Pregnant for My Best Friend’s Dad

The second pink line appeared slowly. I stared at it, refusing to believe what my eyes were seeing. One line meant negative. Two lines meant— “No.” My fingers began to tremble. I checked the instructions for the third time, then looked at the test again. Two pink lines. Positive. I lowered myself onto the bathroom floor, pressing my back against the wall. I was pregnant. At twenty-three, I had imagined many things for my future. A successful event-planning business. A beautiful apartment. Maybe marriage someday. Children when I was ready. But not this. Not now. And certainly not with him. My hand moved instinctively toward my stomach. There was nothing to feel yet. No bump. No movement. Nothing that could tell me that my life had just changed. But the test had said everything. I was carrying Richard Hayes’s baby. My best friend’s father. I squeezed my eyes shut. “How did I let this happen?” I knew exactly how. The memory came rushing back. Six months earlier, after Ashley had left for a business trip, I had stayed behind at the Hayes mansion to help Richard organize some documents for an event his company was sponsoring. It had been raining heavily that night. One conversation had turned into another. Then emotions neither of us had expected had taken over. The next morning, we had agreed it could never happen again. We had never spoken about it afterward. I had tried to convince myself it meant nothing. Now I was carrying proof that it had meant everything. My phone rang. I looked at the screen. Ashley. My best friend. The one person I couldn’t tell. Not yet. I wiped my eyes and answered. “Hey.” “Where are you?” “At home.” “You sound weird.” “I’m just tired.” “You’ve been tired for weeks.” My heart skipped. Had she noticed? Before I could respond, Ashley squealed. “I have amazing news!” I forced myself to sound normal. “What happened?” “My dad is getting married!” My stomach dropped. “What?” “My dad is getting married!” she repeated. “Can you believe it?” I couldn’t speak. Richard was getting married. Of course he was. Why wouldn’t he? He was successful, wealthy, and handsome. Women had always been interested in him. And whatever had happened between us had never been supposed to become a relationship. Ashley continued excitedly. “We’re having dinner tonight. He’s introducing his fiancée to the family.” “Tonight?” “Yes. You have to come.” “I don’t think I can.” “Why?” “I don’t feel well.” “You’ve been saying that for days. Please come. I need you there.” I looked down at the pregnancy test. My secret suddenly felt heavier. “Ashley—” “Please?” I closed my eyes. “Fine. I’ll come.” She screamed happily. “I knew you’d say yes!” After we hung up, I remained on the floor. I looked at the test one more time. Then I whispered, “What am I supposed to do with you?” ⸻ Three hours later, I stood outside the Hayes mansion. The house was brightly lit. Cars filled the driveway. This was not the small family dinner Ashley had described. There were at least thirty guests. My heart began racing. I almost turned around. Then the front door opened. Ashley appeared. “Lila!” She rushed toward me and hugged me. “You came!” “You said it was a family dinner.” “It is.” I glanced at the cars. “This doesn’t look like a family dinner.” She laughed. “Okay, maybe I exaggerated.” “You think?” She linked her arm through mine. “Come inside. I want you to meet Vanessa.” My stomach tightened. “Vanessa?” “My dad’s fiancée.” Of course. I followed Ashley inside. The living room was filled with people. Everyone was dressed elegantly. And then I saw him. Richard stood near the fireplace. Black suit. White shirt. Calm expression. He looked exactly as I remembered. Except when his eyes landed on me, something changed. His smile disappeared. For a moment, we simply stared at each other. Ashley noticed. “Dad?” Richard blinked. “Lila.” His voice was low. “It’s good to see you.” I swallowed. “You too.” Ashley looked between us. “Why are you two acting strange?” “I’m not,” Richard said. “Neither am I.” Ashley frowned. “Okay…” Before she could ask anything else, a woman walked toward us. She was beautiful, elegant, and confident. “Richard?” He turned. She smiled. “Everyone is waiting.” Ashley grabbed my hand. “Lila, this is Vanessa.” Vanessa extended her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you.” I shook it. “Hopefully good things.” Her smile remained. “Mostly.” Something about her made me uncomfortable. Ashley laughed. “Lila has practically been part of this family forever.” Vanessa glanced at Richard. “I can see that.” Richard’s expression hardened. “Vanessa.” She shrugged. “What?” Dinner began shortly afterward. I barely touched my food. Ashley kept talking excitedly about the wedding. Richard remained unusually quiet. Vanessa sat beside him, smiling at everyone. Then she turned toward me. “So, Lila. Are you seeing anyone?” I nearly dropped my fork. “No.” “Really?” “Yes.” “How surprising.” Ashley frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Nothing.” Vanessa smiled innocently. “I was only asking.” Richard put down his glass. “That’s enough.” The table went silent. Vanessa looked at him. “I didn’t say anything wrong.” “You don’t need to interrogate her.” I stared at my plate. My hands were cold. I suddenly felt sick. I pushed my chair back. “Excuse me.” Ashley looked worried. “Are you okay?” “I just need some air.” I hurried outside. The garden was quiet. I leaned against the railing and took several deep breaths. I couldn’t stay there. I needed to leave. “Lila.” I froze. Richard. I didn’t turn around. “Please don’t.” His footsteps stopped. “Don’t what?” “Follow me.” “You’ve been avoiding me.” “I’ve been busy.” “That’s not the reason.” I turned. He stood several feet away. His eyes searched my face. “You look pale.” “I’m fine.” “You keep saying that.” “I am.” He took a step closer. “Then why are you shaking?” I looked down. My hands were trembling. I quickly hid them behind my back. Richard’s eyes narrowed. “What are you hiding?” “Nothing.” “Lila.” I couldn’t look at him. He lowered his voice. “Are you pregnant?” My heart stopped. I stared at him. He already suspected. “How did you—” I stopped myself. His expression changed. “You are.” I swallowed. “I…” Before I could finish, Ashley’s voice came from behind us. “Dad?” We turned. Ashley stood at the garden entrance. Her eyes moved between us. “What are you two doing?” “Nothing,” Richard said. I forced a smile. “I wasn’t feeling well.” Ashley immediately walked toward me. “You’re shaking.” “I just need to go home.” “Do you want me to come with you?” “No.” “Are you sure?” “Yes.” I grabbed my handbag. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” Ashley looked unconvinced. “Okay…” I walked away. I could feel Richard watching me. I didn’t look back. ⸻ The moment I reached my car, I locked the doors. My breathing was uneven. I reached into my handbag and pulled out the pregnancy test. Two pink lines. I stared at it. Then my phone vibrated. I nearly dropped the test. Unknown Number. I opened the message. My blood turned cold. You should tell Richard the truth before I do. I stared at the screen. Another message appeared. I know about the baby. My heart pounded. Who was this? Before I could type a response, another message appeared. And I know what happened between you two that night. I stopped breathing. Someone knew. Someone knew about the baby. Someone knew about Richard. Someone knew everything. Then the final message appeared. If you want to protect your future, stay away from Richard Hayes. I stared at the screen in horror. For the first time that night, I realized something terrifying. My pregnancy wasn’t the only secret anymore. Someone had decided to use it against me.