Page 134 of Steps

“Oh God,” Alison mutters, scurrying to her side.

“Hospital,” Daniel sputters in fright. “Let’s goto the hospital.” He and Alison help Mom to the car.

Varen drives behind them. The entire time I’mwringing my hands together and praying that the baby is okay.

We wait in the lobby while nurses tend to my mom.Alison sits across from Varen and me, while Daniel paces around nervously.

A doctor comes over to speak to him at last,explaining what had happened. I can’t hear them, but I figure it out from theway tears pool down his face and how heartbroken he appears. He walks away withthe doctor.

I pull my hand from Varen and arch over, sobbing quietly.He rubs my back.

“It’s our fault,” I murmur.

“It is,” Alison grunts.

My head flies up. She stands while glaring at us.“Her doctor told her to stay rested, but Lisa’s been so stressed.” Tears fillher gray eyes. “You both did this.” She storms out of the waiting area, leavingVaren and me in an ocean of guilt.

Honestly, I was going to move in with Varen thistime. I’d decided there was no other way. But now…

It feels like an eternity before Daniel returns tothe lobby. He pauses on me for a moment then tells me to go see my mom.

I stall in the doorway, fearful of how she’llreact to my presence. But when Mom turns over and looks at me, face coated withtears and pain, she nods for me to enter the room. I slowly inch to the foot ofthe bed.

Her eyes are puffy from crying, and she has a grimexpression. “Toya... the baby’s gone.” She wipes her face.

“I’m so sorry, Mom.” I move to her side. “Sosorry.”

She draws a long, deep breath. “Doctor says we cantry again, so that’s good... I guess.” At least she’s hopeful.

Tears dribble down my cheeks. Mom grasps my hand.“Don’t you dare move in with that boy. You end it now; do you understand me?”

Her eyes water. A pleading look tugs at my heart.

The thought of letting Varen go is painful. Butbecause of our relationship, my mom has suffered a miscarriage. It’s like apunishment for wanting to be with my stepbrother.

Dropping my eyes from her, I sob while giving hermy answer. “I’ll end it.”

“Promise me, Latoya,” she insists, jerking myhands. Her voice cracks with agony.

Every fiber of my being hurts tremendously.“Promise. I’ll break it off.”

Mom pulls me down for a tight hug. She cries on myshoulder, and I do the same, for her baby and my love.

I stay with her until Alison enters the room. Wedon’t make eye contact as I walk past, knowing what I must do to Varen eventhough it’ll destroy us both.

He’s pacing around the lobby. Daniel is nowhere insight. Glimpsing me, Varen scurries over. I back up when he reaches for myhand.

He dismisses it, asking instead, “How is she?”

“She lost her baby. How would you be?” I don’tmean to sound harsh, but it still comes out that way.

“Sorry.” His eyes wilt. Of course, he knows how itfeels. He experienced a similar pain when he lost his mother. A pain he stilldeals with.

Varen swallows deeply before speaking again. “Iwant to go see her, but figured she’d probably chase me away. My dad’s prettyupset with me, too.”

I exhale a shaky breath. “We should just stopseeing each other.”

Astonished, his eyes widen, and his breathingintensifies. “What?” He clenches his jaw. “Toya…”

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