Page 115 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

You ruin everything good the second it touches you.

The thought slices through me, cruel and sharp.

I think of Sophie’s face, crumpling, fighting to stay strong while I stood there like a fucking coward. I think of her arms wrapping around herself, like she already knew I’d leave.

The city blurs around me. Horns, lights, voices. None of it matters.

All I can hear is my own heartbeat hammering against my ribs like it’s trying to break free of me.

I was supposed to be different. Supposed to be better.

Instead, I’m a fucking rerun.

All I can hear is her voice.

I’m pregnant, Alessio.

You told me you loved me.

Was any of it real?

What's Sophie’s future like if I stay?

Or worse. If I don’t?

I squeeze my eyes shut, but it doesn’t shut her out. Nothing will.

I jam my fists harder into my pockets, nails digging into my palms.

You’re not built for this.

Maybe not.

But the idea of losing her feels worse than the idea of trying.

And if I don’t figure that out soon...

I’ll lose her anyway.

27

SOPHIE

The apartment is too quiet.

Not peaceful, hollow. Like someone carved the heart out of the place and left the shell behind.

I lie on the bed, staring at the ceiling, Alessio’s absence pressing on me like an invisible weight. Heavy. Suffocating.

The city buzzes outside the window, sirens, drunken laughter, engines ripping down the avenue. All of it feels cruelly normal. Like the world kept spinning without asking if I was ready.

My hand slides instinctively over my stomach, the motion tender, protective already.

I’m not ready.

I thought I was strong enough to survive anything, career setbacks, heartbreak, betrayal.

But this?

---