Chapter 3 The Truth
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I slipped my hand from hers and stepped back. "Relax. I'm not trying to break up your marriage."
A trace of surprise flashed across Sophia's face, but she kept quiet.
The next day, I stopped by Sean's company to clear out my belongings.
Before I went to teach in the mountains, I often helped him sort files and sometimes spent the night in his office.
I was on my way out when voices from the break room made me stop.
"Sean, did I do something wrong? You barely spoke to me yesterday. I sent you messages, but you never answered. If Lily got the wrong idea, I'll explain everything to her. Even if she wanted me gone, I'd..."
It was Sophia.
Then Sean spoke. "Don't talk like that. She was your teacher."
Sophia's voice trembled with unshed tears. "She only taught me for one semester. But you're the man I've loved for five years. Please don't leave me. Even if Lily walks away, I..."
I turned to leave. Then Sean's soft voice reached my ears.
"Don't worry. Lily isn't going anywhere.
"Her parents divorced when she was young, and her mother later passed away from illness. She's never really had anyone to love her. If she leaves me, who else would ever want her?
"You're like my own sister. I'm not going to leave you either."
Sophia finally relaxed into a smile.
I walked into the break room, just in time to see her fling herself into Sean's embrace, her arms locked around his neck.
I gave them a brief glance, said nothing, and headed for the coffee machine.
Sean's face changed instantly. He pushed Sophia away. Yet she held on for a few seconds longer before finally letting go in a panic.
Then she turned to me, looking apologetic. "Ms. Lynn, it's not what you think. I was just a little emotional."
I looked at her. "It's fine. Do whatever you like. Just keep in mind this is the office. It won't reflect well on either of you."
I finished making my coffee and started to leave. Sean stepped into my path.
A complicated look crossed his face. "I didn't know about the flood. If I'd known you were stranded there, I never would've..."
I laughed and cut him off. "What? You would've skipped Sophia's birthday to come help me? It's fine. I came back safe and sound. Looks like leaving you didn't kill me after all."
Sean stood there, momentarily speechless.
Then he gave a mocking laugh. "So you overheard what I said? Good. Leave if you want. Just don't come back begging when reality hits."
Sophia immediately frowned.
"Sean," she scolded softly, "don't say things like that."
Then she rushed over and caught hold of my arm. "Ms. Lynn, please, don't be impulsive."
I tried to shake her off. In the middle of the struggle, Sophia suddenly let out a cry and dropped into a crouch, one hand clutching her stomach.
I instinctively reached toward her. But before I could touch her, someone shoved me aside.
My body slammed into the coffee machine, and a stream of scorching coffee spilled down my shoulder.
Sean's eyes burned with rage as he gathered Sophia tightly against his chest.
"How could you push her? Do you have any idea she's two months pregnant?"
I pressed a hand against my searing shoulder and somehow found myself unusually calm. "No. I really didn't know."
I looked at him. "Whose is it?"
Sean's jaw tightened. "Mine!"
His voice was thick with fury. "You want to know how it happened? For five years, you were never there. She was the one staying late with me, attending business dinners, standing by my side.
"She did everything a fiancée was supposed to do. Two months ago, she got drunk, and I couldn't stop myself.
"Lily, I'm not the only one at fault. If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for being absent from my life for five years."
In his arms, Sophia slowly regained her composure. The vulnerability in her eyes disappeared, replaced by a hostility I had never seen before.
"Lily, you've crossed the line. I respected you because you were once my teacher. I put up with your sarcasm and your accusations again and again."
She placed a protective hand over her belly. "But I won't let you hurt my baby."
- Writer
