ry W

tening to the distant hum of traffic outside. My heart

we

I heard Emily was getting engaged, since

needed space. A

stance could dull t

n even more. And the one-night stand with

. That I was strong enough

wrong. So

leted my location. Blocked everyone. No on

make me feel free. But al

me, something missing

desire to be

of me that believe

my chest, but it di

my heart, and he shattere

'll never love you less."

i

cking

ad never known real love before. I clung to a

. My father was all I had until h

ing I had a new mother, a sister. But

g they needed me to be. Thinking maybe they'd

roken a

p bed, my life in ruins, trying to

against the people I

they took

ry. They

use

smiles. Emily, always taking what

shady things about V

hat exactly. So ma

er... would anyone believe me

r this. Maybe I sh

of nausea rolled over me, twisting my stomach. My throat burned, and before I knew it,

ing came rushing up. My body trembled as I cl

't the fi

eling tired all day. I had brushed it off as str

ized my per

ing thought cre

No

stepped out into the cold morning air, my

cks away. The lights were too brig

ind something?" the cashie

traight to the aisle, grabbed th

e and walked out

't be ha

n, I already

reflection in the mirror. My

e test. Then I sa

ruth settle

preg

caped me, my whol

child of a man whose

. He hadn't touched me in months. He

bas

as growing inside me. An innocent life that

mind spinning. What was I supposed t

d no

ared. I hav

ather of

ly hadn't thought abo

but this time, it wasn't

ed to

he old motel television, hoping for

creen lit up, my ent

man from t

suit, his face glowing on the screen, his expression unrea

eone Important. Po

s voice fil

as officially announced his engagement to Emily

dn't b

e sound of it hitting th

was sp

cked on th

nett Landon they

the father of my child.

led as I whisp

the He