Page 63 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

“Basket?”

“What? That’s where they always put them in movies. It’s either a basket or a box.”

I shook my head at her attempt to lighten the mood.

“I don’t blame you for anything, Chlo. You were in a tough spot, and you thought you were making the right decision for your babies,” she said with a soft smile. “Tell me everything that happened in Cuba. It’s fine if you need more time.”

“I’m okay,” I said with a strained smile. I sat up while she leaned closer.

“Did you know you were going to have twins?” she asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

“I freaked out when I saw the scan. I knew right then that I couldn’t do it.”

I recalled the doctor smiling at me while I stared at the scan with different emotions flowing through me. I told her everything—the good, bad, and ugly moments. She smirked when I brought up Javier and frowned when I told her he went MIA. Her fingers clenched around her milkshake cup when I told her about the night I had gotten attacked. I broke down when I started talking about the day I had given birth.

“When I woke up, Mrs. Rodriguez and her daughter walked in with Kayden and Kayla in their arms. It was the happiest day of my life. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to protect them. I cried as I took both of them in my arms. They looked so peaceful. Kayla’s tiny lips pushed out in a pout as she slept. Kayden kept moving his tiny hands as he slept. They didn’t deserve to suffer, Vina. I’d brought them into this world, and I had no idea what to do as I stared at them.”

I allowed the tears to roll down my cheeks.

“They were so tiny and delicate, and I tried to imagine myself being a mother, but I wasn’t ready. I kissed their little heads, and Mrs. Rodriguez took a picture. I look at that picture every day, and I hate myself for making that decision. I don’t even know if she’s happy or if she is still alive, and my greatest fear is …” I broke down, burying my face in my palms.

“Hey,” Vina called softly, holding my hand. “Kayla is fine. Maybe you can get her back.”

“I can’t. I signed the paperwork.”

Vina looked speechless. She looked down at her drink and said nothing for a few seconds.

“It’s been two years.” I bit back my tears.Two years without her.“I hate myself for it. I ask myself every day if I did the right thing.” I sniffled and wiped my tears away.

“Chloe, don’t put the whole blame on yourself. Maybe there is a loophole. There is always a loophole,” she told me.

“I have to tell Tristan. He’s going to hate me.”

“Who cares what he thinks? He has no right to be mad at you for making that choice. I wish I had been there for you, Chlo.”

“I’m so sorry for keeping it away from you.”

She stood up and came to sit beside me. “I will never hurt you, Chlo. I really wish you’d told me. I would have helped you.”

“It was like going through hell, Vee. I felt so alone. I convinced myself that no one would care and I should do it on my own. I’m so sorry,” I cried. “I was so confused. I didn’t know who to trust or who to turn to. I didn’t mean to give her away. I thought I was giving her a better life. I just wanted my babies to be safe and happy. I failed them.” I couldn’t hold back the sound of my cry anymore.

“It’s okay.” She wrapped her arms around me, and we stayed in that position for a long time.

“I can’t imagine what you went through,” she whispered. “Does she look like you?” she asked.

“Not even the slightest,” I said and brought out my phone.

I went through my gallery and scrolled down to the pictures I had taken in Cuba. I tried so hard not to look at the pictures with Kayla, hoping it would ease the guilt, but I always looked at them on her birthday and cried my eyes out, thinking about how she would have grown and the person she’d become.

“Wow, that’s some daddy’s girl,” Vina said, collecting my phone to look at it closely.

Kayla had Tristan’s eyes, and that unique bright blonde hair that ran through Tristan’s family.

“She is a real-life doll,” Vina said, smiling at the picture.

“I must admit, you look stunning with the baby bump. Do women look this sexy during pregnancy?” she asked, sliding through the other pictures.

I shrugged.

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