Chapter 22
The days blurred together. I stopped watching the news. Stopped searching for Ryan’s name. Stopped looking at the engagement photos splashed across every media outlet.
I forced myself to focus on one thing–my baby.
Jayson stayed with me, making sure I ate, making sure I rested. I knew he was trying to distract
me, trying to keep me from falling apart. But he didn’t have to say it–he knew I was breaking. My mother also visited once in a while but I didn’t want to burden them. I just wanted them to keep my location a secret.
Every night, I lay in bed, hands resting on my belly, whispering stories to the little life growing. inside me. I told them about Ryan. How he made me laugh, how he always smelled like cedarwood and rain, how his touch made the world feel less heavy.
I told the baby lies too. That their father didn’t love me. That I didn’t love him either. That we were better off without him. It was the only way I could keep breathing but honestly, I didn’t know what would happen if the baby asked about his father.
That night, Jayson went out to buy food, promising to be back soon. I sat by the window, cradling my stomach, watching the rain drizzle against the glass. The air was quiet, too quiet.
Then–a knock. I sighed, assuming Jayson forgot something. My steps were slow as I made my way to the door. I pulled it open without thinking-
And froze.
It was Ryan. He was soaked from the rain. Furious. My breath caught in my throat. His gaze swept over me–my rounded belly, my swollen features, my trembling hands. His jaw clenched.
Before I could react, I slammed the door. But he was faster. Ryan shoved his way inside, his grip strong as he pushed the door open and stepped in.
“You’re due already.” His voice was rough, thick with something unreadable.
I took a shaky step back. “Get out.”
He ignored me. “You’re carrying my child. And you were going to hide from me?”
My chest tightened. “You don’t get to act like the victim, Ryan.”
He let out a sharp laugh, but there was no humor in it. “You left me at the altar, Kylie. You disappeared without a word. You ruined me. Why did you do that? Was it because of Jayson? You’re living with him now? Is that it?”
Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “I did what I had to do.”
“For who?” He took a step closer. “For me? You thought I wanted this?”
I pushed at his chest, trying to create space. “Ryan, just leave.”
“No.” He grabbed my wrists, pinning them against the wall behind me. “You don’t get to walk away again.”
I struggled against his hold. “Let me go.”
“Not until you tell me the truth.” His voice cracked. “Did you ever love me?”
Silence. I forced myself to look him in the eyes, ignoring the way my heart ached at the
7:40 pm G
desperation in them.
“No. I was just using you.”
He flinched.
“You’re lying,” he whispered.
I lifted my chin. “I don’t love you, Ryan.”
His hands trembled against mine. “Say it again.”
I swallowed. “I. Don’t. Love-”
Pain. Sharp. Sudden. Unbearable. I gasped, my knees buckling.
Ryan caught me immediately, his anger vanishing. “Kylie?”
My vision blurred as another wave of pain shot through me. My breath came in short gasps.
Ryan’s face paled. “Shit–you’re in labor.”
Everything moved too fast. Ryan carried me to his car, his grip on me terrified but steady. He kept whispering, “Hold on, baby, just hold on.”
I barely heard him. The pain consumed me. By the time we reached the hospital, the contractions were unbearable. The doctors rushed me inside, shouting orders, nurses
surrounding me.
Ryan never let go
of my
hand.
“It’s okay, you’re okay,” he kept saying. “I’m here, Kylie. I’m right here.”
But I was so tired. So, so tired. Somewhere in the chaos, I heard the doctor’s voice.
“We need to do an emergency C–section. She’s losing too much strength.”
Ryan’s hand tightened around mine. “Do whatever it takes. Just save them both.”
The world faded. I let the darkness pull me under.
I woke up to silence. The sterile scent of the hospital burned my nose. My body felt weak, my stomach sore from the surgery. I turned my head, expecting to see Ryan. But the chair beside my bed was empty.
My heart pounded. Where’s my baby?
A nurse entered, carrying a small envelope. She smiled softly, but something in her eyes made my stomach twist.
“Where’s my baby?” I whispered.
The nurse hesitated, then placed the envelope on my lap.
I grabbed it with shaking hands, ripping it open.
A single letter. My vision blurred as I read the words.
“The only way you’ll see our baby… is if you come back to me. – Ryan.”
The room spun. I clutched my chest, my breathing ragged, the reality of it sinking in.
Ryan took our child.
Chapter 22
