Page 62 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

I looked down at my one-shoulder white top that was stained at the front and my neck, where I could feel the chocolate milkshake she’d spat on my face rolling down my skin.

“Sorry. I wasn’t expecting that,” she said when I turned to look at her.

I forced a smile, trying to suppress the scowl making its way to my face. She reached for the paper napkins at the end of the table and picked out five.

“You had me for a second. That was a joke, right?” She laughed.

I collected them from her and wiped my face and neck. “No. I had twins, Vina, for real.”

Her lips parted slowly, like she wasn’t sure of what to say.

“I need to wash this off. I’ll be right back.” I stood up and left for the restroom, leaving her to process what I’d just told her.

When I returned to the booth, she was twirling the straw in her milkshake.

“Wait, is she dead?” she asked in a low tone, leaning closer to the table.

“No!” I said loud enough for the whole diner to hear.

“Thank God.” She exhaled in relief and relaxed in her seat. “Then, where is she?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, thinking of the right words to say. I could feel my lungs about to burst from guilt. I looked down at my fingers, my palms starting to feel sweaty.

“What happened, Chloe?” Vina looked alarmed as she sat up in her seat.

“I … I gave her up.” I let the words out. They tasted like poison on my tongue.

“You put her up for adoption?” Vina’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yes,” I replied calmly this time.

“Mierda, really?Por que? Where?”

I nodded. “Cuba.”

“That makes sense since you gave birth in Cuba.” She stayed quiet for a long second, as if debating on what to say. “Why?” she asked, looking heartbroken at my confession. “Why did you abandon her?”

“I didn’t abandon her,” I countered.

“Let’s be honest. You literally chose Kayden and gave her up,” she said like I had made the decision in a heartbeat.

I’d expected this reaction, but I was still shocked at the judgment written on her face.

“I was helpless, Vee. You have no idea what I went through. I couldn’t even afford diapers. I had to give Kayla a better life,” I tried to explain, forcing my tears back. “I did my research before putting her there. She is in good hands,” I said, and she looked like she wanted to argue.

“I get it,” she mumbled, not looking at me.

“I couldn’t take care of them with my situation. At first, I wanted to give both of them up. I love them so much, and I wanted to keep them, but I had nothing. I had to choose. It was the worst feeling ever. I wished I didn’t have to, but I could only take care of one.”

“Kayla will be so mad at you,” she said and took a draw from her drink.

“Not helping. Can you please be a little supportive? I’m already freaking out about how I’m going to tell Tristan.”

“I’m not blaming you for what happened, and I’m sorry I can’t hide that I’m pissed you never reached out to me. You had to give away your daughter. I can’t even begin to imagine how that must have felt or the pain you went through. Sometimes, I just wish I had given you more reasons to trust me. It’s like I lost your trust ever since the incident, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get it back.”

“I trust you, Vee. I just feel like I need to be on guard all the time. There were moments I wanted to call you and tell you everything, but every time I picked up the phone, the voices in my head kept screaming at me not to trust you. I was scared. I thought if no one knew, then I’d be safe, and the kids wouldn’t get involved in my past. I’m sorry.”

“Stop. I don’t like crying in public,” Vina said with glossy eyes, and I laughed softly. “Well, at least you didn’t abandon her in front of an orphanage in a basket.”

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