Page 99 of My Ex's Best Friend

Right on cue, the drill goes off again.

Ellie marches up to the window and peeks out. "Can you guys shut up for a while please?"

I chuckle. "I don't think they can hear you."

Ellie turns to me. "So, you've really decided, then?"

"Well, we had already talked about this, and as much as I like living with you, I cannot burden you—"

Ellie shakes her head. "Stop saying that. You're not a burden. You're my best friend, and it'll be an honor to raise your kid with you."

My eyes well up with tears. She looks a little teary-eyed herself.

She hugs me. "I guess we'll have to grow up sooner than expected now that you're going to be a mother."

I nod as I hug her back. She has no idea how lucky I'm to have her. I would have totally collapsed had I had to navigate the last couple of days on my own. But I cannot make her my emotional crutch. She has her own life.

I peel back to look at her.

She smiles. "Now come, I'll help you pack. You're a terrible packer."

I nod. I know everything is going to change with this decision of mine, but I have to do this. The city is no place to give birth to a child on my own, and I cannot expect Ellie to stick it out with me for the next couple of months till delivery. Not to mention how much more difficult things will be when the baby actually comes. No, I can't do that to her.

My parents aren't exactly conservative, but I can only imagine how they're going to react when I show up at their place, pregnant. They love me too much to send me away. Of course, I don't expect them to take my complete responsibility either.

I put a protective hand on my belly. It's just going to be me and my kid for the rest of our lives.

"What are you thinking?" she says.

"Nothing," I say.

She walks to my room and starts pulling out my suitcase. "I guess you've handed in your resignation."

"Yes, I did," I say. "HR insisted that I come in, but I said I couldn't, so they sent me my termination draft and I signed it and sent it by post. I know I chickened out, but I couldn't bear facing Jake. It would be too much for me."

"Does Jake know where you are?" she says.

"I haven't told him, but the office has my current address. I legally had to inform them."

"And yet, he didn't come by to see you once..." she trails off.

"It's better this way."

"Is it, though?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't get me wrong. I think you're perfectly capable of raising this child by yourself, but it's good to have the father around. You don't need to have a cordial relationship with him, but at least you should think about your baby."

I put a hand to my forehead. "I'm too exhausted to even think about that."

"I don't mean to be pushy, and I definitely don't want to upset you. I just—"

"I know you mean well, Ellie. But I don't want him anywhere near the baby. Maybe I'll change my mind in the future but not right now. I'm not ready to see his face after his betrayal."

Ellie looks at me sadly. "I understand."

I nod, looking away, fighting a fresh wave of tears. All I've done is cry for the past few weeks. There's a hollow feeling in my chest that just refuses to go away, and the pain seems to be searing into my insides. I cannot outrun it, no matter how hard I try. But I cannot let it eclipse the well-being of my unborn baby. So, I know I need Jake to stay away. The old wounds will heal eventually.

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