CHAPTER 5
719 Words
The apartment was quiet. Too quiet.
Chloe sat curled on the couch, one knee tucked under her, her phone pressed to her chest like it was part of her heartbeat. The pregnancy test lay on the coffee table, still, silent, and accusing. The pink lines stared up at her like they had something to say.
She closed her eyes and drew in a shaky breath. Then, with a soft exhale, she tapped Lila’s name on her screen.
It only rang twice.
“Hey, you,” Lila answered. Her voice was light, unbothered, completely unaware of the storm Chloe was holding back. “Everything okay? Did you?”
“I took the test,” Chloe said, her voice barely above a whisper.
There was a pause, a quick inhale on the other end.
“…And?”
Chloe swallowed. “It’s positive.”
The line went silent for a second, then Lila let out a quiet breath. “Oh, Chloe…”
“I didn’t think…” Chloe’s voice cracked. She leaned forward, clutching her stomach. “I mean, I had no idea. I thought I was just tired or stressed or something.”
Lila’s tone softened, warm and unwavering. “Hey. Breathe. You’re okay.”
Chloe closed her eyes as the tears welled again. “I don’t know how to feel. I’m happy, I think. But scared. I just, this changes everything.”
“It is a lot,” Lila said gently. “But it’s not a bad thing. It’s just… big. Life-changing big. You’re going to be a mom, Chloe. That’s beautiful.”
A small, watery smile tugged at Chloe’s lips. “You think so?”
“I know so. And that baby? Already lucky to have you.” Lila paused, then added softly, “Have you thought about how you’re going to tell Darrell?”
Chloe's chest tightened. She pulled her legs up closer to her body, voice low. “That’s what scares me the most. I don’t know how he’s going to take it.”
“Do you think he’ll be upset?”
“I don’t know,” Chloe admitted, voice hollow. “He’s been… better. He’s been present. But he’s still rebuilding his company, still juggling everything. What if this makes him pull away again? What if he thinks I’m trying to trap him? Or worse… what if he’s not ready to be a father at all?”
Lila was quiet for a moment, then said firmly, “Chloe, listen to me. Darrell loves you. That much is clear; anyone could see it in the way he looked at you at that art show last fall. He may not have had his priorities straight before, but you two found your way back. And now… this baby didn’t come to ruin anything. It’s just the next chapter.”
Chloe wiped at her cheeks, sniffling. “You believe that?”
“I do. But more importantly, I believe in you. And whatever happens, I’ll be here. You won’t go through this alone, okay?”
A lump formed in Chloe’s throat. “Thank you, Lila. I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime,” Lila said gently. “Now breathe. Rest. And when you’re ready… tell him. Don’t let fear decide for you.”
When the call ended, Chloe sat in silence for a long while. The gentle hum of the refrigerator and the soft patter of rain were the only sounds in the room. Her fingers absently traced the rim of her mug, though the tea inside had gone cold.
Her eyes drifted again to the pregnancy test.
Two pink lines. No maybes. No room for doubt.
A part of her ached to tell him. To see the look on Darrell’s face, surprise, maybe awe, maybe tears. She imagined his hands cradling her belly, imagined them lying in bed whispering names in the dark.
But another part of her whispered doubts louder.
Would he see this baby as a gift… or as a threat to everything he’d rebuilt?
Would he hold her closer… or start to retreat again into the walls he once built?
She hugged a pillow to her chest and stared out the rain-streaked window, wondering if tonight would be the night she found the courage.
And if she did… what would she find in his eyes?
- Writer
