He Couldn’t Forget, She Wouldn’t Forgive

Chapter 6 - There’s Love At Home

LAYLA

“Old Flynn, Layla is really pregnant.”

The words didn’t make sense at first. Pregnant? My body went cold. Dr. Edward removed his fingers from my wrist and sat upright, exhaling slowly. “She is four weeks pregnant, but to be sure of the baby’s condition, she has to come to the hospital tomorrow for a full checkup,” he said, packing his equipment.

My grandfather didn’t say a word. I guessed he was just as speechless as I was. I was certain I heard the doctor at the hospital say I had miscarried, and from the way I stumbled, it would’ve been a miracle to save the fetus. What was happening? My mind spun between grief and disbelief. Had my body been protecting the baby all along, or was this some cruel twist of fate?

The doctor stood, bowed curtly, and left the house. A deafening silence filled the room. Aunty Lola’s squirm reached my ears; I could tell she was the happiest person in the room at that moment.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Grandfather finally spoke, breaking the silence. My body stiffened and my heart stuttered. What could I say? Grandfather would be exasperated if he knew what Bastian and his family had done.

I sighed. “I didn’t know, Grandfather. A doctor told me I miscarried already, so I didn’t even try to pay attention to my health afterward,” I explained, hiding the fact that it was Bastian and his mistress who caused me to lose the baby… Oh! The baby wasn’t lost. It turned out the doctor made a mistake. I was still pregnant.

“Father, she’s lying. She knows she’s pregnant but decided to bring a bastard into the family,” Aunty Beatrice wouldn’t rest. She’d gotten leverage over me, and it would be surprising if she didn’t use it. My gaze went to Grandfather; his head was lowered, making it difficult to read his thoughts. Would he cast me out, remove my name from the family register, and take back everything he’d given me?

“Shut up, Beatrice,” Grandfather snapped, anger and frustration lacing his voice. His hands clutched the arm of the chair tightly. “This is the period your niece needs every bit of support she can get from us, yet you’re quick to judge her? Shame on you!” he retorted. I was shocked.

Shock froze my limbs; my fingers tangled in my lap as if they needed something to hold onto. “Grandfather, you aren’t angry?” My voice trembled as I wiped my palms on my skirt. “You don’t hate me—for bringing shame to the family?”

With a wave of his hand, he chuckled. “Don’t ever say you brought shame to the family. You left a toxic marriage, and you shouldn’t be crucified for that. The main thing is, you had the courage to walk away and not endure their nonsense. That’s something most people don’t have the strength to do. You’re truly a Flynn for that,” he said. “The child shall be a Flynn and will be taken care of. You don’t need to worry about anything except getting better and healing.”

The tears I’d been holding back streamed down my face unheeded. How could I describe Grandfather’s love for me? He’d been my only support since my parents’ death. He stood by me even when the whole world was against me. I thought that love had died because I disobeyed him. I thought he’d hate me for being a disgrace to the family. But hell no. He hugged me, not minding the dirt on me. He was ready to help me start all over again.

“Grandfather, you’re the reason she’s this spoiled. I don’t know why you keep defending her nonsense,” Aunty Beatrice said bitterly. I understood her plight. For years, she’d expected the family business to be handed over to her, but with my presence here, things no longer looked promising. If I were in her shoes, I would’ve been exasperated and frustrated too.

Ignoring her tantrums, Grandfather shifted his gaze to Aunty Lola. “Take her to her room and make sure she’s well taken care of. I don’t want to see her downstairs today. She needs a lot of rest, and make sure she gets it,” he instructed.

“Yes, Old Flynn.” Aunty Lola walked to my side and helped me up. “Let’s go, Layla.” She wiped the tears smeared on my face.

“Thank you, Grandfather,” I said, my voice breaking. A myriad of emotions washed over me even as I tried to contain them. “Thank you so much, Grandfather,” I kept repeating until I got to my room. It had been cleaned, and all the old things had been replaced. My eyes wandered over them in surprise.

“After your wedding, Old Flynn instructed us to clean your room every day, and every year, he asked us to replace the old things here. It’s as if he knew a day like this would come,” Aunty Lola said, helping me settle on the bed. The mattress and bedspread were new too.

“Really?” My voice croaked, and my eyes burned with tears that threatened to fall. Grandfather had waited, even when I’d been rebellious and chosen a man he never approved of. He’d waited patiently because he knew I would come back home sooner or later. Grandfather never trusted Bastian, and even when I thought he would, after seeing how well he treated me—he never did.

“Your grandfather really loves you. It’s not in my place to say this, but don’t let him down again,” she said, patting my shoulder affectionately.

Clasping my lips, I nodded and let the tears fall freely. I felt bad, bitter, and guilty. I didn’t deserve his love, but he loved me anyway. “I won’t let you down, Grandfather. I’ll make use of this second chance and make you proud,” I promised between sobs, breaking into a louder cry. I needed it to start over. I wanted to let everything out. I would make Bastian regret it. They would regret ever making me miserable.

•

After Layla left the living room, Aurora bowed and went back to her room. As she walked away, she pressed her trembling hands to her forehead, trying to hide them. She nibbled on her bottom lip as unshed tears hovered in her eyes.