Chapter 21 - Rhiannon
Rhiannon spent the morning pacing around her apartment, the weight of her thoughts pressing heavily on her. After much deliberation, she took a deep breath, determined to put a plan in motion.
"A shopping spree," she murmured to herself, her mind racing. "That'll do."
Valentina was always up for shopping, and Rhiannon seized the opportunity to involve her best friend under the pretense of needing a dress for the upcoming party. The truth was, she was tangled in a web of fear and uncertainty surrounding the possibility of being pregnant. The idea alone set her heart racing, and while she knew she needed to confirm her suspicions, the thought of either outcome—yes or no—terrified her.
As they strolled through the mall, with Valentina animatedly chatting about the latest fashion trends and laughing at Rhiannon's half-hearted attempts to engage, she felt a cloud of anxiety loom over her. The blissful distraction of shopping couldn't erase the gnawing questions spiraling in her mind. Would she really be bringing a child into this world, especially in a family like hers?
Once Valentina was thoroughly distracted by a rack of dresses, Rhiannon slipped away to the pharmacy section, her heart pounding. She quickly grabbed a few pregnancy tests, tucking them safely beneath a stack of beauty products. When she rejoined Valentina, the shopping bags filled with dresses seamlessly overshadowed the heavy weight of her secret. Valentina had even discreetly purchased a test for her, slipping it into one of the bags, their silent agreement strengthening their bond as friends.
Back home, however, the jubilation of shopping faded away as she stood frozen in her bathroom, the tests lined up before her. With shaking hands, she reminded herself to breathe. After a few agonizing minutes, one by one, the results rolled in—each confirming her suspicions.
She was pregnant.
"Oh, God…" she whispered, the word barely escaping her lips as a rush of emotions flooded her.
Her mind spiraled into an abyss of doubts and fears. Falling in love with Adrian had felt so right, yet now it felt impossibly complicated. Did he even love her back? Visions of her father's controlling nature flashed through her mind—of the suffocating upbringing she had endured—and she recoiled at the thought of potentially replicating that cycle. No child of hers would ever suffer through emotional neglect or manipulation. If there was any chance she might turn out like him, she wouldn't allow it.
"What if I need to find a way to escape?" she thought aloud, the sharpness of her anxiety gripping her harder. "This child deserves a chance no one ever gave me."
Rhiannon couldn't shake the feeling that her life was suddenly teetering on the edge of an uncertain future—one she was desperate to shape differently than her own.
As the hours passed, she prepared for the party, struggling to mask the turmoil brewing within her. Dressed in a beautiful gown, she had chosen with Valentina earlier, her reflection in the mirror should have sparked joy, but instead, it felt like a hollow facade. The ugly feelings coiling in her stomach weren't just from the pregnancy test but from the weight of her new realization hanging overhead like a storm cloud.
When Adrian arrived to pick her up, he immediately sensed that something was off. She pretended to be excited, plastering on a smile that felt like a betrayal of what was happening inside her. "You look stunning," he told her, his gaze warm and affectionate, but behind his admiration, she could see the concern lurking in his eyes.
"Thanks," she replied, trying to maintain a lightness that eluded her. "Let's just make it through this party."
Once they arrived, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and laughter—a stark contrast to the heaviness she felt inside. They greeted friends and family, and she forced herself to engage in small talk, all while her heart raced with uncertainty.
As the evening progressed, her father's voice boomed across the room, gaining everyone's attention. He stood at the front, about to give his speech, so charismatic that it cleverly masked the danger he posed. Rhiannon shifted uncomfortably, unsure how she would endure the rest of the evening when it felt like her entire world was shifting on its axis.
"Tonight is a celebration of family and unity," her father began, his words laced with a carefully curated charm. But as he continued, she felt the familiar sting of apprehension nag at her—she was tied to this man and the consequences of his actions, yet she fought every instinct pushing her to retreat.
Next to her, Adrian stood strong and supportive, but even his presence couldn't quiet the doubts racing through her mind. Rhiannon remained acutely aware of the truth she was hiding, feeling as though the ground beneath her feet was wearing thin.
Her father's speech droned on, the words melding together into a blur as she grappled with her swirling emotions. Each praise for family loyalty and business ventures struck her like a taunt, a cruel reminder of her own place in this fucked up mess she was in, and the question of who she wanted to be—who she could be for her child—clashed violently with the reality of her family's legacy.
Beside her, Adrian's warm hand found hers, holding tight, grounding her amidst the chaos of her thoughts. She glanced sideways at him, trying to draw strength from his presence. His brow was furrowed in that adorable way, a sign of his concentration on the speech yet worry lacing through the edges. Could he tell? The concern mirrored back to her in his warm gaze made her heart twist with uncertainty.
And then it hit her—a wave of nausea, more intense than she expected, crashing over her as her father continued to hold court. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to will it away. The world around her dimmed as she fought against the rising tide of panic.
Not here. Not now , she pleaded, eyes pinched to stave it off.
Was she really prepared for motherhood?
"Focus on the now, Rhiannon," she whispered to herself. One foot in front of the other. The party continued, and she had to make it through this evening without unraveling.
Her words drew Adrian's attention, and he turned toward her. "Are you okay?" he asked, leaning in, his tone low and concerned.
"Yeah, just a little overwhelmed," she replied, trying to downplay her unease even as her stomach churned in response to the tension inside her. She needed to tell him, to let him know the truth about what was happening to her. But how could she when she was still figuring it out for herself?
They mingled through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and catching up with various relatives. Rhiannon felt her stress levels rising, the air thick with unspoken words and bottled-up feelings. Each laugh shared, each compliment directed toward her, seemed to highlight her anxiety rather than alleviate it.
Eventually, she excused herself from a conversation and slipped toward the back corner of the room, hoping the solitude would help her feel less overwhelmed. Once there, she leaned against the wall, trying to steady her breath. The fabric of her dress felt restricting, and she fought against the wave of emotion rising inside her.
Why did she feel so out of place in her own life? The potential of motherhood was terrifying, but it also opened a door she never thought she'd have to face.
"Rhiannon?" Adrian's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back from the edge of her spiraling mindset.
Startled, she turned to see him approaching, concern plain on his face as his eyes darted over her expression. "There you are. I've been looking for you. Are you sure you're okay?"
She nodded, forcing a smile that was only partially genuine. "Just needed a moment."
He stepped closer, his own discomfort evident. "You don't have to pretend with me. I can see something's wrong."
Rhiannon hesitated, her heart pounding as she gauged her options. She could tell him everything—how scared she was, how her father's oppressive presence hung over her like a storm cloud—but she couldn't. Not here, not now.
"It's nothing. Really, I'm fine," she said, the words hollow.
Adrian studied her intently, and for a brief moment, she thought he might push for more. But then he nodded, his expression reluctant. "Alright, but I'm here when you need to talk. Just know you don't have to go through this alone."
"I know, Baby," she replied softly, feeling a swell of affection for him. He deserved to know—he really did. Yet, the fear of how he might react held her back.
As she joined him back in the crowd, the party continued to unfold around them, speckled with laughter and jokes. But all she could think about was the new reality awaiting her outside. Time stretched, her heart racing as she pushed against the uncertainty gripping her mind.
Rhiannon had thought the evening would be an escape, a chance to enjoy the company of family and friends. But it had become a crucible, testing her resolve and forcing her to confront the weight of her choices head-on.
As the party continued, her father called to the guests, beckoning them all to raise their glasses for a toast. "To family," he proclaimed, his voice booming across the room. "May we continue to strengthen the bonds that unite us!"
Self-righteous bastard.
Everyone around her raised their glasses, clinking them together in a chorus of cheer. Rhiannon's heart raced, a pang of panic tightening her chest. Family. The word echoed in her mind, resonating deeply with her own tangled feelings. She could hardly feel part of this collective celebration, knowing what was at stake.
Adrian nudged her gently, his brows furrowed with concern. "Come on, Princess. Tell me what's going on."
"Nothing," she lied, her voice strained. She forced a smile, but her stomach twisted at the thought of the life growing inside her. Would she be able to provide the loving environment for a child that she had longed for? Could she break the chains of her past?
"Rhiannon," he whispered, leaning closer, "you're not fooling anyone. I can see it in your eyes."
"I'm just…exhausted," she lied, but she could tell he saw through it.
"Rhiannon, if something's bothering you, you can share it with me. You don't have to keep pretending everything is fine." His voice was low and gentle, but it still had an edge of impatience, clearly frustrated with the wall she'd built.
"I'm trying," she replied, her heart pounding as she realized how close she was to breaking. "I promise. Let's just get through tonight."
Adrian looked like he was going to argue, but her father called him before he could, and Rhiannon, feeling guilty, retreated to a quiet part of the room to watch them both. There, she leaned against the wall, her mind racing, unable to shake her circling thoughts. She wanted to tell him the truth—every fear, every hesitation—but every time she opened her mouth to speak, the words caught in her throat. What would he think? Would he see her as weak?