p>“I’m trying to be involved. You always say I don’t show up. Well, I’m here now.”

I stared at him.

“You’re here because you got caught.”

Over the next week, Travis continued to appear as if nothing had happened. He asked if I had phoned the doctor yet.

He wanted to know if I preferred the name Ella for a girl or Jacob for a boy. He discussed baby clothes and cribs as if we were a normal couple.

He occasionally inquired about how I was feeling or whether I needed anything.

Other times, he simply sat on the couch and talked about his profession like old times.

I didn’t understand what he was doing or why he was trying. But I didn’t stop him. I still needed time.

Then one evening, my phone rang.

I saw her name on the screen, and for a moment I just stared at it. Something inside me already knew this call would hurt. Still, I answered.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Linda said.

Her voice was light and sweet, but I could hear the sharp edge underneath. “Just wanted to let you know—I’m pregnant too.”

I froze. I held the phone to my ear but couldn’t talk.

I felt like the air had been knocked out of me.

“You heard me,” she repeated. “And, in case you’re wondering, I did plan it.” I knew you’d try to entice him back with your small surprise. So I made sure he stayed with me.”

I didn’t respond.

I did not ask anything. I hung up the phone and set it down slowly. My fingers were stiff, and my entire body felt cool.

Travis walked in that night as usual.

He did not even knock. He perched on the edge of the couch and gazed at me, as if he didn’t know which version of me he’d get.

“Did she tell you?” he said, his tone low.

“Did you think she wouldn’t?” I asked again. My voice was firm, even though I wanted to shout.

Travis breathed out and rubbed his hands together.

“I’m not sure what to do. I didn’t sign up for two children. “I can barely manage my own life.”

I stared him directly in the eyes.

“Then maybe you should have thought about that before sleeping with two women in the same family.”

He shook his head. “I’m just saying… maybe this doesn’t have to be so complicated. You have options.”

“You think I should make this easier for you by getting rid of my baby?”

“I’m just saying it could be for the best.

You aren’t in a good place right now. You are overwhelmed.”

I approached the door and pulled it open. “Get out.” Now.”

“Rachel, don’t act like this.

“We can work something out.”

“I said get out!” I shouted. “And if you ever tell me what to do with my body again, I swear to God—”

Travis exited, slamming the door so violently that the walls appeared to shake. I stood transfixed, my hands trembling by my sides.

Then the tears came.

Not sluggish or soft, but firm and crisp. My knees gave out and I sank on the floor.

The cries ripped through me, loud and awful. I could not catch my breath.

I pressed my face to the floor, unable to stop shivering.

I sobbed for everything—the man I thought I loved, the unexpected baby, and the mother who had become a stranger.

When the sun came up, I felt different. Not better. Just cooler.

Something inside me had shut off.

The girl who hoped and trusted was gone. I was not going to beg Travis to stay. I was not going to call Linda and inquire why.

I was going to raise this baby on my own.

They’d made their choice. Now it was my turn.

I sat at the kitchen table, writing a letter. I didn’t read it again.

I folded it, picked up my keys, and drove to Linda’s house. My plan was simple: leave the note and walk away.

However, as I opened the door, Travis was there, hauling a bag down the hall.

“What are you doing?” I inquired, my voice stern as I moved into the corridor. My heart was already beating.

I could see his luggage halfway unzipped.

Travis flinched. He did not turn to face me right away. “I was just getting some stuff,” he murmured.

I did not stop.

I walked straight by him, pulling the suitcase open. Right on top were two aircraft tickets. I grabbed and held them up.

Travis touched his cheek.

He seemed exhausted. “I can no longer deal with this. Linda has been nuts since she found out.

She refuses to stop talking about the baby. She’s constantly monitoring me. She keeps asking about names, nursery colors, and everything.

“I feel trapped.”

“You weren’t going to tell her, were you?” I asked. “You were just going to leave without a word.”

He looked down. “I was planning to send a message once I got out.

None of this was in my plans. You both made a mess.”

I looked at him and felt my stomach twist. “You’ve cheated.

You lied. You played with people’s lives. And now you are blaming us?

Travis shakes his head.

“You are both impossible. “I’m tired of always being the bad guy.”

“You are the bad guy,” I replied. My voice was low, but it did not shake.

“You made this mess, and now you want to run from it.”

His eyes narrowed. “You act as if you are better than me. You’ve treated me like garbage since this all started.”

“You have embarrassed me.

You broke everything. And now you’re doing it to her, too. Do you think that makes you a victim?

Without saying anything, I tore the tickets in half.

I threw the fragments to the floor. I stood still for a while, breathing through the wrath, before pulling out my phone.

“Linda,” I said when she responded. “Your ideal boyfriend is standing here holding a suitcase and a ticket out of your life.

“I thought you should know.” I hung up before she could reply.

Travis glared at me. “What the hell was that?”

“Consequences,” I explained. “You will hear from my lawyer.

You are paying for both children. “Whether you like it or not.”

I passed past him without glancing back. I left the torn-up letter on the table so he could see it and know I had intended to be courteous but changed my mind.

I stepped outside and felt the sun on my face.

The air smelled fresh, like a new beginning. For the first time in weeks, I felt confident on my feet.