10. I'm just his girlfriend. I'm not his wife

Neel left the room.

Overwhelmed with regret, Sara covered her face, realizing that her feelings for Neel had been a mistake. They had once been close friends in university, and she was initially drawn to his kind nature and good looks. When he expressed his love for her, she thought her dreams had come true. However, after their breakup, Neel's reaction was hurtful.

Sara had moved on, happily married and expecting a child with her husband. Her love for Yohan was deep and unwavering. She didn't want to dwell on the past or entertain the idea of being with Neel again.

Bruno Dixon stood outside the bedroom, eavesdropping on their conversation and feeling a newfound sense of fear. He wondered if Yohan Dixon knew about this.

Sara took a deep breath, knowing it wasn't the time to worry about Neel's ultimatum. She received a message on her phone, bringing her relief. She quickly composed herself, grabbed her purse, and left the villa.

Bruno Dixon watched her departure with a heavy sigh.

...

Sara Owen got out of her car and checked out the restaurant.

"Jack, I forgot to tell Aunt about this. Can you give her a call and let her know that I'm here to meet my friend Gracie?"

"Sure thing, Madam."

She hurried into the restaurant and scanned the place.

A couple was chilling on a couch near the window. Sara Owen hustled over to them.

"Hey, what's up? Why do you seem so tense?"

As soon as Gracie and Ryan Jenkins saw Sara, they jumped up from their seats. Gracie gave Sara a big hug and started crying.

"What's up, Gracie? What's the matter?"

Sara looked at Ryan Jenkins, who seemed uneasy and anxious. When she gave him a questioning look, he just shrugged his shoulders helplessly. Sara then looked back at Gracie and patted her on the back.

"Sit down, come on. Have some water."

Gracie gulped down some water and wiped her eyes after sitting down. Sara Owen looked at Ryan Jenkins, puzzled, then asked Gracie, “Did you two fight again?”

Gracie didn’t reply; Sara Owen let out a sigh and gave Ryan Jenkins a stern look.

“What did you two fight about now? When are you guys going to grow up? Ryan, spill it. Why is she crying?”

“You always take her side. It could be her fault too,” Ryan Jenkins grumbled.

Sara Owen turned to face Gracie. She knew Gracie had a fiery temper and that it was the root of most of their fights. But after seeing her friend cry like this, Sara Owen knew it was more serious than usual.

Sara Owen held Gracie's hand and whispered, "Hey, Don't freak me out, okay?"

Gracie looked at Sara Owen with tears in her eyes and said, "It's all his fault this time."

"What did he do? Don't worry, Yohan is not around to punish him, but I can." Sara Owen joked.

Gracie covered her face with her hands and sobbed. Sara Owen let out a sigh of despair.

"I'll tell you," Ryan Jenkins spoke up in a low voice, glancing at Sara Owen with uncertainty.

"She's pregnant," he said.

Sara Owen stared at the couple for a moment before breaking into a wide grin.

"Gracie! That's fantastic news!"

As soon as Gracie raised her tearful eyes and looked at Sara Owen, her smile froze.

“What happened? Aren’t you happy?” Sara Owen asked with concern.

“Who would be happy to be a mother without marriage?” Gracie replied, her voice shaking.

Sara was taken aback. "What are you talking about? The whole world knows you are Ryan's girlfriend."

"I'm just his girlfriend. I'm not his wife," Gracie said, wiping her tears.

Sara tried to console Gracie, "But both of you are engaged. Ryan has officially proposed to you. He will marry you."

Gracie shook her head, "When? After the baby is born?"

Sara was confused, "I don't understand why you're not happy with the child. It's a beautiful blessing."

Gracie looked up at Sara, "I know, but I always imagined having a child with a husband, not with a boyfriend."

Sara nodded, "I understand. But you have Ryan, and he loves you. He will be a great father, and you will make a wonderful mother."

Sara Owen cast a peek towards Ryan Jenkins, who was seated with his head bowed. “Ryan, did you refuse to marry? Aren’t you happy with the child?” Sara Owen asked.

Ryan Jenkins glanced at Gracie hatefully then said to Sara Owen, “If I am not happy with the child, I wouldn’t have stopped her from having an abortion.”

Sara Owen widened her eyes.

"Girl, why would you even consider killing an innocent baby? That's just not right."

"I know, Sara," Gracie sniffled, "but I don't want to be a single mom. I want Ryan to commit to me."

"Gracie, that's not the way to do it," Sara replied firmly. "You can't force someone to marry you just because you're carrying their child. Marriage should be a decision made out of love and commitment, not obligation."

Ryan Jenkins stayed quiet, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

"Sara, what should I do?" Gracie asked, looking up at her friend with desperation.

"We'll figure it out together," Sara reassured her, putting a comforting arm around her. "But for now, let's focus on taking care of that precious little life growing inside of you."

"I messed up, I know. But now, it is what it is. I am thrilled about becoming a dad and I’m gonna marry Gracie for sure. However, I told her that her mom is not well and now that she's pregnant, her mother needs her daughter's help more than ever. Gracie doesn't wanna leave her job, and she won't let me send a maid to help her out. And honestly, with all this going on, I don't think it's the right time for a big fancy wedding. It'll just add to her stress and burden."

“You want me to be your side piece or something?” Gracie glared at Ryan Jenkins.