Page 110 of Never Started
"Let's do it now," Ander whispers to her, to which she giggles harder and pushes to stand. He grabs her hand, and they walk together to the middle of the living room.
"Hey, everyone!" Ander calls out as Via clings to his arm, beaming beside him. "Come in here for a second." My brows raised, everyone files into the room, and Ander continues, "We’re really glad you’re all here. We have to—"
"We’re pregnant!" Via shouts gleefully, cutting off whatever elaborate speech Ander had planned. Her beautiful smile stretches across her entire face, and she's quite literally glowing. I can feel the joy and excitement radiating off of them both, and it's beautiful. “A little over four months, to be exact,” she says as she pulls her loose-fitting shirt close to her belly, exposing the cutest baby bump.
Everyone in the room gasps in unison. Ander's parents rush to them first, tears already forming at the brim of Mrs. Kristen's eyes. Abbie and Dessa run over to them next. People are jumping and shrieking, and congratulations are being handed out as they all share in the excitement.
Everyone except for me.
I am so happy for them. I am so overjoyed that they get the happily ever after they so very well deserve. They will be amazing parents.
However, as soon as I heard the words and saw the bump, I was instantly stunned in place by thoughts of the life that never got to be. The baby I had to let go of.
"Izzy," Via calls out, a look of confusion and concern on her face as she takes me in. I straighten in my seat, trying to free myself from the thoughts that confine me.
I quickly stand, rush over to her, and hug her.
"I'm so fucking happy for you guys!" I say, forcing my words to match her energy so as not to bring her down or dampen the mood. "You’ll both be amazing parents, and this sweet baby will be so loved."
She nods with a genuine smile, reminding me of how far she’s come and how hard she’s fought to get to where she is now.
"I am so proud of you, V," I say, squeezing her hand before releasing her to celebrate with everyone else.
My heart picks up its pace in my chest, my hands become clammy, and I feel like I can't breathe.
Air. I need air.
Trying to stay calm, I take a deep breath and walk toward the door.
I need to get out of here. Now.
Just as the door swings open and I begin to step out, I feel a large, gentle hand on my shoulder, and I know it's him.
I don't stop walking as I completely fall apart.
Chapter fifty-five
Jett
November 2025
Something isn't right. It’s evident in the way her face falls and body tenses.
It's written all over her, yet with the excitement filling the room, no one else notices.
I notice. Of course, I always notice her.
She forces a smile and walks toward the door. Without giving it a second thought, I rush to follow behind her.
My hand meets her shoulder, and she doesn't protest or shrug me off like she typically would, but she doesn't stop walking either. She ignores my presence entirely.
I close the door behind me and continue to follow after her.
She's walking fast. I call her name, and she stops walking but won't meet my eyes. Her shoulders droop, and she looks defeated.
"What's wrong, Iz?" I ask, walking closer to her but keeping a distance between us for now.
"Can't. Breathe." She pushes the words out breathlessly. Then, I notice she has one hand clutching her chest, as the other covers her mouth.
