Page 108 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

I hate that. I hate that she thinks I would hate her.

Because no matter how much she hurt me… I don’t.

I don’t think I ever could.

***

Hours pass.

Doctors come in and out of Vincent’s room. Family members drop by. But nothing really changes.

Layla and I sit across from each other with Vincent asleep in his bed, between us. We remain in this limbo, trapped between what we were and what we are now.

She shifts uncomfortably in her seat, adjusting the blanket she pulled over herself earlier.

I watch as she pulls her knees up to her chest, hugging herself.

I wonder if she knows how small she looks right now.

Like she’s trying to disappear. Like she’s afraid of what’s going to happen next. Like she’s afraid of me.

That’s what finally pushes me to speak.

“Layla.”

She stiffens at the sound of her name. Slowly, she turns to look at me.

Her eyes are red, rimmed with exhaustion and unshed tears.

I part my lips to say something, anything, but the words don’t come. Because I don’t even know where to begin.

Do I ask why she kept him from me? Do I tell her how much that hurt? Do I tell her that, despite it all, I still want to touch her, hold her, comfort her? Do I tell her that I still…

I exhale, rubbing a hand over my face.

She watches me, waiting.

For what? For me to explode? For me to demand answers? For me to tell her I hate her?

She looks away first.

“It doesn’t matter,” she whispers.

I frown. “What doesn’t?”

“This.” She gestures between us, the space that feels so much wider than just a few feet.

The words hit me harder than I expect.

She thinks we’re over. That there’s no fixing this. That there’s no us left to fight for.

I don’t know if she’s right.

But I don’t want to find out.

After she falls asleep, I step out of Vincent’s hospital room, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me. The air in the hallway feels thick, suffocating, like it’s carrying the heaviness of every thought racing through my mind.

I walk faster, needing space, needing air, needing something,anything, that will keep me from drowning in frustration.

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