Page 46 of From Fake Dates to Forever Goals

“This baby is mine, Sebastian,” I say firmly. “And I’m keeping it.”

In the end, I couldn’t see myself not having this baby. But now, it feels like I may not have Sebastian either.

“I can’t force you to be a father,” I finally say, my voice trembling. “Just like you can’t force me to get rid of it. So, let’s just agree to let this go. We both got what we wanted: you got your inheritance, and I got my project funded.

“I’m not going to ask anything of you, Sebastian. I promise. But I’m having this baby, and I’m also walking away.”

The lump in my throat grows as I push back from the table. I get up, determined not to look at him because I know if I do, I’ll break.

“Ava!” Sebastian calls out, grabbing for my hand. I pull away sharply, refusing his touch.

“You’re nothing but a coward,” I say, my voice low but cutting. It feels as if my whole world has just shattered into pieces.

Screw him.

“Ava, you’re overreacting. Sit down.” His voice softens, but I hear the undercurrent of frustration, and I have no intention of indulging it.

I’m done.

“Ava!” he shouts again as I make my way to the door.

I pause for just a moment, glancing back at him one last time. The man I thought I knew, the man I thought cared for me, isn’t there. He’s someone else, someone who can’t see beyond himself.

There’s nothing left to say.

At home, I sit on my bed, staring at the wall, buried in my thoughts.

I can’t force him to be a father, and I wouldn’t want to. But I had hoped—hoped—he would support me, that he’d understand.

The drive back was numb, my emotions tangled and raw. Sebastian’s reaction keeps replaying in my mind—his shock, his resistance, his casual suggestion to “get rid of it.” As if this baby, our baby, is meaningless.

How could I have been so wrong about him? I thought what we had was real, something that could withstand anything. But at the first real test, he crumbled. He put his career, his desires, his ambitions above everything else—even the life we created together.

Tears blur my vision as I pull into my driveway. I sit in the car for a long moment, my hands gripping the steering wheel like it’s the only thing keeping me grounded. Everything feels like it’s spiraling out of control.

Slowly, I make my way inside, each step heavy with the weight of my new reality. I collapse onto the couch, clutching a pillow to my chest. The tears I’ve been holding back finally break free, streaming hot and fast down my face.

My phone buzzes on the table, the screen lighting up with an incoming call. It’s Sebastian.

I stare at his name, my finger hovering over the button. Part of me wants to answer, wants to hear him apologize, to tell me he didn’t mean it, to promise that he’ll be here for me and for our child no matter what.

But deep down, I know that’s just a fantasy. He’s already shown me who he is.

No.

I let the call go to voicemail, my heart aching as I set the phone back down.

I resign myself to this new reality—a life without him.

I can do this. I can raise this baby on my own.

I just don’t want to.

fourteen

Sebastian

The visions of Ava walking away with tears in her eyes haunt me. I never thought my words could hurt her the way they did. I keep replaying the moment in my mind, questioning myself, trying to figure out what came over me. I can’t believe the things I said to her. I hate myself for it, and I know she feels the same way about me right now.

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