Chapter 27 Sophieâs pov Milaâs words were reassuring. They really were. But they couldnât break the circle of doubt, fear, and shock I was currently feeling at the moment.
I was pregnant. At least thatâs what all three tests read.
âI just turned eighteen today, I have no job, Mila. How am I going to do this on my own? Aiden I stopped, hiccuping on a sob. Life was unfair to me.
Did the heavens hate me that much to not give me a break from all those hurdles they flew my way?
Aiden was behind bars, serving time. And I was a hundred percent sure he hated me with a passion. I dream every day about his cold eyes that shone with betrayal when he stared at me that day before they took him away.
In a way, he blamed me for what happened. He hated me.
My heart squeezed. I had placed myself in a tight spot and I saw no way to get out of it.
âYouâre not going to be doing this on your own Soph. You have the Simpsons and me. Weâll be here every step of the way she reassured me while hugging my body sideways as she wiped my tears.
âThere are other options you know....â She trailed off as if unsure if her words would create more harm than good.
I shook my head quickly. âI could never do abortion.â
She shook her head. âI was more leaning on adoption? There are families who crave to have what you carry in your womb.
I wince at her words. She was definitely making this more real for me.
But.....she was right There are families who yearn for a child. I had one currently in my womb. I could make some family happy. I could give them something they craved for But as my eyes drop to my stomach, my heart squeezes. What if I canât let him or her go when I first set my eyes on them? What would I do then?
*I donât know Mila. âI trailed off unsurely.
âit was just an option Soph. You donât have to think about it so early on.â She reassures, squeezing me to her.
âAnd if you do happen to keep the baby, I will be here to help you every step of the way. She beamed.
My eyes meet hers in the reflection of the mirror. âBut what about New York Mila? Our plans? My shoulders sagged.
Mia and I had already planned to go to New York when we graduate from high school. It was supposed to be an exciting new chapter for us. Me to college and her to look for work Mila had no intentions of going back to school.
Apparently, school and learning just werenât for her anymore We only had a few more months until graduation. And now I had a huge damper on the plans.
She winces and lets me go while mumbling. âWell, I hadnât quite thought about that.â
She scratches her chin and paced the entire length of the bathroom before stopping before me.
âMy cousin Ria was willing to let us share her apartment with her. We only need to pay our share of the rent. Her mother, my aunt, did suggest I come and work for her in their little diner. Iâm sure that theyâll accept both you and me.â She rushed out as if finding a solution to the hardest math question.
I raised my eyebrows in doubt. âTheyâll accept a pregnant eighteen year old?â
She nods. âIâm sure they will. My aunt isnât as strict as my mom. In fact, I once caught her smoking marijuana at one of our many family gatherings.
She owes me one for not telling her husband she relapsed.â
I sighed. This feels too good to be true. How will I make this work when I was supposed to go to college and make a better life for myself?
âJust think about it okay Soph? We can still go to New York and live with my cousin and work for my aunt. We can still achieve our dreams, even though they will be postponed for a little bit longer. Whatever you choose Soph, will be the best choice. I believe so. And you should too.â She pulls me into a hug.
âYou got this Sophie. If anyone can do this, it will be you.â Mila squeezed me tighter.
I cried on her shoulder, holding her tight. âI donât know Mila. Iâm scared.â I admitted.
I still had a few months left till graduation. By then, I would be sporting a bump.
The controversies this will bring, I can already see it. Many would be the baby belongs to Aiden while the others would think it was Carsonâs.
I would be the talk of the town again. Though my name hadnât quite died out yet.
âAre you going to tell him?â Mila asked softly.
I knew whoâheâ was.
I shook my head. âNo. Iâm not going to ruin his life even more.â
Mali had left a couple of minutes ago already and I was currently in my room sucking up the courage to tell Ingrid that I was expecting.
After a few minutes of me just pacing across my room, I managed to get that little pep talk to actually push me.
I made my way downstairs where I can hear her playing with the pans and spoons. They rattled and disturbed the silence in the house. My fast pace turns into a cruise.
The air smells like chocolale cake and my belly grumbles reminding me that I hadnât eaten yet. I couldnât keep much down, but boy do I now crave some chocolate. Anything chocolate would do.
I found Ingrid in the kitchen like I expected to. She looked very focused on icing that chocolate cake. When she hears my footsteps nearing, she freezes and looks disappointed âDarnmit You were not supposed to see this yet.â She sighed and continued icing the chocolate cake. The strong smell had me licking my ups âCover your eyes until I say Iâm doneâ She instructed Ingrid always went out of her way to see me happy and this is how I repaid her? By getting pregnant so young? By causing the death of an innocent boy? For causing an innocent boy to take jail?
I donât deserve all this.
âIâm pregnant Ingrid.â I stumbled out, my bottom lip already wobbling as I waited for her glare and scowl.
Hearing my words, Ingrid freezes, completely.
I mustâve disappointed her so badly. I am sure of it.
âIâm so sorry Ingrid. We were not being careful and I fully blame myself for putting myself in this position. Iâm so sorry to disappoint youâll rushed out, The Girl He Craves novel (Sophie and Aiden)
coming closer to the counter.
âWhen did you find out?â She breathed out, staring at me in disbelief.
âA couple of minutes ago,â I admitted afraid that sheâll accuse me of having an inkling of what was going on with me but didnât tell her. Her eyes tell me that she was putting all those missing pieces together.
She shook her head, her eye misting. âWe can barely make ends meet Sophie. Youâre still in high school and youâre about to head to college Pregnant now?â She shook her head as if still in disbelief at what I had just said to her, Her eyes drop to my stomach and she whispered, âDo you plan on keeping the baby?â
I looked away from her completely. âMila suggested that I can give him or her up for adoption. Abortion is out of the question.â
Ingrid nods and sighs heavily. âNine months Sophie. How are you going to go to school and what about college?â
I looked down at the floor, now finding it the most fascinating thing. Iâm not going.â
âTo school or to college?â I can just picture her with her brows furrowed in confusion.
âTo college. Iâm not going, Iâve made up my mind. I will finish high school and graduate. Not doing so is also not an option.â
âBut going to college was always your dream Sophie? Are you going to give that up?â She whispered in worry.
I shook my head. âNo, Iâm not. Iâll just take a year off until the baby arrives then Iâll figure out what to do then.â
âFigure out what to do?â She voiced out in confusion.
I nodded. âIf to put the baby up for adoption or not.â
âSo no New York for you as yet then?â
I smiled shakily. âMila actually suggested that we could still go, we both could work for her aunt. I think itâs a good idea. Thereâs a lot of opportunities there It wasnât named one of the biggest cities for nothing.
Ingrid smiles sadly âYou seem to have everything figured out. Look at you acting like a grown-up already. Come here. She walks around the countertop and opened her arms I walked right into them and she squeezed me âI love you, Sophie. You know weâll support you know matter what.â
Iced softly on her shoulders. Today was a huge change in my life. One that will stay with me forever no matter what route I take.
âWhat about Aiden? Are you going to tell him and his family?â
âHow do you know itâs Aidenâs? âI whispered pulling away from her.
She grins slightly. âBecause I know you, Sophie. You were never in love with that boy Carson. But I do remember the way you looked at Aiden. Itâs easy to figure out who you trusted with something precious to you.â
I blushed brightly and shook my head. âI wonât tell him. I donât want to make this even harder for him. I can do everything on my own.â
âI can do it,â I whispered, nodding with determination.
ï¤Chapter 26 The Billionaires Mistress ï¤Epilogue The Alpha and The Fool ï¤Chapter 30 The Billionaires Mistress The Alpha and The Fool