Chapter 70

Four months later, I was swollen. Being six months pregnant was hard. Being pregnant with twins was harder. And the high-risk pregnancy—apparently, my uterus wasn't growing large enough, and one baby's growth was restricted—was the hardest. Not to mention the overwhelming hospital and medical bills.

I couldn't use my old insurance, and since I lacked coverage, I had to pay everything out of pocket. I'd always thought pregnancy would be the hardest part, but it was the cost of ultrasounds, blood tests, doctor visits, and injections.

I worked for two months, and almost every cent I earned, along with my savings, went to the doctor's clinic. What little I managed to save went towards two tickets back to my hometown for Luna and me.

Despite my new neighbors' kindness since my pregnancy became obvious, my initial assessment remained: this wasn't a suitable place to raise two infants. Besides, with only one room for me and another for Luna, I didn't even have space for cribs. I hadn't even bought cribs yet.

In the last week of my second trimester (after which travel would be prohibited), we flew back. We landed in the city and then traveled four hours to reach my hometown.

My grandfather's house, now mine according to his will (though I still struggled to accept that), was dusty from being shut up for six months. We spent the night cleaning.

The rest of the week, I transformed the guest room into a nursery. I avoided going outside, so Luna bought me paint. I painted it a pastel blue with white clouds and stars. I envisioned a hanging moon lamp and two cribs close together, but getting those would require moving furniture, and I wasn't ready for that. I didn't want to meet people.

That night, after dinner, there was a knock.

I exchanged a look with Luna. Nobody knew I was here.

"Stay here," Luna said, grabbing a knife and answering the door. I'd been careless returning after my kidnapping, but if this person's problem was my connection to Gabriel… I wasn't his wife anymore. I didn't think he'd come after me, given that the divorce had been publicized months ago. But I still needed to be careful, especially pregnant. This was partly why I hadn't left the house much.

Luna answered. "Yes?"

"Um… Who are you?" a voice asked.

"You came to my house. I should be asking you that."

"Your house? Did… did Sophia sell the house to you?" The voice was increasingly familiar, even from a distance. My eyebrows furrowed, and I got up from the couch with difficulty. Six months pregnant does that to you.

"Sophia? You know her?" Luna asked.

"Yes. I was one of her best friends. My name's Sam. Look, if you have her number or… anywhere I can reach her, that would be great—"

A pang of guilt hit me, and Luna looked at me hesitantly. I nodded.

Luna stepped aside. "Here? She's here?" Sam's voice was hesitant, but his steps were quick.

He froze upon entering, seeing me walk toward him.

"Soph." His eyes flickered from me to my belly, then back to me. "You're…"

"Pregnant?" I offered.

"Here," he breathed, his muscles relaxing. "You're here." He embraced me, and I hugged him back.

"Where were you?" he asked. "I called you everywhere. I went to the city, to your house. I… I filed a police report, Soph. Fuck."

My face fell, guilt returning. "I'm sorry. I… Grandpa, and then the divorce, and then this…"

"It's okay," he said, offering a small smile. "I'm so glad you're here. And you're okay. Welcome home?"

"Thanks," I smiled back. "Dinner?"

"No, no," he chuckled. "I've had a really hectic day at work. I just saw the lights on a couple of days ago and couldn't resist checking if it was you."

I smiled.

He continued, "I'll come back, yes? Tomorrow? You can tell me everything."

"Sam," I said hesitantly, stopping him. "You said you went to the city… to my house."

He nodded.

"Did you… did you see Gabriel by any chance?"

"Yes," his lips thinned. "He wasn't alone."

My heart sank, breaking anew.

"He never deserved you, Soph," Sam added. I tried to nod or smile, but nothing came. "What are your plans tomorrow?"

"Oh, I have to pick out a crib."

"At Mom and Me?" he asked.

"Yeah, the only one."

"Can I come along?"

My eyes narrowed. "Aren't you working tomorrow?"

"It's Saturday, Soph."

"Oh," All the days blurred together lately, especially since I'd been busy painting the nursery. "Sure," I smiled. "Only if you want to."

"I want to," he smiled back. "I'll pick you up at noon?"

Chapter 70 (continued)

"Bye," he waved, and I waved back. Luna shut the door behind him, frowning.

"What is it?" I asked, returning to the couch.

"I don't like him," she said.

I chuckled. "Gabriel didn't either."

She shrugged.

"I've just missed having friends," I told her. She mumbled something about understanding before disappearing into the kitchen. I opened my phone to Alice's number, the urge to call overwhelming. But I couldn't.

I'd hurt her by disappearing, and she'd moved to the city. I'd promised never to do that again, and yet I had. I needed to explain my mental health struggles and how I'd spent the last few months rebuilding my will to live and look toward the future. I didn't have the energy to maintain friendships; everything I had went into earning a living and surviving. I knew explanations were due, and I would offer them when they no longer felt like excuses to myself.

I closed my phone, retreating to my room when I felt the urge to urinate for the sixth time that hour.

Alone, the weight of Sam's words—about Gabriel not being alone—settled in. I threw up my dinner and let sleep be a small bandage over the hollowness inside.