chapter 15

That evening, Rita stepped out of her car and took a deep breath of the cool night air. The soft lights of the lounge glowed warmly in front of her, and inside, music drifted gently through the windows. She had chosen this spot intentionally—quiet, familiar, and far away from the chaos of the company drama. She needed a break, and there was only one person she could truly relax around: her longtime friend, Janet.

Janet was already waiting at a cozy corner booth, waving enthusiastically the moment she saw Rita. With her ever-vibrant energy and sassy charm, Janet was the kind of friend who made the weight of the world feel lighter—at least for a while.

“Girl! You finally made it!” Janet said, getting up to hug her. “I was beginning to think you chickened out on me.”

Rita chuckled softly, easing into the seat across from her. “I needed a breather. Work’s been… a mess.”

Janet arched a brow playfully. “That serious? Come on, spill it.”

The waitress arrived and took their orders. Janet ordered her usual cocktail, but when Rita asked for a fresh juice, Janet stared at her, blinking.

“No wine? Not even a mocktail?” Janet asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

Rita hesitated, then let out a long sigh. “I didn’t want to say anything just yet but… I’m pregnant.”

Janet’s mouth dropped open. “WHAAAT?!”

The nearby couple turned to glance at them in curiosity, but Janet didn’t care. Her eyes widened, and she leaned forward with a mischievous grin. “Hold on, wait a minute! Is this why you’ve been all moody and glowing at the same time? Girl! Who’s the lucky guy?”

Rita rolled her eyes and laughed. “It’s a long story, Janet.”

“I’ve got all night,” Janet said, sipping her drink with a satisfied look. “Also—pregnant? I mean, I should be all serious and responsible and ask if you’re okay and how you’re feeling, but I’m too excited to pretend I’m not dying of curiosity! So spill. Every. Single. Detail.”

Rita smiled, finally feeling a sense of warmth and relief flood her chest. “It’s complicated. It wasn’t planned, and honestly, everything at work is turning into a circus. Linet’s been a nightmare, the manager’s playing favorites, people are whispering behind my back—”

“And you’ve got a whole tiny human in there while dealing with that mess?” Janet gasped. “You deserve an award—or maybe a foot massage. Or both!”

“I just wanted a break tonight,” Rita said, sipping her juice. “To be with someone who doesn’t have a hidden agenda.”

Janet leaned over and squeezed her hand. “You’ve always been the strong one, Ri. I know things are messy now, but you’re not alone. You’ve got me. And this baby? This baby is going to have the coolest mom ever.”

Rita’s eyes misted over, but she blinked quickly and gave Janet a teary smile. “You’re the best.”

Janet grinned. “Duh. Now finish your juice, mama. We’re toasting to new beginnings—with vitamin C, of course.”

They both laughed, and for the first time in days, Rita felt like herself again. The fight, the gossip, the betrayal—none of it mattered in this moment. All that mattered was that she wasn’t alone. Not anymore.

Janet lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, her phone resting on her chest. The echo of Rita’s news still lingered in her ears like a drumbeat—“I’m pregnant.” It wasn’t just the shock of the announcement that had her tossing and turning, it was what it meant for someone else... her brother.

Anthony.

He had always been quiet, reserved—the kind of guy who stayed in the background but noticed everything. And for as long as Janet could remember, he had been hopelessly, helplessly in love with Rita. He never said it out loud, but she had seen it in his eyes. The way he’d light up when Rita visited. The way he always found an excuse to stay around when Rita was near. The way he asked about her... casually, like it was nothing, but always too often to be innocent.

Janet sighed, rolling to her side, hugging a pillow.

Now, Rita was pregnant. And not by Anthony. And the worst part? Anthony didn’t even know yet.

The next morning, Janet found herself staring into her coffee cup, debating whether to keep the secret or tell her brother. When Anthony walked into the kitchen, sleepy-eyed and shirtless, she nearly choked on her toast.

He yawned, then glanced at her. “You went out last night?”

Janet nodded slowly. “Yeah… I met up with Rita.”

At the mention of Rita, Anthony perked up just a little. “She’s okay?”

Janet hesitated. “Yeah. Well… I mean, kind of.”

He raised a brow. “Kind of?”

She forced a casual shrug. “She’s just going through a lot at work. You know how drama follows her like a shadow.”

Anthony smirked slightly. “It’s not her fault. People just don’t know how to appreciate her.”

There it is, Janet thought. That stupid sweet loyalty in his voice. Her heart sank.

“She’s pregnant,” she blurted.

Anthony froze mid-step, spoonful of cereal halfway to his mouth. “What?”

Janet swallowed hard, looking up at him. “She’s pregnant, Anthony.”

He stood there silently for a moment. The spoon lowered. His expression didn’t change much, but the light in his eyes flickered. Just for a second.

“Oh,” he said. Just that.

Janet felt the guilt twist in her gut. “I didn’t know if I should tell you. I… I mean, I know how you feel about her. Even though you never said it.”

Anthony looked down at his cereal, then walked slowly to the kitchen island and sat. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does,” Janet said gently. “She doesn’t even know. And I—”

“It doesn’t matter,” he repeated, firmer this time. He stared at the bowl like it held all the answers he needed. “She’s happy?”

Janet bit her lip. “She’s overwhelmed. But she has support.”

Anthony nodded slowly, the corners of his mouth twitching in a hollow, forced smile. “Good. She deserves that.”

Janet’s chest ached. “I’m sorry, Ant.”

He waved a hand. “Don’t be. This was bound to happen. I should’ve said something years ago. I was just… always too late.”

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Finally, Anthony stood, rinsed his bowl, and said quietly, “Just… don’t let her go through this alone, okay?”

“I won’t.”

“And don’t tell her about me. It’s better this way.”

Then he walked out, leaving Janet feeling like she had broken something delicate. Her heart ached for both of them—for Anthony’s silent heartbreak and Rita’s unaware involvement. And deep inside, Janet began to wonder… what if things didn’t have to stay this way?