Page 2 of Won’t Let You Get Away

“This may not be how I pictured things going, and I’m still struggling to process everything, but one thing is clear to me. I am keeping this baby.”

SABRINA

1 MONTH LATER

“Ican’t believe you’re moving back home,” Addison complains, sealing yet another moving box with tape.

Rolling my eyes at my sister’s grumbling, I meticulously place a bubble-wrapped mug into the box. Glancing around, the once-vibrant apartment now feels empty and unfamiliar.

When I ended things with Paul, he offered to find a new place and let me keep our shared home. He’s always been so kind and considerate, even after I shattered his heart.

If only his kindness was enough to make me love him.

It’s only been a few weeks since I made the decision to move back home, but I still couldn’t shake my doubts. After I found out that I’m pregnant, I initially planned on telling my parents immediately. However, when my mom mentioned that they had to let go of yet another manager at the vineyard, I bit my tongue. Instead, of sharing the news, I offered my help without hesitation.

My main goal for attending college was to eventually take over the family business. However, my relationship with Paul took center stage and I pushed my career aspirations aside. When Addison moved here for her dream job in the city, it wasconvenient to ignore my growing unease about the direction of my life. But now, everything has changed. My priorities are different.

I’m different.

After I worked out the logistics of joining their company and moving home, I found it easier to justify not telling them about my pregnancy. After all, big news like this is better delivered in person, right? Or maybe I was afraid they would be angry that I don’t know who the father is.

With a grunt, Addison hoists the heavy box onto the stack, then turns to face me with a raised eyebrow. “Seriously, Sis, is this a cry for help? Early mid-life crisis? Wait, no it would be more of a late quarter-life crisis?”

“No, it’s neither of those,” I reply, but she continues without pause.

“How did I not know you were so unhappy here? Is that why you broke up with Paul? Because you hate New York? We see each other all the time. How did I miss this?” She closes the gap between us and takes my hands in hers. “You still have me, sis. I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t talk to me. But I’m here for you. We can find a place to live together and split the rent if you want. And now that we’re both single, we can hit up all the clubs. You don’t have to leave!”

“Addison, just breathe.” I softly grasp her hand and guide her towards the kitchen bar stools. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”

She collapses into the seat, pulling me down onto the chair beside her.

“What’s going on? I thought you were happy here and now you’re suddenly moving back home. Talk to me, Sis. Just tell?—”

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out.

Addison’s jaw drops open, but she remains silent for the first time today. I wait for her to say something, anything, but after a long pause of just staring at me, I cave and continue.

“That’s why I’m moving back. I mean, it’s not the only reason, but given everything else going on in my life, going back home just feels like the right thing to do. I haven’t been this sure of something since… well, since going on the honeymoon over Christmas.”

I bite my lip, trying to push the thoughts of Noah aside and focus on my sister.

“Ads, you didn’t do anything wrong. Hell, I didn’t even know how unhappy I was until the week I called off the wedding. So there’s no way you could have known. I’m not leaving because of anything you did or didn’t do.” I squeeze her hand, emphasizing my point and hoping to snap her out of her frozen state. “This way, everyone wins. I get to help Ma and Pa out with the winery, they’ll be close by to help me with the baby, and?—”

“Oh my god!” Addison finally squeals, jumping from her seat and bouncing in front of me. “I’m gonna be an aunt! Holy shit, this is amazing. Mom and Dad are gonna be so happy. And sure, it sucks that you won’t be close to me anymore, but thankfully my new role lets me work remotely so I can fly home to visit whenever. Wait!”

She plops down in the seat next to me, her eyes bulging as she leans closer to whisper shout,

“Does Paul even know you’re leaving? Or that you’re pregnant?”

“Well, considering it’s not his baby, I didn’t think he needed to be involved…” I reply coolly.

“Wait, what?” she stutters, blinking at me in confusion. Considering I never went into that much detail about my trip, I don’t blame her.

“Yeah, remember the guy I told you I met on my honeymoon for a one-night-stand?”

“Yeah…” Her narrowed eyes fix their gaze on me, attempting to extract every detail from my mind. “The one who was hotand you clicked with right away but then never exchanged information?”

I cringe, bracing myself for her reaction.

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