CHAPTER 3

Friendship and Betrayals

Jane’s POV

“I drank too much and fell asleep in one of the rooms in the penthouse. I saw yours and Jake’s missed call in the cab that brought me home but I was going to call back when I got home. I’m really sorry for bothering you and Jake with my disappearance,” I finally said.

Sarah’s face softened, and she let out a sigh. 

"Oh, Jane; Jacob and I were worried sick about you. We thought something terrible had happened. Just promise me you'll never disappear like that again without letting us know."

"I promise, Sarah. It won't happen again," I assured her, grateful for her understanding.

As the days turned into weeks, life carried on, and I buried the secret deep within me. One day, I noticed I felt ill but I ignored the symptoms, hoping it would pass away soon but it became worse and I had to go to the hospital to check myself out. The doctor ran some tests and all except one came back negative.  

It was then I discovered that I was pregnant with a child and I knew that this child was conceived on that fateful night with Jaxson. It was a shock, and I couldn't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, excitement, and uncertainty consumed me, and I made a silent vow to keep this revelation hidden from my family and even Sarah.

Months passed, and my growing belly became harder to conceal. I became skilled at disguising my changing figure, strategically choosing loose-fitting clothes and using various excuses to avoid suspicion. My interactions with Sarah became increasingly challenging, as I carefully avoided any discussions about motherhood or children.

Despite my efforts, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt every time I saw Sarah's excitement for her own future, planning her life with Jake and dreaming of starting a family. I knew I couldn't keep my secret forever, but the fear of judgment and the potential fallout kept me trapped in a cycle of secrecy.

One evening, Sarah invited me over for dinner, a casual gathering to catch up and enjoy each other's company. I hesitated, my heart pounding, knowing that the time to reveal my hidden truth was drawing near. But as I stood in front of the mirror, contemplating my reflection, doubt crept in once again. I couldn't bear the thought of shattering Sarah's trust, jeopardizing our friendship, and changing our lives forever.

A sudden wave of dizziness washed over me, a reminder of the life growing within me. I took a deep breath, gathering the strength to face the unavoidable. With a mixture of determination and trepidation, I joined Sarah and Jake for dinner, ready to unveil the unexpected gift that fate had bestowed upon me.

“Sarah, Jake, I’m… pregnant,” I said, avoiding their faces.

Immediately, I heard the clanging of their silverwares against their plates.  I slowly looked up and the both of them staring at me. The look on Sarah’s face was more intense than the one on Jake’s face.

“WHAT???” Sarah and Jake yelled.

There was a brief moment of silence before Jake spoke again.

“Since when and who’s the father?” he asked.

“Since that party 4 months ago that you both invited me to; the father is the man who hosted the party… Jaxson”  I answered with a hint of embarrassment in my voice as my eyes were fixated on my entwined hands that rested on my laps.

Not another word said, Sarah got up from her chair angrily and began to walk away. I tried calling her back, tears filling my eyes but she wouldn’t answer me. I tried to get up but Jake asked me to give her some time. 

I sat back and cried my heart out while Jake consoled me, without judging me. I had hurt my best friend and now she was upset with me. I asked Jake to go and see how she was and he left me to do as I said. I did that as a way of sending him away so I could be by myself. 

As I sat there alone, the weight of my secret bore down on me like a heavy burden. Sarah's reaction had been worse than I could have ever imagined, and I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of regret for keeping the truth hidden for so long.

The sound of the clock ticking in the background seemed to echo the passing moments, each second stretching into an eternity as I anxiously awaited Jake's return. The room felt suffocating, and I needed fresh air to clear my thoughts. Determined to find Sarah and attempt to mend our fractured friendship, I wiped my tears away and headed towards the balcony.

But as I stepped outside, the chilling night breeze did little to ease the turmoil in my heart. How had my life taken such an unexpected turn? Fate's gift was now a complex, tangled web of emotions that threatened to consume everything in its wake.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed the faint sound of footsteps behind me until a familiar voice spoke softly, 

"Jane, please wait." It was Jake, his eyes filled with concern and understanding.

"I tried talking to her, but she needs some time alone right now," he said, his gaze shifting between the house and my tear-streaked face. 

"She's hurt, and I can't blame her. But she'll come around eventually, I know she will."

I nodded, unable to find the right words to express my remorse. 

"I never wanted this to happen, Jake. I never meant to hurt her or complicate things like this."

He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. 

"I believe you, Jane. And I understand that things don't always go as planned. But now, we have to face the reality of the situation and decide how to move forward."

With a heavy sigh, I glanced down at my still slightly swollen belly, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. 

"I don't even know how to be a mother, Jake. I never expected this, and I don't know if I can handle it."

He smiled softly. 

"None of us know what we're doing when we become parents for the first time. It's a journey we learn as we go. And you won't be alone in this; we'll be here to support you."

I appreciated his support, but my mind couldn't escape the tangled mess of emotions. My secret was out, and there was no going back. As the night wore on, the silence between us became both comforting and unsettling.

Suddenly, the sound of the bedroom door creaking open interrupted our thoughts. Sarah stood there, her face still displaying traces of anger and hurt, but also a glimmer of vulnerability. Her eyes met mine, and in that moment, the weight of my deception crushed me.

"Can we talk?" she asked her voice barely above a whisper.

Without hesitation, I walked towards her, and we disappeared into the room, leaving Jake alone on the balcony. What followed was a conversation filled with tears, confessions, and attempts to rebuild what had been shattered.

After crying in each other’s arms and consoling each other, Sarah asked the one question that remained unanswered in my mind.

“So, what’s next?” she asked.