Chapter 60
Sapphire.
Leah looked at me, her eyes softening with curiosity as she asked. “So, what have you been up to1”
I shrugged, feeling the weight of all the things I hada’s yet shared. My mind raced with memories, emotion, and words I had wanted to spill out for so long. There was so much to tell her, yet I didn’t know where to stan. Just as I opened my mmah to begin, the door creaked, and Charlie barreled imo the room. He stopped in his tracks, his wide eyes locking onto Leah
For a second, they just stared at each other, neither moving Charlie’s usual boundless energy seemed to vanish as he shyly shuffled behind my legs perking out from the side. He was a little too tall for this now, but the gesture was still endearing.
“Who’s that?” he whispered.
I smiled and gently parted his head. “Charlie, I want you to meet someone very special. This is Leah, my best friend”
wher
Leah knelt down on the floor, bringing herself to Charlie’s bright. I saw her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she extended a hand toward him. “Hey there, Charlie.” she said. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
For a moment, Charlie hesitated. He looked at me, then back at Leah, before stepping forward. Leals arms opened, and without a word, Charlie slapped into her embrace. My heart squeezed at the sight of the two of them holding each other, a silent band forming between them. Leah’s tears fell freely now, and Charlie, sensing the emotion, simply lugged her tighter.
I stood there, watching them, the rooms quiet except for the soft sound of Leah’s sniffles. It was as if they had known each other forever, like they were reconnecting after years apan, even though they had just met
After what felt like an eternity. I gely pried Charlie away “Alrigin, buddy,” I said softly, miffling his hair. “Why don’t you go eat in your room for now?1 need to catch up with Lesh.”
Charlie’s face lit up immediately. “Can I have the bug boast of spaghett?”
I laughed “Yes, the big bowl of spaghetti Go ahead.”
He cheered, has previous shyness forgotten as he dashed out of the mom, his foorgeps echoing down the hall.
Leah and I were left in ulence. She wiped her eyes then ut down beside me on the couch her gaze fixed on me like she was piecing together everything 1 hadn’t you said. She didn’t speak for a moment, just watching me with a look that made me feel boch comfoned and exposed.
“So,” Leah began softly, “you’re preqismi.
i nodded, buing my lip as I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding
Leah’s eyes widened, and she leaned forward slightly. “Is that why you left?” :
I shook my head quickly. “No, no, I didn’t know I was pregnant until after I got here.”
She blinked, taken aback. “Wait, so you
“I found out late,” Linterrupted gently, feeling the words rushing out now that the dam had broken. “I left for other reasons, and then, after a few weeks. I realized something was off. I went to the doctor and–well. surpr
Leah’s face was am
a mix of shock and confusions. “Did you did you tell him!”
Inudded vigorously. “I tried, but I couldn’t reach him. And honestly. I didn’t want to tell him
–
Leals furrowed her brows, “Why? I mean, this is huge.”
I sighed, leaning back against the couch and closing my eyes for a moment. “What we did it wasn’t supposed to happen. Not like that. It was messy. complicated, and I didn’t want this to feel like another computation to him
Leah’s expression softened as she reached for my hand. “But it’s his child, too
“I know,” I whispered. “But I wasn’t going to blame Charlie for any of it. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I just I didn’t know how to tell him without it sounding like a mistake. And I didn’t want Charlie to ever feel like he wasn’t wanted.”
Leah squeezed my hand tighter. “You didn’t want him to know because you were scared of what he’d think?”
I opened my eyes and met Leah’s gaze. “I wasn’t sure how he’d react. I thought maybe he’d be angry, or distant, or worse, indifferent. I didn’t want
he deserved Charlie to grow up with someone who didn’t love him the
Leal sat quietly for a moment, processing everything. “So you’ve been doing this on your own?
Ipodded, “It hasn’t been easy, but I made it work. I’ve been going to school, reading everything I can, trying to start something of my own so that Charlie has a future. I wanted to make sure he’d have the best life I could give him”
Leah blinked away more tears. “You’re stronger than I thought.”
Tlet out a small bugh, but it felt hollow. “I didn’t have a choice. Once I found out I was pregnant, everything changed. It wasn’t about me anymore. I had to figure out a way to make it all work.”
Leah stared at me, a mixture of pride and sadness in her eyes. “I wish you’d told me sooner,” she whispered. “I would’ve been there for you.”
“I know,” I said softly. “I should have. But everything was happening so fast, and I didn’t know how to explain it was scared.”
UND
( the door where tharlie bad
(sant, smaling, despute the heaviness to the nonu. Te veverything to mor.
Com the couch her eyes narrowing shafaly as it a dongba hand jour commedioder “Are you are you going to tell hom new
deelong Dute it would make a difference
Leah psired berlija, contemp
Durakded, knowing she was rigle. “Till think sleet
