Chapter 6 The Walls Are Closing In

I leaned back against the polished glass of my apartment's windows, the view of the city skyline stretching before me like a sea of twinkling stars. But tonight, the lights felt cold, distant-just like everything in my life right now.

The soft hum of the refrigerator and the distant rumble of the street below were the only sounds accompanying my silence. I hadn't heard from Jordan in over twenty-four hours, and Declan had disappeared after our conversation at the hospital. As much as I tried to keep myself grounded, the weight of the situation pressed down on me like a vice.

I rubbed my belly absently, my fingers tracing the curve beneath my loose sweater. It felt surreal-this tiny life growing inside me, the unknown future, the demands of two men who would never let me go without a fight. I wasn't sure if I was ready to deal with it all. I didn't have a choice. But maybe-maybe if I just pretended it wasn't happening for a little longer, I could find some peace.

The knock on my door startled me, snapping me from my thoughts. My heart leapt to my throat, and I froze. No one came to my apartment anymore, not unless they had a reason. And I was quite certain none of the reasons were good.

I hesitated before walking over to the door, my mind racing through possible scenarios. Was it one of the two men, or was it someone else? Someone with a message I didn't want to hear? I could feel my pulse quicken as I reached for the handle.

I opened the door, my breath catching in my throat when I saw who stood there.

"Declan," I breathed, blinking in surprise.

His sharp jawline and piercing blue eyes seemed even more intense tonight, framed by the casual leather jacket he wore. There was an unsettling tension in his posture-something I hadn't seen in him before. Declan always carried himself with an air of effortless confidence, but now, his jaw was tight, and his eyes weren't meeting mine.

"Can we talk?" His voice was low, gravelly-filled with an urgency I hadn't expected.

I stepped back instinctively, holding the door half open. "I don't think we have anything to talk about, Declan."

He met my gaze, his expression softening, though only slightly. "I think we do, Lila. This... situation-it's not going away."

My hand tightened around the door frame, a flush of heat sweeping through me. I swallowed hard. "You don't get it. You've been nothing but a complication, Declan. And now... now it's bigger than just you and me. This is about my life, my future. I don't need this drama right now."

He exhaled, pushing a hand through his dark hair, his posture relaxing ever so slightly as if he was letting the words settle. "I didn't mean to complicate things, but it's already complicated. We both know that."

I bit back the retort I wanted to throw at him, feeling a rush of frustration. "What do you want from me, Declan?"

His eyes held mine, his gaze so intense that it felt like it could pierce through me. "I want to help you, Lila. I don't want to add to the pressure. You don't have to go through this alone."

I stared at him, my chest tightening. The words hung in the air, his sincerity evident despite the tension that lingered between us. But I couldn't let myself be fooled. Not now. Not when everything I thought I understood about myself was being torn apart.

"I'm not asking for anyone's help," I said firmly, closing the door slightly but not all the way. "I just want space. Space to figure this out."

Declan didn't back away, though. His hand shot out, stopping the door from closing completely. He leaned in just a little, his voice lower now, almost a whisper. "You don't have to do this alone. I know you don't believe me, but I can be here for you. You're scared, and I get that. But this baby-it's mine, too. I'm not going anywhere."

I closed my eyes, his words stirring something in me I wasn't ready to face. I couldn't afford to feel like this-not for him, not for anyone. I didn't have the luxury of giving in to my emotions right now.

"Please leave," I said quietly, keeping my gaze fixed on the door. "I need to be alone."

For a moment, Declan didn't move. Then, with a long sigh, he stepped back. "I'm not giving up, Lila. You'll see that." He turned to leave, but paused just before rounding the corner. "And for the record, I care about you. More than you know."

I heard the soft click of the elevator doors as he disappeared, leaving me standing in the quiet hallway, the words lingering like smoke in the air.

I closed the door, leaning against it with a heavy sigh.

As I slid down the door to sit on the floor, I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of it all. The baby. The two men. My future, uncertain and slipping further away by the second.

But before I could even gather my thoughts, the sound of my phone buzzing on the table broke through the silence.

I picked it up with trembling fingers, glancing at the name on the screen. Jordan.

I hesitated for a long moment, the memories of our past creeping into my mind-the late nights, the distance, the lies. The affair.

But I pressed accept anyway. I couldn't keep running from this forever.

"Lila," his voice came through the phone, gruff but familiar. "We need to talk."

I swallowed hard. "I don't think we have anything left to say."

His voice softened. "I think you'll change your mind when you hear what I have to say."

A knot formed in my stomach as I stood up, feeling the pressure of everything bearing down on me. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm coming over."

Before I could say another word, he hung up.

I was stuck between two worlds, and neither of them was offering a lifeline.