“I mean, we are married. Shouldn’t it be a given that we start expanding our family? I know he already has two kids, but this baby would be different. Almost like a fresh start for the both of us.”
“Hmm, imagine that.” Inari’s brows lifted, and she sat up on the edge of her stool.
“I should not be in here talking your ear off about this.” Nayelli snickered. “Thank you for listening anyway, though.”
Inari watched her go and waited until she was no longer visible before sliding the plastic bag across the counter to her sister.
“Take a break. You’re only prepping tonight anyway, right?”
“Yeah. The roast will be going all night.” Ayla grabbed a towel to dry her hands.
Scooping up her belongings, Inari padded toward Ayla’s room. She removed her apron, washed her hands, and grabbed the plastic bag off the counter. Once they were tucked away in her room, she pulled out the box and studied it. Inari plopped on her bed and crossed one leg over the other.
“Go on now. I ain’t got all night, and I need to know!” she encouraged, waving Ayla toward the door.
Ayla took baby steps the entire way. Part of her already knew, but this test was confirmation. A faint pregnant appeared before she could even set the test on the counter. Staring up at her reflection in the mirror, eyes misting and weary, Ayla covered her mouth and sobbed into her hand. The test slipped from her grip into the sink, and she grabbed the counter when Inari let herself into the bathroom.
“How? How did I let this happen? What the fuck is wrong with me?” she whispered, eyes spiraling back and forth while trying to keep up with her inner thoughts.
“Trust me, it’s very easy to get caught up in some shit and be stupid.” Inari grabbed the test and shook her head. “You, baby sister, are in deep.”
“I can’t be here.” Ayla backed away from the sink and raced out of the bathroom.
“What are you talking about?” Inari placed the test stick on the counter and followed her.
“Inari, do you realize what this means? I’ve been pregnant all this fucking time, which means a baby is coming. I cannot be here in this house when that happens.”
“Where are you going to go? Your entire life is here.”
“And it’s about to get turned upside down! With a fucking baby! Kong’s baby!”
“That’s right! It’s his baby, too, so that means you need to tell him and figure out what happens next,” Inari presented.
Ayla yanked the closet open, barely able to see or grab her luggage through the tears in her eyes.
“Figure out what happens? He is married! We just sat in the kitchen talking to his wife like I haven’t fucked her husband… in this very house!” Ayla tugged on her rolling luggage bag and brought it to the bed. “I have to get away from here. After this dinner, that’s it. I’m done.”
“Well, you can move back in with me and Dane.” Inari threw her hands up.
She sensed there was no talking her sister out of this. Although she was pretty sure she wasn’t thinking straight, given what she’d learned.
“But Danilo has been around lately. A lot. I’ve even been spending time with him.”
“Why?” Ayla sneered.
“We’ve been trying to see about making this family thing work,” Inari lied.
“That doesn’t make any sense.” Ayla called her out. “Why would you give him another chance after everything?”
“He’s the father of my child?—”
“Oh, fuck that.” Ayla shook her head. “See, that’s the mindset I need to get away from.” She aimed an accusing finger at her sister. “Do you hear yourself? You don’t want Danilo. You’re sacrificing your happiness so Dane can have a two-parent home. It’s not fair to him or you. Fuck Danilo! And fuck Kong too. He didn’t want me, or us. He chose to marry a whole other bitch and said fuck anything we could be.” Glossy eyes filled with agony stared back at Inari, and she ached for her sister.
Ayla was holding in so much, and she didn’t deserve it.
“Listen to me,” Inari reached for her hand.
She was so rattled her entire body shook, and the tears wouldn’t stop spilling down her cheeks.
