Chapter 5 New Beginnings

The city buzzed with an energy that was both unfamiliar and oddly comforting. Weeks after her mother's funeral, Gina had packed up what little remained of her life and left the place that held too many painful memories. She needed a fresh start-somewhere she could rebuild without the constant ache of the past dragging her down.

After countless hours of scrolling through listings, she finally settled on Ravenswood, a charming city known for its small-business-friendly community and vibrant nightlife. Through an agent, she found a modest but cozy apartment tucked into a quiet neighborhood. It wasn't much, but it was hers-a blank canvas for a new chapter. The same agent also found her a tiny storefront space nearby. It was old and in need of repairs, but Gina could already envision the warm, inviting bakery she'd always dreamed of owning.

When the moving day finally arrived, everything that could go wrong did. The truck was late, the traffic stretched endlessly, and by the time she arrived at her new apartment, night had fallen. Exhausted and starving, Gina dropped her bags near the entrance and leaned against the wall, trying to summon the energy to unpack even one box.

Her stomach growled in protest. She vaguely remembered seeing a small cake and ice cream shop a few blocks away when she first visited the neighborhood. With a sigh, she grabbed a pair of pink sweatpants, a black crop top, and tucked her hair under a black face cap. Comfort trumped fashion tonight.

The building's elevator was old, groaning in protest as it carried her down to the lobby. As she stepped out into the cool night air, she barely noticed the figure walking toward her until it was too late.

"Ouch!"

The woman she'd collided with stumbled back, clutching a small paper bag to her chest.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" Gina gasped, reaching out instinctively.

The woman chuckled softly, brushing her dark curls out of her face. "It's fine, really. You must be the new neighbor, right?"

Gina nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, I just moved in a few minutes ago."

"Well, welcome to Ravenswood. I'm Layla-apartment 3B." The warmth in her smile put Gina at ease immediately. "You should be resting after a long day of moving."

Gina let out a tired laugh. "I know, but I'm starving. I remembered seeing a cake shop down the street, so I figured I'd grab something sweet before bed."

Layla's face lit up with excitement. "Oh, perfect timing! That's my shop-I was just heading there to close up. Come on, I'll treat you. Anything you want, on the house."

Gina blinked in surprise. "Seriously? That's so sweet of you. Thank you."

The two women walked side by side to the small bakery, their conversation flowing easily. Layla had a way of making Gina feel like they'd known each other forever. By the time they reached the shop, Gina's stomach was growling louder than her nerves.

Layla handed her a slice of chocolate cake and a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a wink. "A little sweetness makes everything better."

They sat in the cozy shop, chatting like old friends while Gina devoured her treat. For the first time in weeks, she felt a little less alone. Eventually, the exhaustion caught up to her, and she stretched with a yawn. "I should probably head back. Thank you again-this meant a lot."

"Anytime," Layla replied warmly. "Get some rest. You'll love it here-I promise."

Back in her apartment, Gina curled up under the covers, feeling a rare flicker of hope stir in her chest. Maybe this fresh start wasn't so impossible after all.

---

The next morning, the hope quickly faded.

A pounding headache greeted her as soon as she opened her eyes. Her body felt weak, her stomach twisting in knots. By the time a sharp knock sounded at her door, she barely had the strength to answer it.

"Oh my God, Gina-you look awful," Layla gasped, her eyes wide with concern. "You need to see a doctor."

Too drained to argue, Gina let herself be led to Layla's car. The city blurred past as she fought the nausea rising in her throat.

At the clinic, the doctor ran a series of tests while Gina sat quietly, too exhausted to worry. Layla's presence was a comfort-she stayed by her side, offering tissues and soft encouragement.

When the doctor returned, clipboard in hand, his expression was unreadable. "Miss Hale," he began, "your tests came back. You're... pregnant."

The words echoed in Gina's ears, her vision swimming. Pregnant.

Layla's hand squeezed hers tightly. "Gina? Are you okay?"

But Gina wasn't okay. A tidal wave of emotions crashed over her-fear, confusion, disbelief. She barely remembered the rest of the appointment or the drive home.

Once inside her apartment, the tears finally came. She collapsed onto the floor, her body shaking with sobs as reality set in.

She was pregnant. With J's child.

What am I going to do?

The question echoed through her mind relentlessly. Keeping the baby would change her entire life. She barely had her own footing-how could she care for a child alone? And what about J? Would he even want to know? Would he demand she get rid of it?

The thought of contacting him twisted her stomach with dread. Their arrangement had been simple-money for a night. No strings, no future. J was a man who lived in a world of power and control. A baby didn't fit into that picture.

Tears blurred her vision as she cradled her stomach, a million questions swirling through her mind. Could she do this on her own? Did she even want to?

By the time the sun dipped low on the horizon, Gina had no answers. Only an impossible decision looming over her-a decision that would change everything.