Chapter 27
I sat down on the sofa next to Elena, who was looking at me with alarm. I took another deep breath—I was exhausted from running. I smiled. Even though I was scared, I needed to appear calm for my sister.
“Sis, what happened? You look pale and exhausted. Like you just ran a marathon.”
“Pretty much, little one.” I smiled and took her hand. “I need to talk to you.”
Right there, I poured everything out: the separation from Alex, finding out I was pregnant, and what hurt me most—the canceled surgery.
I tried to keep my composure, to be the strong sister Elena needed, but eventually I couldn't hold back anymore.
The tears started flowing, and I surrendered to the pain and frustration.
“Damn hormones,” I murmured, trying to find something to blame for the emotional roller coaster I was on, but I knew it was more than that.
The vulnerability of that moment reflected everything I was going through.
“Hey, sis, don't worry. I can wait a little longer. I'm happy—now we'll have someone else to share our love with.”
“Oh, my little one, you're so wonderful, and I love you so much... But don't worry, I'm going to find a way to make this transplant work. I have some money saved up, and if we need to, we'll do whatever it takes. We'll get through this together.”
I pulled my sister into a long, tight hug so she'd feel safe and know that, despite everything, I would always be by her side.
“Ele, there's something else I haven't told you.”
“What happened, sis? There's more? Tell me... I want to know absolutely everything.”
I took one breath, then another, then a third, and my hands started trembling. I looked at my sister and let it all out:
“I saw Vladimir—he was watching me from a distance. When I realized it was him, I didn't think, I just ran. I don't know how he found out we're living here. I tried to avoid contact with everyone we knew back in Russia.”
“I keep wondering how he got out of jail. He did so many terrible things to you and Mom. I know he's my father, but I can't forgive everything he did.”
“Exactly! I need to find out what happened. He was supposed to be locked up for years—he shouldn't be out now. But don't worry, I'll figure it out, and if we have to, we'll leave the country.”
“I don't want to move again. I like the girls here so much.”
“I know, and I love everyone too. But the most important thing right now is protecting you and making sure you're safe. And I need to think about my baby too,” I said, gently caressing my still-flat belly, feeling a wave of love and responsibility.
In that moment, the priority was the safety and well-being of those I loved, and I would do whatever it took to protect them.
“When will your belly start growing? I want to know if it's a boy or a girl—and I hope it's a girl,” she said with a radiant smile.
I stroked her blonde, curly hair as she carefully touched my belly, her eyes shining with anticipation.
In that moment, I felt a special connection between us, and the idea of sharing this new life with my sister made everything even sweeter.
That day, we stayed home. I didn't have any work, and I was grateful for that.
I decided to call Martha and tell her the news.
I also needed to talk to Mr. Julio about Vladimir, but that could wait until tomorrow.
I grabbed my phone, scrolled through my contacts until I found her name, and tapped to call.
With a smile, I waited anxiously for her to answer, ready to share everything that was happening.
“Oh, how wonderful! I was just thinking about you, Chloe! How are you?”
“Hey, friend, I'm good.” I started walking toward the kitchen to make dinner.
“So, tell me the news,” she said expectantly.
“How do you know I have news?” I asked, smiling.
“I don't know,” she replied, her wonderful laugh echoing through the phone. “I just guessed. So do you? Tell me, friend!” she insisted, her voice full of curiosity and enthusiasm.
My heart warmed at the sincere friendship we shared.
“Are you alone? I don't want this getting out yet.”
“Yes, I'm in my room. Stop stalling and tell me!”
“I'm pregnant,” I announced, feeling a mix of emotions. Silence on the other end. For a moment I worried, so I checked the screen to make sure the call was still connected. “You still there?”
“Yes, I'm just trying to process this,” she replied after a pause. “Chloe, is the baby Alexander's? Sorry for asking, but from what I know about you, he was the only one in your life.” Her voice was full of surprise and concern.
“Yes, it's his, Martha. But he doesn't know yet.”
“You two haven't talked since that day?”
“He blocked me. I waited outside his office to catch him at lunch, but he ignored me too. So no, he doesn't know yet, and I don't know how I'm going to tell him.”
“Even after everything, do you think he deserves to know? I know how much you've suffered—and are still suffering—because of how things ended.”
“Actually, he didn’t even let me speak; so much was left unsaid.
Yes, I’m going to tell him, even if it’s through someone else.
He deserves to know. But not now; I have too much on my mind right now and I don’t want to add another problem to the list. Maybe when things calm down a bit, I’ll find the best way to do it. ”
“What’s going on? Maybe I can help.”
“Thank you, my friend, but these are problems only I can solve. Still, I’ll share them with you, because this is killing me inside.”
And right there, I open up to her, tell her everything, even about Vladimir.
As always, she’s eager to help and offers her assistance, but I can’t involve anyone in this.
It’s a serious matter, and I’ll have to deal with it alone.
We finish talking, and when my dinner is ready, I say goodbye to her and prepare plates for Elena and me.
We sit down to eat, and my little one has a smile on her face as always.
In that moment, I made a promise to myself: I won’t disappoint her.
She deserves to be happy, and I’m going to make sure that happens.