Page 242 of Wicked Brutal

“I know, baby.”

“I was so scared. I couldn’t let him hurt Tobias. What if I—”

“No.” Mom pulls back and takes my face between her hands. “No. You do not do that to yourself. Do you hear me?”

Tears blur her face. I nod.

“Does Ryan know?”

I freeze. She sees it. And there goes another piece.

Her eyes close. “It’s Ryan’s.”

I swallow. “Yes.”

She presses her lips together. For one horrible second, I can’t read her. Then she starts crying harder.

“Mom?”

“Does he know?”

“Yes.”

“How long?”

“Since Valentine’s Day.”

“Valentine’s—” She stops. Looks at my stomach again. Then back at me. “His parents?”

“They know.”

Something inside her gives way. She covers her mouth. “Thank God.”

I stare at her. “Mom?”

“Thank God.” She grabs me again. “Thank God you told someone.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“I know.”

“I wanted to.”

“I know.”

“I was afraid—”

“You were afraid I’d tell your father.”

I can’t answer. She pulls back.

The pain on her face makes me immediately shake my head. “Not because I don’t trust you.”

“You shouldn’t have had to wonder.”

“Mom—”

“You shouldn’t have had to hide a baby from your own mother.”