Chapter 28
LILA
Istared at his text, hating the whirlwind of emotions that swirled around inside me.
That bastard had the audacity to tell me he loved me after what he’d done?
Look at us!
And how does he think I am?!
I was just great, babe, thanks. I was pregnant, and I wished you weren’t such a cheating bastard.
Maybe I should put that.
I scowled at my phone and tossed it onto the table as Vanessa raised her brows.
“Okay, I assume that’s my brother?”
“Yup.”
Vanessa winced. “He’s not giving up then?”
I exhaled and gazed at her. “No, it appears not. But what Victor conveniently forgets is that if that little tramp hadn't messaged me, he'd still be screwing her.”
He was outed for fuck’s sake. Who did he think he was? My anger rose so quickly I barely had a chance to breathe.
So, I snatched my phone up and fired back a text.
Lila: How’s your little slut? You weren’t thinking of me when you were buried inside her, were you?
Petty as fuck, I knew. I'd been calm and collected so far. I mean, sure, I’d burned his truck, but he’d gotten off pretty easily compared to what I could’ve done.
“What did you say to him?” Vanessa asked, sipping her tea.
“I reminded him what he did.” I shrugged as the screen lit up. More fucking bullshit I’d bet.
“He’s not doing great, you know,” Vanessa said, lowering her gaze. She didn’t ever defend her brother to me, so things must be bad for her to say as much.
Curiosity took over me. “Oh? Worse than me burning his truck?”
Vanessa started listing things, using her fingers to track. “You’ve divorced him, you’re selling the house, you burned his truck, he lost his job, got banned from driving, got arrested—”
“I know all of this,” I said, shaking my head. “He deserved everything he got.”
“I hear you.” Vanessa pursed her lips, seemingly battling with something. “You should see where he’s living.”
Immediately my heart twisted, but I refused to give him an inch of sympathy.
“Enzo said it’s a real hole. Cockroaches and shit.”
I arched my brow. “Why isn’t he staying with the homewrecker?"
“He told Enzo he hasn’t spoken to her since you found out.”
I snorted. “And you believe him? He was happy to carry on seeing her with me at home, still being his little wife.”
Vanessa watched me, tilting her head as her brows crashed together. “Okay, I get the anger. I feel your rage, babe, I do, but you seem…different somehow. Is everything okay?”
And just like that, I burst into tears. Full-on sobs that made my shoulders shake; my breath caught in my throat as I tried to speak. Everything felt like it was ending, like everything was failing.
My marriage. My job sucked. I had nowhere to live. I was about to be a single mother.
“Babe, talk to me. Let it out.” Vanessa’s soothing words only made it worse.
Mom appeared in the doorway, a dishrag in her hands as she studied the scene before her.
“Do you want me to tell her?” Mom asked gently, her stormy grey eyes meeting mine.
“Tell me what?” Vanessa’s head whipped between us.
I nodded, unable to find the words. Vanessa held me closer to her chest as she looked at my mom expectantly.
“Lila is pregnant.”
I felt, rather than heard, the sharp intake of breath as my best friend sucked in air. Her arms stiffened around me, and then she moved back, her hands sliding down my arms as she crouched beside me.
Her eyes shone with tears as she shook her head, gazing at me with raw pain etched on her expression.
“Pregnant?” she whispered, her hands finding mine. “Is it…”
I knew what she was thinking. Did I have a steamy, sordid affair with Graham in Greece?
“Victor’s?” I smiled faintly. “Yes.”
A hand clamped to her mouth as she fell to her knees, bowing her head. I could feel her emotions—she was the aunt of our unborn child, and her brother had wrecked everything.
“At least I’m pregnant and not the homewrecker,” I tried to joke, but my shoulders deflated when she met my eyes.
Fuck, if Cami was pregnant, I’d leave the country permanently. I couldn’t bear the thought of her carrying his child.
My hand stroked my stomach as Vanessa watched me wordlessly.
“I know,” I said, glancing at my mom. “I’m sorry I didn't tell you sooner.”
“Fuck, Lila, it’s okay. Fuck.”
We sat like that for a beat until Vanessa rocked back on her heels, dragging her hands through her hair, tugging at it on the ends like it was going to help.
“How far along are you?”
I tilted my hand and frowned. “About ten weeks now?”
“Does Victor know?”
It was my turn to drop my gaze as I shook my head. “It doesn’t change anything. Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean we—”
“No, I know that,” Vanessa said quickly. “I just mean…he’s the dad, right?”
I swallowed as I nodded. “Yeah, I know, I just…”
How to say that Victor would fight harder than ever for me if he knew I was pregnant? That was the wrong reason. I didn’t want that.
Vanessa read my mind, like every ride-or-die would.
“You’re divorcing him. You’re selling the house—you’re barely talking to him. I think he knows there is no chance of getting you back. But a baby? He should know, honey.”
I choked on emotion. Vanessa was right—Victor needed to know, because he was still the father regardless of anything else.
“If you want, I can tell him,” Vanessa offered quietly.
My phone lit up again.
Victor.
I sighed heavily. I had been putting it off for two weeks—I needed to go and tell him in person.
The thought of seeing him made my stomach churn. I didn’t want to feel weak around him, and Victor always had a way of doing that to me.
“No. I’ll go and see him.”
“Can I tell Ma?” Vanessa gripped my hand.
“Yeah, but maybe wait a few weeks. I have a scan soon, and I’ll know if everything is alright.”
Vanessa beamed at me despite the tears spilling down her cheeks. She pointed at them. “These are happy tears. Oh, babe. Come here.”
She swept me into her arms, and I allowed her to, inhaling her sweet perfume.
God, give me strength. I really need it.