Chapter 315
“Call me when you get home,” Lilly says, pulling me into a tight hug.
I nod, too exhausted to say much, and watch as she leaves. She’s the last one out.
The moment the door closes behind her, the house falls into a heavy silence.
I sink onto the sofa, elbows resting on my knees as I cover my face with my hands and Mom drops down beside me a second later and gently pulls me into her arms.
I go willingly. After everything that just happened, I need something familiar. Something steady. Something comforting.
“I know it’s a stupid question, honey,” she says gently, “but are you alright p>
I think about it for a minute, but my mind draws a blank.
I’m not sure if I’m okay. I’m not even sure what I’m supposed to feel right now.
The day started with nerves. Then the ruling against Jocelyn made everything feel lighter, like the weight I’d been carrying for weeks had finally lifted. The small celebration Mom organized had been perfect… But now? Now it feels like everything has been flipped upside down.
I take a deep breath and wrap my arms around her waist, clinging to her like a child even as I fight back the tears threatening to spill.
She tightens her hold on me immediately, her hand coming up to rub slow circles on my back.
“It’s okay,” she murmurs softly. “You can cry if you need to p>
For a second I almost do, but then I shake my head against her shoulder.
“I’m just… tired,” I whisper.
And it’s the truth. Emotionally, physically and mentally. Everything inside me feels drained.
She leans back slightly so she can look at my face, her hands moving to cup my cheek
“I’m sorry about what happened, baby,” she says softly. “The party was supposed to be a celebration, but instead you were put in a really difficult position p>
“It’s not your fault, Mom… you couldn’t have known p>
“Still,” she murmurs, pulling me a little closer, “I hate how everything turned out. Especially the way Ava treated you. You didn’t deserve that p>
My chest tightens, but I push the feeling down.
Honestly, I understand where Aunt Ava was coming from. Finding out something like that the way she did… it couldn’t have been easy… but Mom is right about one thing. It wasn’t fair for her to point fingers at me for keeping the truth from her when her own son was the one who didn’t want anyone to know in the first place.
“I know,” I say quietly.
She studies me for a moment, like she’s trying to read something deeper in my expression.
“Are you scared?” she asks.
“A little,” I admit, after hesitating for a minute.
“Of what p>
I glance down at my stomach, resting my hand over the small bump.
“I’m worried about what all this is going to turn into now that everyone knows,” I admit quietly. “I don’t want any drama, Mom… and I definitely don’t want Aunt Ava trying to force things p>
Mom’s expression softens instantly.
“Oh sweetheart,” she says, pulling me into another hug. “You don’t have to carry any of that on your shoulders. And you certainly don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. Right now, the only thing that matters is you and that baby. Everything else is none of your concern p>
I close my eyes, leaning into her warmth.
“But if there’s too much drama… it’ll affect the baby,” I whisper.
Her hand moves gently through my hair.
“No, it won’t,” she says firmly. “Because you’ll protect him. You’ll make sure none of that nonsense reaches him p>
She pulls back slightly, her gaze steady on mine. “And besides, I’ve seen a quiet kind of strength since you got pregnant… That same strength that will tell anyone to shove it if they try to push you into something you’re not okay with p>
A small laugh escapes me. It’s weak, but real. “You’re right p>
“I’m always right, baby,” she says with a smug little smirk.
This time, the laughter that bubbles out of me feels lighter.
She studies me for a moment before tilting my chin up gently.
“So tell me, what’s your next step now that the truth is out?” she says, her tone softer now.
I sit quietly for a moment, thinking it over, before I finally answer.
“Honestly? Just focusing on the baby,” I say truthfully. “I would never stand in the way of Aunt Ava and Uncle Rowan being there for their grandchild… but that’s as far as I can go p>
I pause, my chest tightening slightly.
“As for Noah… I’m not ready to forgive him yet. He finally knows the truth, but that doesn’t erase everything that happened… and maybe I’ll never be able to forgive him p>
“And what if he wants to be in the baby’s life?” she asks carefully.