Rejection? I Don't Love You Either!

Chapter 6 - Unexpected Confession

When Jared Sinclair got the news that Alice Taylor had given birth, he ditched everything and, finding out the hospital, headed straight there without second thoughts.

Her sisters were the first faces he saw when he walked into the hospital. "Sofia," he greeted with a kiss and a hug. Sofia, besides Alice, was the other Taylor he had a tight bond with. "Long time no see. Everyone's here," he observed the Taylor family, all quiet and downhearted over the loss of Alice's baby. "Is it a girl or a boy?" he asked in a hushed tone, not aware of what went down but excited because, baby or not, it was Alice's, and seeing her happy made him happy.

He glanced around the waiting room, looking for Robert, his buddy, assuming he had to be with Alice and their newborn since he wasn't there.

He knew Robert might feel some type of way seeing him all happy with family and baby, but he'd also be happy for them. Jared tried to keep his feelings in check, hoping they'd just vanish, but no luck despite all the time that had passed since he last saw her.

"Jared..." Sofia approached, hugging him, tears streaming down her face. Everyone was crushed by little Ethan's death, and Alice was just a wreck, not uttering a word since finding out about the baby's passing. She didn't want to see anyone, didn't want to eat, even though a whole day had passed since she got the news about Ethan.

The rain kept coming down that morning, making it a gray, cold, and sad day for everyone – a date they wouldn't forget.

After a long wait for the baby's arrival, only for him to leave so abruptly, leaving behind a painful void among those who briefly knew him.

"What's going on, Sofia?" Jared comfortingly rubbed her back, still in the dark. "What's happening? Something bad?"

His whole body shook at the thought that something bad had happened to Alice.

"His name was Ethan," she said through tears, feeling immense pain over the loss of her nephew. She sniffed and then stepped back, a few paces away from Jared. "Alice's baby didn't make it. Just a few hours after being born."

Hearing that, Jared caught the heavy atmosphere in that waiting room. It was the first child born to their marriage, and they already lost him.

Tears welled up in his eyes, deeply saddened. Sorrow for that f*******n woman and his best friend, knowing they'd be crushed by what went down.

"What happened?" he asked, wanting to understand how it went down, 'cause Robert always said everything was smooth whenever he asked about Alice's pregnancy.

"The doc can't explain. He says the whole pregnancy was fine, regular check-ups, but maybe something could've been spotted earlier if Alice had hit the clinic like every other expectant mom. Instead, she got checked at home, and that might've been the reason for missing something. Resulting in her baby not being here now."

"But..." Jared was lost, confused by the info. How hadn't Alice gone for check-ups? Why always at home? He held back all his questions 'cause it wasn't the time. Alice, who had just lost her child, was what mattered. "Where is she? Is she with Robert?"

"Robert?" Sofia scowled, annoyed at the name. "Ha! That jerk hasn't shown up. His kid's gone, and he's not here. He's just... nowhere to be found. Neither are his folks, none of the Grahams. Clearly, he gives zero damn about Alice or their kid. No one came, and I even called him – not just me. His phone rings, but he's ghosting everyone."

How come Robert wasn't there at such a crucial moment? Jared was baffled. Why wasn't he by his wife's side during such an important time in their child's birth or to comfort her after such a massive loss?

"Who's Alice with?"

"Alone. She doesn't wanna see anyone. She's just lying on that damn bed, not speaking or eating. It's painful to see her like this; she's gonna waste away. She's in a world of hurt, and I don't blame her. She lost her kid," Sofia cried again, putting herself in her little sister's shoes. Sofia had a small daughter herself and couldn't imagine life without her.

"I'm gonna see her. What room is she in?"

"The thing is, she doesn't wanna see anyone."

"I gotta see her!" he exclaimed in desperation. "She can't be alone. She's super sensitive, really fragile, and she must be suffering. I gotta be with her." With those words and the look on Jared's face, Sofia could tell how much he cared for Alice. She realized he was in love with her sister.

"Jared, you love her, huh?"

Jared looked down, still with tears in his eyes.

"Right now, she's my best friend's wife, and Alice is also my friend," he said as a sort of excuse, not owning up to his feelings for young Alice Taylor. But he also didn't deny it, as his expression and pain when he found out she was alone spoke volumes.

Sofia approached him with confidence, lifted Jared's face, wiped his tears, and stared into his eyes.

"Someday, you gotta tell her how you feel, so you don't get stuck in these feelings. Alice ain't happy in her marriage; her husband hates her, ignores her, and doesn't give a damn about what happens to her or their kid. He's not even here. She's unhappy, and that wedding was a mistake. Maybe..." Jared cut her off, pulling away.

"She's married to my best friend," he said again, firmer this time, clearing his throat and wiping his tears. "Can I see her?"

"Sure, but I don't know if she'll want to see you. Like I said, she's not talking to anyone. She's been silent since she got the news," Sofia guided him to Alice's room. "It's here. I'll be in the waiting room. Don't take too long; she doesn't want to talk to anyone."

Sofia left him at the door.

He opened it slowly, nervous.

He hadn't seen her in many months, and he thought he'd see her happy because of the birth of their child. But then, this horrible tragedy happened.

He closed the door behind him and stood there.

A woman lay on the bed, not even moving when she heard someone enter. The sheets covered her up to her shoulders, and she tightly closed her eyes, not sleeping. She hadn't been able to sleep since her son died, and despite the pain from the cesarean, she didn't want painkillers 'cause she didn't want to sleep.

There was a chair by her bed, and he sat down, silently, thinking she was asleep.

"The first time I saw you, my heart went nuts, and I got scared, thinking something was happening to me when Sofia introduced us. I thought I was getting sick, and I remember apologizing and leaving. Maybe you don't remember, Alice," he paused and rubbed his knees, recalling that moment as if it were yesterday. "But then we saw each other again, and you were smiling that dazzling way. My heart acted up again, and it wasn't until many more run-ins later that I figured out what was happening. Alice, I fell in love with you the moment I saw you, but you were so young, so beautiful. I thought we'd meet again later, after you graduated. I always thought of you, always in my mind, waiting for the time we'd meet again. And yeah, I did see you many more times, but those moments were fleeting. But when I found out you were marrying Robert, I thought... Maybe he'll make her happy. I forced myself to smile and feel good for both of you, but I couldn't bring myself to go to your wedding. How could I go to the wedding of the woman I love? How could I go to the wedding of the woman I fell in love with at first sight? You were marrying my best friend, and I had to be happy for both of you, but all I felt was pain. Now I realize you're unhappy by his side, and apparently, you don't love each other, but you're still off-limits to me. How did we get to this point? When did we grow so far apart? I know you're not listening to me, and that's why I dare to say this, 'cause I respect you a lot, and you're my friend's wife." He paused for a moment, stood up, and walked around the bed until he reached her side. He crouched next to the bed and looked at her sleeping face, gently brushing her cheek with his hand. "I love you, Alice Taylor. And I have loved you since the first moment I saw you. You are and will always be the woman I am in love with, even though this can never be."