AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There’s a long palpable silence. I grit my teeth and try not to cry as I wait for her to say something. Anything at all.
“Is Spencer the father?” She clears her throat. “I mean, have you guys been hooking up since your breakup?”
A part of me wants to cringe at the thought of being pregnant by Spencer, but the other part of me wishes it was him. At least I know where to find him. He’s a total dick, but he’d be by my side until we worked this out. Or maybe not.
“It’s not his,” I reply. Recalling that Spencer and I had stopped sharing a bed long before we broke up. My eyes and throat are burning. I’m close to shivering. “It’s the guy I met at the bar a month ago.”
“The one you told me about?”
“Yes.” I nod my head slowly and sink onto one of the couches in the room. My eyes flicker over to the three-seater where Brandon and I had shared an intimate moment. The memories come rushing back, eliciting a mix of emotions as I reflect on every touch, kiss, and word that was exchanged. If only I had known how things would turn out, perhaps I would have been more cautious.
“So, you’re pregnant by a guy you don’t know?” She’s not judging me, but I get the feeling she’s pissed. Not at me, but at Brandon for leaving the way he did.
“Yes.” For some reason, that’s the only word I can bring myself to say.
She’s quiet again, thinking. “How about checking the bar where you met him? He could be there.”
“I doubt it. He hasn’t been there for over a month now.” I’ve checked that bar almost every weekend, there’s been no sign of him or his friends. It’s almost as if they were ghosts. I asked the bartender from that night, and he asked if Brandon had hurt me. When I told him no, he turned me away saying he couldn’t give out any information unless it regarded my safety.
Dammit, I should’ve lied or something.
“I know this is going to be hard on you, Anya,” Gianna says softly. “But you need to decide if you’re going to keep the baby or—”
“I won’t do it,” I blurt, my voice trembling with anger. How dare she suggest such a thing? My options are limited, but killing this innocent life growing inside me is not one of them. The thought alone makes bile rise in my throat. “No, there’s nothing to think about. This baby deserves a chance at life.”
“Don’t be rash, darling. You’re still so young and have your whole future ahead of you.”
I lean against the comfortable couch and gaze up at the ceiling fan as it spins above me. She's right, I am young with my whole life ahead of me. This pregnancy was not part of my plans, especially not under these circumstances, from a fleeting encounter. Yet, I cannot bring myself to end this growing life inside of me.
"Are you still there?" she asks. "Please say something."
"I'm keeping it," I declare firmly. "Even though I don't know who the father is, this child belongs to me as well." Tears cascade down my cheeks. "I will finish school and find a job. I will raise my baby."
CHAPTER 6
Anya
TWO YEARS LATER
Ialways thought I would graduate and get a job in a big vet hospital, but moving into a small town has its own perks. I can be part of a close-knit community, go for a stroll at midnight, and work part-time in a small vet clinic that belongs to Professor White.
More importantly, I’ll have enough time to look after my little munchkin.
Kira’s giggle captures my attention. I crane my neck toward the living room, where she’s sprawled on the monologue rug, playing with Gianna. We moved into Meadowvale last night, and I’m still unpacking the things we brought with us.
When I told my parents I was pregnant, they immediately cut their travels short and stayed with me. I am forever grateful to them for taking care of me and Kira, but I couldn't continue to keep them around and not live the life they want. I struggled working a nine-to-five job and taking care of Kira at the same time. Getting a nanny was expensive. I decided to move since Gianna is here.
Two weeks ago, Gianna told me about an opening in a small vet clinic in Meadowvale, where she has lived for two years now. The pay wasn’t like what I earned in the city, but it was fair considering I’d be working just five hours a day and I would get a free one bed apartment to stay in.
I quickly jumped on the offer and to my surprise, the clinic actually belonged to Mr. White. Small world.
“Gigi, can you help me unpack?” I ask as I clean out the kitchen cabinets. I’ve been busy all morning and Gianna had offered to help, but she hasn’t moved a hand since she came in. She’s obsessed with Kira and won’t do anything but play with her.
Gianna playfully pokes Kira's nose and my daughter responds with a joyful giggle, trying to poke her aunt's nose in return. At only one year and two months old, she already resembles Brandon so much that it's uncanny. They share the same warm brown eyes and dark hair, as well as an infectious smile and mischievous nature.
Brandon.
I’ve not mentioned that name in two years, but my heart still skips a beat whenever I think of him. I went to the bar a couple more times after I found out I was pregnant; still, I couldn’t get anything on him. It’s like he just vanished into thin air.
