Page 102 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie

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No.

No, this is not how it’s supposed to go.

There has to be an explanation. Some kind of cruel joke. Some mistake.

But it isn’t.

Because Blake is standing there, with her, and he isn’t stopping this.

Something cracks inside me.

The pain is instant, like a knife to the chest, cutting deep, but I refuse to let the tears fall. I feel…, hollow. Like I just stepped off a ledge and haven’t hit the ground yet.

I don’t even realize I’m moving until I’m standing in front of them, looking up at Blake, my pulse a dull roar in my ears.

His eyes flick to mine.

I search them, desperately, for something. An answer. A reason. A lie.

But all I see is finality.

I swallow the lump in my throat. Force my lips to curve - not into a smile, but something close enough.

“Congratulations,” I say, my voice eerily calm. “Good for you.”

A pause.

A breath.

“I hope you’re happy.”

Then I turn around and walk away.

Not run.

Not cry.

Not yet.

I hold it in.

I make it out of the house, down the street, and into the nearby park before my legs give out.

And then…

I break.

I sob like my heart has been ripped from my chest.

Because maybe it has.

The only question in my head and heart right now isWHY.

*** (Last week) ***

“You want to know why I made that choice?” Blake says, his voice low and strained.

He exhales, dragging a hand through his hair. "A week before Keith’s return, Olivia came to see me." His jaw tightens. "She told me she’s pregnant."

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