pizzeria.Pamela spotted me and couldn't believe how I had grown so much; she complimented my beauty and asked if I had a boyfriend yet. She also mentioned me looking so glow it almost made me and my dads choke on air as we cleared our throats. Birdie stared at us suspiciously, and Dad quickly changed the atmosphere by asking Pamela about our table.Once seated, both of my dads ordered their usual dish, grand ordered hers, and as for me, I decided to try a different meal. We got our drinks, then minutes later, we had our food. Daddy had rolled lasagna mix with manicotti shells stuffed with cheese ricotta mix, pepperoni, and Italian sausage. Dad loves his order, just a garden salad with

Once again, we answered at the same time. We glanced at each other and faced the other way as my face heated up."There they go again," Seth sighed, tutted, and groaned. "They replied at the same time and still deny it.""Shut up! Seth," Liam and I said in unison."See what I mean," Seth laughed, making Liam and I snarl at him."Well, chipmunk, is he, or is he not your boyfriend?" Mark asked, and Jordan stepped in before I could deny it again."And who are you to ask?""And who are you calling chipmunk?" Liam's body was tense, and he didn't like the idea of another man calling him a nickname. I could feel my face heating. There was a tiny bit of concern from Liam the way he had his back in front of me, using it as a shield.I felt touched."Hey, man, I don't want any trouble," Mark flung his hands up. "I call her chipmunk because that is what I called her when she was just a little girl.""Lily, you know this guy?" Athena asked.I sighed and nodded, then stepped in between Liam, who h