Chapter 4 Pregnancy

Lena woke up with a wave of nausea so strong that she barely made it to the bathroom.

She sat on the cold tile floor, hugging her knees, breathing heavily.

The dizziness, exhaustion, and the unsettling feeling in her stomach were getting worse by the day.

At first, she chalked it up to stress-after all, her entire life had just collapsed. But deep down, something didn't feel right.

A few weeks had passed since Lena walked out of her family home with nothing but a small bag and the little cash she managed to withdraw before her father froze her accounts.

She had been staying in a modest hotel, stretching every dollar while trying to figure out her next move.

But things weren't getting any easier.

She had been job hunting tirelessly, but every door seemed to close before she even knocked.

"This can't just be stress," she muttered to herself, staring at her pale reflection in the bathroom mirror.

With a shaky breath, Lena decided to go to the hospital.

She had no insurance, but she couldn't ignore her health anymore.

Sitting nervously in the doctor's office, Lena's heart pounded in her chest.

The doctor, an older man with kind eyes, walked in with a wide smile.

"Congratulations, Miss Calloway," he said, looking at her chart. "You're a few weeks pregnant."

Lena's breath caught in her throat.

"P-Pregnant?" she stammered, her eyes widening in shock.

"Yes," the doctor nodded. "From the tests, everything looks normal so far. You'll need to start prenatal care soon to ensure both you and the baby stay healthy."

Lena barely heard anything else he said. Her mind was spinning.

Pregnant? Now? When her life was already falling apart? She felt like the walls of the office were closing in on her.

"Is there... is there any mistake?" she whispered, gripping the edge of the desk.

The doctor smiled gently. "I understand this might be unexpected, but the results are accurate. You have options, and we can discuss them whenever you're ready."

Lena stood up abruptly, muttering a shaky "Thank you," before stumbling out of the office.

As she walked down the busy streets, her hands instinctively rested on her stomach.

A baby. Daniel's baby.

Her mind flashed back to the day she left home, to everything she lost, and now-this.

Back in her hotel room, Lena sat on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Tears welled in her eyes. She had no job, no support system, and now she was going to be a mother.

"I can't stay here," she whispered to herself.

She couldn't risk Sienna, Daniel, or her parents finding out.

They would never leave her alone if they knew.

The next day, Lena packed her few belongings, withdrew the last of her savings, and left the city without looking back.

She arrived in a small town where no one knew her, rented a tiny apartment, and started working odd jobs to survive.

Six Years Later

Lena stood in front of a tall glass window, looking down at the bustling streets below.

The office space she had just rented felt surreal.

She had worked hard for this moment-building her fashion company from scratch, working under others to gain experience, and now, she was finally ready to run her own business.

"Mommy!" Noah's excited voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

He ran into the office, holding his favorite superhero toy.

She smiled, crouching down to hug him.

"What do you think? Do you like Mommy's new office?"

Noah looked around, his eyes wide with excitement.

"It's so big! Does this mean you're the boss now?"

"Yes, sweetheart," Lena said, kissing his forehead. "No more working for other people. We're finally home."

After years of staying in different cities, Lena decided it was time to return to her hometown and run her company from there.

It wasn't an easy decision-coming back meant facing old ghosts.

But she was ready!

She had built a life for herself and Noah, and no one could take that away from her.

Lena was busy reviewing some designs when her assistant walked in.

"Ma'am, there's a meeting scheduled with the interior suppliers at noon," she reminded her.

"Got it," Lena nodded.

As she packed up her files, Noah, who had been playing video games with his tablet, hurried over and tugged on her sleeve.

"Mommy, can we go for ice cream after?"

"Of course," she said with a smile. "But only if you promise to finish your homework first."

"Deal!" Noah grinned.

Later that day, Lena decided to visit one of the stores she planned to collaborate with.

As she browsed through fabric samples, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Lena?"

Her body stiffened instantly.

She turned around slowly, and there stood Sienna-her old acquaintance.

Her supposed ex-best friend who'd been cheating with her fiancé.

"I can't believe it. Seeing you again feels so surreal, Lena," Sienna said, eyes wide with surprise. "So, you're back in town?"

"Oh yes. You're already feeling intimidated by my presence?" Lena asked coolly, keeping her guard up even though her words were laced with sarcasm.

"Oh please, stop flattering yourself. You were my best friend, and I still don't know why you left years ago." Sienna said, doing a good job concealing her feelings.

"Quit the act, Sienna. I'm not that naive Lena you once toyed with years ago," Lena said, smirking, enjoying the look that crossed Sienna's face.

"Whatever, Lena." Sienna rolled her eyes before her gaze shifted to Noah, who was holding Lena's hand. "Is this your son?"

Lena nodded, her expression unreadable.

Sienna's lips curled into a knowing smirk.

"Wow, the whore finally bore a kid! Though, he looks... familiar-."

Lena's heart pounded, but she kept her composure.

"We should get going, Noah," she said, holding his hand tightly and walking away without another word.

As she stepped out of the store, Lena's hands trembled slightly.

She knew this wouldn't be the last encounter.

Coming back meant facing everything she had tried to escape.

"Mommy, who was that lady?" Noah asked curiously.

"Just an old friend," Lena said softly, her mind racing.

"She's rude to you. I hate her!" Noah said, scowling.