Page 55 of Leo

“Then what the hell is it?”

“It’s everything.” She rose a little unsteadily. “Leo has a late meeting, and I need to be alone. I need to think.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I have a bag packed with some essentials I did not take with me when I moved in with Leo. Could you secure them for me and leave them on the porch? I am going for a drive.”

He hesitated, searching her face for any sign of reassurance, but found none. Reluctantly, he nodded. "Alright, but I’ll be checking up on you. If you need anything, you call me immediately, understand?"

She managed a weak smile, appreciating his concern. "I will. Thank you for being here."

Without another word, she went to get her jacket, feeling the weight of her world pressing down on her shoulders. The silence of the house enveloped her, and she felt a sudden urge to escape, to clear her mind.

Grabbing her keys, Sherrian headed out the door and into her car. She drove aimlessly for miles, the rhythmic hum of the engine providing a temporary solace. Her mind raced with thoughts of the future, of the life growing inside her, and of the uncertainty that lay ahead.

As she drove through the quiet streets, she found herself at the edge of the city, where the lights were dim, and the world seemed a little more still. She pulled over at a small park, the kind she had always found comforting in times of distress.

Stepping out of the car, she took a deep breath, the cool night air filling her lungs and momentarily easing her anxiety.

She sat on a bench, gazing up at the stars, searching for answers in the vast expanse of the sky. She knew she had to make a decision. one that would shape not only her future but that of her child. The gravity of it all weighed heavily on her, but in this quiet moment, she allowed herself to feel the full extent of her emotions.

Tears welled in her eyes, but she did not fight them. She let them flow, a release of the pent-up fears and doubts that had been consuming her. As the tears subsided, a sense of clarity began to emerge. She realized that no matter what, she had to face this head-on, with courage and conviction.

In the stillness of the night, Sherrian made a silent vow to herself and her unborn child. She would find a way through this, not just for herself, but for the life she now carried. She would take it one step at a time, trusting that she had the strength to navigate the challenges ahead.

She had no idea she had stayed out so late, or that her phone had lost its charge. She had sat there on the park bench until thebitter cold of the fall season drove her to seek warmth inside her car.

Leo was waiting for her at the door, a furious expression on his face. “Where in the hell have you been? I have been calling you for over an hour.”

“Stop shouting. I have a damn headache.” Sweeping past him, she shrugged off her jacket and slung it over the newel post and just sat on the third step.

“What’s going on?” He had followed her and was staring at her puzzled. “I called the bakery, and they told me you left in the early afternoon. It is almost eight at night. Where have you been?”

“I had some thinking to do.”

“Thinking that could not be done at the bakery or here at home?”

“Your home.”

Leo tamped down the anger and strove for patience. He had called her when he was leaving the meeting to find out if she wanted to go and have dinner. When he could not reach her, panic had flooded him as he wondered if she was in an accident somewhere.

“Okay, my home. What is going on?”

“I was not feeling well.”

His expression changed to one of concern and he sat on the step below her. “I thought you were getting better. We should consult a physician…”

“I know what’s wrong with me!” She snapped. Causing him to lift his brows at her tone.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m pregnant.’ The tears she had been holding at bay came in a flood and she simply folded her hands on her knees and buried her face there and wept.

The joy he felt at her announcement shriveled and died. She was not crying tears of happiness. He waited until the tears subsided and she lifted her head.

“You’re not happy about it.”

“Does this look like I am happy?” She shrilled, feeling the hysteria rising inside her.

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