I almost lashed out that it was none of her business, but she only said it because she wanted what was best for me. “I’ve always loved that about you. You’re never afraid to tell me the truth.”
“We’ve been friends too long for me to sit back and watch you burn it all to ashes. You love them, and they care about you. They’ll do the right thing.” She sounded so certain that my heart leaped in anticipation of a bright and beautiful future.
I tamped down that ridiculous fantasy. “The best I expect from them is that they let me have the baby without any fuss. I doubt any of them care to be a father.” My chest constricted, and I stopped talking to keep from breaking down in tears.
“You don’t know that. You’re making assumptions and assuming the worst.” Lila patted my foot beneath the blanket, then stood. “I forgot my drink. You want anything?”
“Water would be great.” I made myself take a bit of the sandwich. Made myself chew and swallow, then spoon up a bite of the rich tomato soup and let the flavors ease my anxiety away.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I set everything aside to fish it out. It buzzed a second time, and a jolt of hope sparked deep in my chest. Maybe they were texting to tell me they were not giving up on me. I wanted that, even though I’d told them to go. My own wishy-washy wants and expectations appalled me. I refused to be disappointed if the text was from someone else.They’d honored my wishes. How dare I feel anything other than relief that they held true to their word?
The ridiculous giddy feeling evaporated in an instant when the unknown number appeared on my screen. I checked over my shoulder for Lila, afraid to let her see the new messages.
She’d moved to the other side of the kitchen and stood with her back to me. I’d tell her about them later, once I knew what they said.
I swiped over to my texts.
This is what happens when you keep making mistakes. Mistakes end in happy little accidents. Get rid of yours and walk away. Ignore this warning, and I’ll do more than leak pictures. Ignore me again, and I’ll blow your secret wide open.
They’d had the nerve to end the threats with a smiley face emoji that twisted my stomach. I’d never be able to look at emojis the same way again.
Walk away. The clear underlying threat knocked me back into the couch with my phone clutched to my chest.
My vision wavered, and I sucked in a lungful of air. The black spots danced out of sight. Get rid of yours. No. Never. I gripped my phone tighter and ground my teeth together.
How could I end this?
The last thing I wanted to do was walk away from the men I’d fallen head over heels for. Lila might be right. I might even love them. Didn’t that mean I should be willing to sacrifice for them? I would. As much as it destroyed me to even think it, I would walk away from them if it protected their reputations and saved my career.
But I absolutely, under no circumstances, would not abort my baby to satisfy this sick motherfucker trying to blackmail me. I would not sacrifice my baby for anyone or anything.
Lila carried two glasses into the living room and handed me one. Ice water clinked in clear glass, condensation gathering on the sides and trickling down over her fingers.
I took it from her and gulped half the glass before setting it down on the table beside my food.
“Eat.” Lila nudged my plate closer. “Whatever that is, it can wait five minutes. You need food or I’m taking you back to the hospital.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I’m going to be the best aunt this world has ever seen. If that has to start right now with me forcefeeding you so you don’t collapse again, so be it.” She perched on the edge of the couch and poked my plate. “Eat.”
“Fine.” I grumbled but took another bite. I chewed my way through my emotions, eating the sandwich and half the soup before a resolution dawned on me. I would not give up my child, but I would give up my career at Elevate.
The thought hurt, but it would be for the best. I hugged the blanket tighter over my body and typed out the message.
I’ll turn in my letter of resignation tonight.
A response dinged right away.
I want proof.
I had no idea how to manage that without giving away private email addresses. Grimacing, I showed Lila the messages.
Her eyebrows shot up and she nearly ripped the phone from my hands. “You can’t do this, Harper. Why would you let this anonymous person have such a hold on your life? Tell them you’re going to the police.”
“And the police will do what?” I took my phone back and typed out a message that I immediately deleted. “Nothing has been done. It’s all threats.”
“They can track the number and see who’s behind it.” Lila slapped her hands onto her thighs with a loud clap. “Don’t let them do this to you.”
