Chapter 12

JAYDA

Jayda spent the rest of the weekend bonding with her family. She appeared to be fine in front of everyone, but when alone, she replayed the conversation she had with her mom.

She couldn’t be pregnant. At least not now. She was just getting started in her career, and she’d spent so much time and effort getting her promotion.

She couldn’t afford to take the time away from her work and lose it all. Being a mom and a lawyer would mean she’d never be able to give her full attention to her kids or her job.

She didn’t want kids, and most importantly, she didn’t want them with the number one person she hated in the world.

On Sunday evening, after saying goodbye to everyone, Jayda went to her car. She finally gave in to her inner voice, pulled up at a pharmacy to pick up some pregnancy tests, and then drove home.

After getting settled and picking out her work outfit for the next day, Jayda reached for the tests and crashed on the sofa in her bedroom. With her heart beating faster, she went over the instructions with shaky hands.

She stared at the tests, thinking about how her life was going to change when she saw the results. It was either for good or for bad.

Reluctantly, she rose to her feet and went to the bathroom. She read the instructions one more time and then took the three tests. She placed them on the counter and sat on the edge of the tub.

She fiddled with her necklace and prayed for the results to turn negative. She was truly not ready to become a mother.

After a while, with the remaining strength left in her, Jayda reached for the sticks and took a look at them.

Her heart sank…

Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as she continued to stare at the three positive tests she was holding.

“No…No…Please, no…No…It was just a one-night thing, please! Nooooo!”

She sobbed as her legs gave out, and she landed on the bathroom floor.

She couldn’t believe she was so stupid to let this happen. All her life she had been termed brilliant, but she failed to apply common sense by insisting Sebastian wear a condom. Because she hadn’t been sleeping with Zach, she wasn’t on birth control.

She took the morning-after pill, but it had failed. The passionate night she had with Sebastian was going to ruin her life.

Jayda cried and cried until she had no more tears to shed. She sobbed until her head started aching.

What was she going to do?

***

JAYDA

Jayda wanted to spend all day in bed and continue crying, but she had a job she couldn’t ignore. She reluctantly got up from her bed as soon as her alarm buzzed. She did her morning rituals, changed into professional wear, and left her apartment.

Jayda was mute all day. She only opened her mouth to give one-word instructions or one-word answers. She was happy the work she had to do made her forget about the pregnancy, even though it was only for a few hours.

She had her cousin order lunch for her. Fortunately, she had some appetite today, and she shed a tear when she remembered the food would be split into two. Half would go to her, and the other half would go to the little human growing in her.

She still couldn’t believe she was going to be a mother. She wasn’t ready!

After lunch, Jayda buried herself with work-related matters and eventually left the office at 7:45 p.m. She was craving Chinese food, so she made a stop at a Chinese restaurant and ordered some takeaway.

Jayda let out a sigh as soon as she saw Lilian’s car parked outside her apartment. Since she found out about the pregnancy, she refused to answer anybody’s call that wasn’t work-related, and she had no doubt that was why Lily was at her place. She would definitely be worried about her.

As soon as Jayda unlocked her door, she found Lilian with her arms folded over her chest and a worried face.

LILIAN

Lilian was about to lash out at Jayda for ignoring her calls, but she swallowed her words when she took in Jayda’s appearance.

Jayda’s eyes were swollen, and she looked pretty tired. She wasn’t looking like her usual cheerful self.

“Come over here. You look terrible,” Lilian shut the door behind her.

Jayda placed her handbag on one of the sofas in the living room and went to the kitchen. She placed the food on the counter. Then she went back to the living room to join Lilian.

“I was really worried about you. For a while, I thought I did something that made you mad at me,” Lilian said.

“If there’s anyone I’m mad at right now, it’s me. I can never be mad at you, Lily.” Jayda’s voice was thick with tears.

“Then what’s wrong? Did Sebastian hurt you again?” Lilian asked as she took Jayda’s hand in hers.

JAYDA

Jayda wiped away a tear from her cheek. She was thinking of what to say to Lilian.

LILIAN

Jayda’s reaction only made Lilian more worried.

“My life has been a mess since the day Zach broke up with me, and it couldn’t get any worse now.”

With a worried look, Lilian nodded, encouraging Jayda to continue what she was saying.

JAYDA

Jayda tried to speak around the lump in her throat. “I... Sebastian... that—at night... Lilian, I’m pregnant!” She buried her face in Lily’s chest and sobbed.

LILIAN

Shocked would be an understatement to describe Lilian’s reaction. She sat still for a while, replaying what Jayda said.

She came back to reality and patted Jayda’s back. “Please calm down, Jayda. I know this is unexpected, but crying won’t solve anything.”

Jayda lifted her head from Lily’s chest. “Why is life being unfair to me? It was just a one-night stand, and here I am expecting a baby with your cruel cousin.”

“I thought you took some contraceptive pill,” Lilian said with a confused look.

“I did. I took them, Lily, but it didn’t work. I’m such a fool for going to bed with Sebastian without making sure he was protected. If only I had come to my apartment straight from Zach’s house, this would not be happening to me.”

“Please don’t be too hard on yourself. Everybody makes mistakes.” Lilian comforted her.

“I know everyone makes mistakes, but this mistake is beyond me, Lily. I’m not ready to be a mother.” She sniffed.

“Have you been to the doctor? When did you find out?” Lilian asked as she wiped a tear from Jayda’s face.

“I’ve been feeling weird for days. Mom noticed too, so we talked. She made me realize I could be pregnant. I denied it because I was sure the pill I used worked.

“For some reason, I couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation, so I stopped by a pharmacy on my way home yesterday, and the tests turned out positive.” Jayda groaned.

“I’ve called my doctor and scheduled an appointment for tomorrow.”

“You’re keeping it, right?” Lilian asked hopefully.

Jayda exhaled. “I don’t know, Lily. I’m so confused, but I can promise you I’m not ready to become a mother.”