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Thirty-Four
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
One Careless Night Thirty-Five
The next morning, I awoke to the sound of soft footsteps entering my room. My body still ached, but the sharpness had dulled, replaced by a constant, steady throb. I blinked my eyes open to see the nurse from the day before standing by my bedside, a gentle smile on her face."Good morning," she said softly, checking the machines beside me. "How are you feeling today?""Sore," I replied, my voice still hoarse."Are you okay?" she asked again, noticing the pain in my voice.I nodded weakly, even though I wasn't sure if I was okay. How could I be? The weight of everything felt even heavier now—Jack, my mother, Rachel, Alex, and now this baby. I didn’t know how to feel, what to think. My whole life had just been turned upside down again."Want to talk about your pregnancy?" the nurse asked, her voice full of concern.I shook my head."I know it's a lot to take in," the nurse said kindly, patting my arm. "But you're stron
One Careless Night Thirty - Six
As I sat there, the reality of my situation settled in, heavier than I had imagined. The thought of being a mother was terrifying. I didn’t feel ready, especially not now, when my whole world seemed to be crumbling. My mind drifted to Jack and my mother, their happiness, and how I had been left behind. My fingers instinctively brushed against my stomach, and I wondered what kind of future this baby would have, what kind of mother I would become, and most especially how Jack would react to all of this when he finds out. What would he say? Would he want to be involved?The elderly man cleared his throat softly, pulling me back to the present. "I know it's overwhelming," he said, his voice gentle. "But you'll figure it out. You don’t have to have all the answers right now."I nodded, appreciating his words. He was right—everything didn’t have to be decided today. But the thought of telling Jack about the pregnancy, or even my mother, filled me with dread. What would they say? How would t
One Careless Night Thirty - Seven
I stared at the photograph, my mind racing. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Jefferson, the man who had hit me with his car, the man who had taken me in, was in a picture with my mother. But how could this be? They lived worlds apart, their paths never crossing.I traced the lines of my mother's face, the same smile that had been so rare in recent years. The woman in the photo was full of life, her eyes sparkling with joy. It was a stark contrast to the woman married to Jack now.Footsteps approached from behind, and I turned to see the elderly man standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. His eyes followed my gaze to the photograph, and he sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging as if a burden had just been laid on them."That was my fiancee." he said softly. "Her name is Karen."My heart ached. I had never heard my mother speak about my father, let alone a fiance. "Why didn't you get married?" I askes, still not sure of my suspicions."We were very young, head over heels
One Careless Night Thirty Eight
As I lay on the bed, exhaustion tugging at my body, my mind continued racing. The pieces of this strange puzzle were falling into place, but too slowly. I closed my eyes, willing myself to rest, but sleep felt impossible with so many questions swirling in my head.Who was Jefferson really to my mother? Why had she kept him a secret for so long? What did it mean that I was here, in his house, at this very moment? The timing felt too coincidental, almost like some unseen force had guided me here to discover this long-buried truth.After what felt like hours of tossing and turning, I decided to get up and walk around the house. The moonlight filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor. The silence of the house felt both comforting and eerie, as though it held secrets it wasn’t yet ready to reveal.I made my way back to the living room, where the photograph still sat on the mantel. I couldn’t resist looking at it again. My mother’s smiling face stared back at me, s
One Careless Night Thirty Nine
I woke early the next morning, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains. The house was still quiet, almost too quiet, but I didn’t have time to dwell on the strange emptiness. Today was the day. I would go home, face my mother, and demand the answers I deserved. There was no avoiding it anymore.After a quick shower, I packed my things, slipping the small photograph from the mantel into my bag. I wasn’t sure why I took it—maybe I just needed proof, something tangible to hold on to when the questions felt too overwhelming.As I walked down the stairs, Jefferson was already in the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee. His eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, I saw the same sadness from the night before. But there was also a quiet acceptance, as if he knew what was coming.“Leaving already?” he asked, his voice soft.“Yeah. I think it’s time,” I replied, glancing down at my bag. “I need to talk to her.”He nodded, taking a sip from his mug. “I figured as much. I wi
One Careless Night Forty
My mother’s eyes met mine, and for a split second, I saw the fear in her expression—the fear of truths she had buried for years finally coming to light. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but no words came out. Jefferson stood there, silent, giving her the space to respond. He seemed to know that this moment wasn’t his to control, that it was between her and me now.“I…” My mother faltered, glancing at Jack as if unsure how much to say in front of him.“Mom,” I urged, my voice firmer. “Why didn’t you tell me about him? Who is Jefferson to you?”She shook her head slowly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I… I didn’t want you to know. I didn’t want to dredge up the past.”Jack took a step back, his hand falling from her shoulder. “Karen, what’s going on?” His voice had softened, but the confusion was still clear. “What does this man have to do with our family?”My mother turned to Jack, her expression pained. “Jefferson… he’s someone I knew a long time ago, before I met you.”H
One Careless Night Forty - One
As I sat on my bed, emotions swirling, a fresh wave of anxiety washed over me. My secret weighed heavily, pressing down with an intensity I could hardly bear. The pregnancy had been my private burden, something I hadn't yet come to terms with myself, let alone shared with anyone else. And now, with my mother's secrets unraveling downstairs, my own truth felt even more daunting.I hugged a pillow to my chest, my mind drifting back to the moment I first found out. The shock, the panic, the uncertainty—it had all come crashing down, leaving me feeling more alone than ever. And now, as much as I longed for clarity from my family, I was afraid of what they’d say when my own truth came out. My mother would likely be furious, disappointed, and Jack… I can only but wonder how would react when he discovers I am pregnant with his child.The faint murmur of voices drifted up from downstairs, but they were too low for me to make out. I felt a pang of frustration as I imagined them discussing life
One Careless Night Forty - Two
I left my mother sitting at the table, her hands clasped tightly around her now-cold cup of tea. I didn’t look back as I grabbed my coat and keys, my mind set on paying Jefferson a visit. As I stepped out into the brisk morning air, I felt the weight of her confession still pressing down on me, fueling each step I took toward the answers I was determined to uncover.The drive to Jefferson’s place was a blur, my thoughts racing, fragmented memories of small moments with my mother that suddenly made more sense in a twisted, painful way. Had she always known? Every time I’d asked about my father, she’d deflected, claimed it was “complicated” or simply said, “He isn’t part of our lives.” And all the while, she’d known exactly who he was.Pulling up outside Jefferson’s home, I took a deep breath to steady myself. I needed answers, and I wasn’t leaving without them. I walked up to his door, my hand hovering for a moment before I finally knocked. It took only a moment before the door swung
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One Careless Night Fifty
The laughter faded, leaving an unspoken tension lingering in the room, but for now, it felt comforting to have my mother’s support. I looked over at Jack, who shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor. He knew, as I did, that eventually, the truth would have to come out. But in this moment, having my mother’s encouragement brought a strange sense of calm.As the evening wore on, my mother began to ask gentle questions about how I was feeling, what my plans might look like, and whether I’d considered any next steps. She offered ideas about support, connecting me with her doctor, and even mentioned a friend of hers who’d been through a similar situation in her youth. Her presence was reassuring, filling the spaces of uncertainty with a steady warmth.Jack, however, remained mostly silent, watching the interaction between my mother and me with a guarded expression. I knew he was weighing the impact of this truth—and how much more complicated things would become once the full
One Careless Night Forty - Nine
The text from Alex tightened the knot in my stomach, making my hands tremble as I clutched the phone. Three days. It was a short deadline for a choice that could unravel my life, my family, everything.I spent the rest of the morning feeling trapped, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. I’d told Jack, and that was a relief, but now Alex knew I had only a few days to comply. If he found out I’d broken his warning and involved Jack, there was no telling how far he’d go to carry out his threats.That evening, Jack returned from a long day, looking more tired than usual. I watched him move through the house, noticing the weight of this new truth sinking into him. When he finally approached me in the living room, there was a strange determination in his eyes.“I spoke to Margaret,” he said, his voice steady but strained. “She lied. Alex is not my son.”I felt a mixture of relief wash over me. "Really?"Jack nodded in response as he took a seat beside me, exhaling deeply as he rubbed h
One Careless Night Forty - Eight
I stood there, frozen, Alex’s words echoing in my mind. The weight of the ultimatum settled heavily over me, tightening like a vice around my heart. It was hard to believe that everything between us—all the trust, all the closeness—had been built on a lie. He’d known all along who I was, known he could use me to exact his revenge.Yet there was something more chilling in his parting threat, something that hinted at a side of Alex I’d never seen. This wasn’t just a vendetta against Jack; he’d twisted our past into a weapon, leaving me with no way out. My own secrets, things I’d never meant to share with anyone, were now in his hands, poised to be exposed.Back home, I tried to steady myself, clutching my phone as if it could somehow give me strength. My mind was racing, desperate to find some solution, some way to protect Jack from Alex’s plans. But my choices were clear, and either path led to betrayal. For a moment, I considered telling Jack everything. But the thought of his reacti
One Careless Night Forty - Seven
The phone rang twice before Alex answered, his voice cool and guarded.“Sophie,” he greeted, as if expecting my call."Alex," I managed, struggling to keep my voice steady. "Look, we need to talk—alone. Please. Just give me a chance to explain why this…this whole thing you’re doing is wrong."A pause on the line. “There’s nothing to explain. You know what’s at stake.”“I know, but… isn’t there any way you’d reconsider?” I forced down my pride, appealing to whatever part of him might still have some shred of decency. “You and I—we were close once. You don’t have to go through with this.”His sigh was faint but enough to make me hope he was wavering. “You think I haven’t thought about that?” His voice was unexpectedly tight, as if my words had struck a nerve. “I have reasons for what I'm asking.”“Then explain those reasons to me,” I pressed, clinging to the opening. “If you want me to really do this, help me understand why you’re asking me to betray Jack.”There was a pause, and I coul
One Careless Night Forty - Six
My breath caught as Alex approached, his expression unreadable but tinged with curiosity. Rachel leaned back, her smirk deepening at my discomfort. She seemed to revel in the chaos she’d created.“Alex,” I managed, my voice steady despite the tremor inside me. “What are you doing here?”“Don't be scared honey,” he replied, his eyes darting between Rachel and me. “I'm only here to make a request.”Rachel raised an eyebrow, her smirk never fading. “Oh, and you can't say no to this request, Sophie.”“Really?” I looked at both of them, suspicious and wary. My gaze lingered, probing.I squared my shoulders, trying to maintain my composure. “You guys are really funny. So after betraying me the way you did, you expect me to do you a favor?”Rachel chuckled, her laughter dripping with mockery. “Oh, but Sophie, it is important that you come through.” She shot me a look that was pure malice. “You know you've a lot of secrets that we are very well aware of.”My stomach twisted. Rachel was settin
One Careless Night Forty - Five
Jack paced back and forth, the weight of the situation sinking in, his face a storm of emotions—fear, anger, helplessness. Every step he took seemed heavier than the last. The room felt thick with tension as I watched him struggle to grasp the reality of it all. Finally, he stopped, running a hand through his hair, and looked at me, his eyes darkened with worry."Rachel is dangerous, Sophia. If she goes through with this… If she tells your mother, or anyone, it would ruin everything," he said, his voice filled with dread. "...everything we’ve tried to protect."I nodded, barely able to speak. "I know, Jack. I thought she was my best friend."He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "We have to find a way to stop her. If she’s threatening to expose us, she’s not going to stop until she gets what she wants.""And that’s what scares me," I admitted, feeling my own anxiety rise. "She’s unpredictable, and I don’t know what she’s really after, Except for my Alex." I said rolling my
One Careless Night Forty - Four
I took a few steadying breaths before heading back downstairs. Jack was still in the living room, looking up as I entered, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. He must’ve sensed that something heavy was weighing on me."Sophia, are you sure you’re okay? You seemed... shaken," he said, his voice gentle but laced with worry.I managed a weak smile, sitting down beside him. "It’s been a long day, Jack. There’s... something I need to tell you."His brow furrowed, but he reached over, placing a comforting hand on mine. "Whatever it is, you can tell me," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. For a brief moment, I felt the weight on my chest lift, bolstered by his calm presence."Where is my mother?" my eyes hovered around as I asked."She just left the house not quite long." he answered, his voice laced with concern.Taking a deep breath, I finally found the courage. "Jack, I'm... I’m pregnant."For a second, the world seemed to go silent as he stared at me, his expression
One Careless Night Forty - Three
The drive back home felt surreal, my thoughts tangled in a web of secrets, choices, and uncertain futures. My mother’s deception, Jefferson’s unexpected kindness, and now, the looming conversation I needed to have with Jack. Everything seemed to be closing in, as if the walls of my life were shrinking with every revelation. I pulled into the driveway and sat in the car for a moment, gathering the courage to go inside. How would I even begin this conversation with Jack? How could I tell him that I was carrying his child when we’d barely spoken to each other since he returned from the trip? My stomach twisted at the thought of his reaction—anger, confusion, maybe even regret. But I couldn’t keep him in the dark; he had to know.Inside, the house was quiet, still. I found him in the living room, flipping through a document absentmindedly, lost in his own world."Jack," I said softly, and he looked up, a gentle smile crossing his face."Sophia," he replied, setting the magazine aside. "Y
One Careless Night Forty - Two
I left my mother sitting at the table, her hands clasped tightly around her now-cold cup of tea. I didn’t look back as I grabbed my coat and keys, my mind set on paying Jefferson a visit. As I stepped out into the brisk morning air, I felt the weight of her confession still pressing down on me, fueling each step I took toward the answers I was determined to uncover.The drive to Jefferson’s place was a blur, my thoughts racing, fragmented memories of small moments with my mother that suddenly made more sense in a twisted, painful way. Had she always known? Every time I’d asked about my father, she’d deflected, claimed it was “complicated” or simply said, “He isn’t part of our lives.” And all the while, she’d known exactly who he was.Pulling up outside Jefferson’s home, I took a deep breath to steady myself. I needed answers, and I wasn’t leaving without them. I walked up to his door, my hand hovering for a moment before I finally knocked. It took only a moment before the door swung
