Keisha asked in a soothing voice, "Keeley, can you tell me what you're feeling right now? I want to help, but I need to know what you want."

Tears filled Keeley's eyes as she saw the genuine compassion on Keisha's face. "I have to keep this baby, but…"

"Will the father not support it?" Keisha asked.

"No, he'd marry me tomorrow if he could," Keeley replied.

"Is he abusive?"

Keeley shook her head. "No, he's very good to me."

"Then what's the problem?"

Too mortified to explain fully, Keeley gave Keisha the bare facts. They had been together before; he'd been cold and distant, leaving a trail of misunderstandings (a massive understatement). He'd returned, changed, but Keeley wasn't in love with him—she'd even hated him. Over time, she'd grown accustomed to him, considering him a friend, but feared a repeat of the past if they committed again.

Keisha furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of it. "And you're staying with him because your dad is allergic to cats?"

"Yes," Keeley said miserably. "And I was actually having fun, forgetting the reasons we didn't work out. I can't marry him." She added silently, "Not again."

Keisha said, "I'm on your side, no matter what. Everything I say is to clarify your options, okay?" Waiting for Keeley's nod, she continued:

"If you keep the baby, legally it's half his, requiring a custody arrangement. Even without marriage, you'll deal with him regularly for at least eighteen years, plus special events. As a single mom, dating, socializing, and having a life will be much harder, especially financially. You don't have your own place or a post-graduation job lined up. Even with child support, it will be tough; daycare and after-school programs will be necessary while you work. I'm telling you this because my sister experienced something similar—a friends-with-benefits situation where the father supported the child but wouldn't marry her."

Taking Keeley's hands, Keisha said, "Consider which is harder: staying with someone good to you but whom you don't love, or handling it alone but still co-parenting."

Keeley was unsure. She couldn't escape Aaron; the universe seemed determined to reunite them. She could marry him, enjoying his kindness, but risk her former in-laws' wrath. Or she could avoid marriage but still co-parent, creating an unstable environment for the baby. That wasn't fair. This was her—her foolish—choice, and she had to accept the consequences.

Keeley looked up ruefully. "I know what I have to do. But how do I tell him?"

At that moment, the door clicked open, and Jeffrey entered, realizing he'd interrupted a charged moment. He awkwardly placed a hand on the back of his neck. "I should just go."

Keeley sighed. "It's fine. The major drama's over. It's your house; you shouldn't be locked out."

He nervously sat beside Keeley. "Are you alright?"

She decided to tell him. "I'm pregnant," she mumbled.

Jeffrey's eyes widened. "I didn't even know you were dating anyone."

She leaned into Keisha's shoulder, mortified. "I'm not."

His fiancée glared, causing him to panic. "Not that there's anything wrong with that! Um…should I congratulate you or not?"

"Go ahead," she said quietly. "I'm keeping it. A baby is worth celebrating."

"Congratulations!"

His awkwardness was almost comical, but Keeley was too stressed to laugh. How would she tell Aaron?

Keisha cleared her throat. "Before we were interrupted…you were asking how to tell him?"

Keeley nodded.

"You could say it casually…but if he wants to marry you and knows you don't, it could lead to a heated discussion. Practice what you'll say."

Jeffrey squinted, confused. "Wait. Who wants to marry you? Why haven't I heard about this? I thought I was one of your best friends."

Keeley smiled wryly. "I haven't told anyone. One friend figured it out because he talked to Aaron about me without mentioning my name."

"So…who is it?"

His fiancée smacked his arm. "You don't ask a girl who the father is!"

Keeley reassured Keisha, "It's fine; he'll figure it out. It's just embarrassing because he already knows him."

Jeffrey's squinting intensified. "I don't know any guys you know."

Then it hit him. He jumped up in shock. "Aaron Hale?! You're pregnant by Aaron freaking Hale? And he already wanted to marry you?!"

Keisha was bewildered. "Who's Aaron Hale?"

Jeffrey paced, exasperated. "You wouldn't know, but he's one of the richest, most powerful men in the city, and he was obsessed with Keeley in high school." He turned to Keeley. "I had no idea you were still in contact with him! I thought you hated him."

Keeley looked down guiltily. "He's different. He's really nice to me, and I have fun with him."

Jeffrey slumped onto the couch. "Nice? Fun? He's terrifying." (He had been, especially to Jeffrey for dating Keeley to the Valentine's Day dance.)

"He's not like that around me. He's warm and considerate."

Jeffrey shook his head. "I'd have to see it to believe it. Does this mean I'll have to see the Ice King whenever I see you?"

Keisha laughed. "It takes a lot to scare this one. You've caught yourself quite a man, girl!"

Keeley scowled; they were teasing her.

"He's not that bad. He has normal friends. He organized a bachelor party, played paintball, and drinks like a normal guy. He even gets along with my dad."

"Whoa, he hangs out with your dad? I thought you weren't dating him," Jeffrey said, awestruck.

"It's complicated. But how do I tell him?"

Jeffrey shrugged. "If he wants to marry you, make it special. Be romantic. Let him know you're cool with spending your life with him. Don't show reluctance! He might murder you!"

"He's not going to murder me!" (Though she didn't want to sadden him.) She needed the right words. Aaron knew she didn't love him. Telling him she'd stay and raise the child if he continued supporting her might work. His romantic suggestion had merit; she had an idea, requiring a week's wait.

"I figured it out," she announced. "Can we change the topic? I don't get to see you often."

Her friends exchanged a glance and said "Sure" in unison, suggesting board games. A good distraction. She didn't want to think about the baby until she returned to New York. She needed to live in the moment.

Keeley couldn't wait until she returned. Jeffrey and Keisha were great distractions, but on the bus home, the thoughts wouldn't stop. She cradled her flat stomach. This was where everything had gone wrong before. What if Aaron's family found out? They'd scheme against her again.

'Mommy's going to protect you this time, baby,' she thought fiercely. Even if it meant giving birth in New Jersey, she wouldn't let Alistair Hale's influence near her child.

She tried to imagine Aaron's reaction but couldn't. The first time, he'd been emotionally closed off; his face as expressive as a rock. A pleased smirk, but that was it. This time, it would mean more because of the baby they lost. She wasn't worried about his reaction; she was worried about being trapped as Mrs. Hale again.

She took deep breaths. Aaron's security had increased dramatically; his father didn't even know where he lived. His last society party was Lacy Knighton's birthday in April—to humiliate her. He wasn't part of that world anymore; she wouldn't have to return.

He'd supported her dreams; they'd share assets, so she could accept his funding for her research. She could stay in his luxurious apartment, and see Valentina, Jennica, and her dad regularly. This was a good deal.

So why did she feel hollow? Because it felt forced. Her choice was gone, replaced by cosmic chance. No matter what, she was stuck with Aaron. She might as well choose the easiest path for her child. Her dad would be thrilled, as would Aaron. The only loser was her.

Keeley would live a decent life, but not the one she'd chosen. She was a puppet to the universe, feeling powerless. She tried to focus on the positives—the things to look forward to with her baby. Last time, they hadn't even gotten to naming it.

(Note: The website promotion at the end was removed as it was irrelevant to the text cleanup.)