Emma's POV
The mere thought of being pregnant from a one-night fling left me feeling confused and overwhelmed. Could it really be possible? How could a one-night stand lead to this?
Lizzy's voice erupted in anger, her words startling me. "Oh my! Emma, I can't believe you're pregnant with Matt's baby!" she exclaimed.
What? Matt's baby? But before I could explain further, Lizzy's frustration continued to pour out.
"That asshole rejected you and cheated on you with your friend! God, if you're pregnant with his baby, he needs to take responsibility!" Lizzy's voice was filled with righteous anger, fueled by her protectiveness towards me.
Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I said, "Lizzy, I understand your concern, but it's not Matt's baby. I never slept with him. Remember the night I told you about? It was a one-time thing with a complete stranger. I don't even know his name."
As the words settled between us, a mixture of relief and realization crossed Lizzy's face. Her anger softened, and concern replaced it. She stepped closer and placed a hand on my arm, offering her support.
Lizzy's genuine care touched my heart, and I continued, "I don't know. I mean, I'm not even sure I'm pregnant."
Lizzy's face lighted up with a sudden realization. "Oh, right! I'm so silly! I have a pregnancy test stick. Let me fetch it for you."
I nodded eagerly, a mix of nervousness and anticipation coursing through my veins. Lizzy hurried off, determined to retrieve the test that would provide us with the answers we sought. She returned in what felt like moments, clutching the test stick in her hand.
"Here, take this," Lizzy said gently, "Go to the bathroom and take the test. Whatever the result may be, remember that I'm here for you, okay?"
Touched by her words, I nodded, feeling a swell of gratitude within me. "Thank you, Lizzy. Your support means a lot to me. I don't know what I'd do without you."
With a faint smile, she squeezed my hand reassuringly. "You'll never have to find out, Emma. We'll face this together, no matter what. Take the test, and remember that I'm just a call away."
As I nodded and headed toward the bathroom, a sharp and demanding voice pierced through the air, halting me in my tracks.
"Where is my martini? And where are you going?" Sophia appeared out of nowhere, blocking my path with an air of entitlement. I instinctively took a step back, tightly clasping the test stick in my hands, desperate to keep it hidden from her prying eyes. However, even in her confusion, Sophia raised an eyebrow, suspicion etched across her face. "You look shady. What are you hiding from me?"
Anxiety coursed through me as I felt my heart pound rapidly against my chest. I pressed myself against the wall, attempting to maintain composure. "No," I replied firmly, holding my voice steady. "It's not your business. Now, please, leave me alone."
The confusion deepened on Sophia's face as she took a step closer, her voice escalating in volume. "What's in your hands? Show me!"
My heart raced, and a surge of panic threatened to engulf me. But I refused to succumb to her demands. "I told you it's none of your concern. Now move, Sophia."
But instead of moving, Sophia reached out, determined to snatch the test stick from my hands. I struggled, but she was stronger than me. Just when she was about to succeed, her ringing phone interrupted the tension-filled air. Sophia's expression shifted, a sickly sweet tone replacing her previous hostility as she answered the call. "Yeah, Matt. You missed me already?"
Her gaze lingered on me, a twisted satisfaction evident in her eyes as she deliberately flaunted her connection with Matt. However, my heart had long moved beyond the pain he caused, and now all I felt was a sense of disgust whenever I saw them together.
Seizing the opportunity, I tried to slip past Sophia and make my way to the bathroom, but she swiftly moved to block my path, her intention clear. "You're not going anywhere," she declared, her voice laced with a mix of determination and spite.
"Where are you?" I could vaguely hear Matt's voice coming from the other side of the phone.
"Alex has arrived, and we will discuss the peace treaty tomorrow. Everything should go smoothly."
Sophia smirked, relishing in her perceived importance. "Don't worry. Nothing will go wrong. When you meet him, you can take him for some fun at the Paradise Bar. I'll be here, patiently waiting for you."
"Fine," Matt replied curtly before ending the call.
Alex from the Blackwood pack? The long-awaited peace treaty was finally on the horizon after being postponed for a month. Thoughts swirled in my mind as I tried to process the significance of this meeting.
However, Sophia misconstrued my silence as jealousy, evident from the self-assured smirk on her face. "You see? Matt needs me everywhere. Once everything is settled, he will marry me, and I'll become the Luna of the Eclipse pack."
I looked at her, my expression devoid of emotion, and gave her a plain nod. "Okay. Now, can you please move out of my way?"
Irritated by my calm and collected reaction, Sophia attempted to grab my arm to halt me, but this time I was prepared. I swiftly dodged her grasp, evading her clutches. Without wasting a moment, I sprinted towards the bathroom, determined to escape her. Just in the nick of time, I managed to close the door before she could forcefully intrude.
Outside the bathroom, Sophia's voice grew louder as she shouted in frustration. Ignoring her outburst, I took a deep breath, placing my hand over my chest in an attempt to calm my racing heart. I reminded myself that there were more important matters at hand.
With a resolute determination, I unwrapped the pregnancy test stick from my clenched hand, ready to face the truth that awaited me.
As I anxiously waited for the result, my hand couldn't help but tremble. What would I do if I was truly pregnant with the stranger's baby? A wave of regret washed over me for not even knowing his name. But then again, why did it matter? It was just a fling.
But as I recalled the brief encounter, the night with him had been filled with blissful moments—his gentle touch, his passionate kisses, and the sound of his husky voice calling my name.
Blushing at the memory, I couldn't deny the profound connection I had felt with him. The idea of carrying his baby, though unplanned, suddenly didn't seem like such a bad idea. The warmth and care I had experienced that night had been incredible, and secretly, a part of me began to look forward to the miracle growing within me. After all, my world felt empty and devoid of family ever since my dad passed away. This pregnancy could be a chance for that to change.
After what felt like an eternity, I knew the result had appeared on the test. Taking a deep breath, I mustered the courage to look down. My eyes widened, and suddenly, tears welled up, forming a red-rimmed haze. I was pregnant. I tenderly caressed my belly, feeling a mixture of awe, fear, and excitement. There was truly a miracle growing inside me.
Eager to share the news with Lizzy, I quickly composed myself and readied myself to rush out of the bathroom. However, in the midst of my emotions, I hadn't noticed when Sophia had left. Her absence was a fleeting thought as my focus shifted to the new life blooming within me.
I found Lizzy behind the bar and couldn't contain my excitement. "Lizzy!"
Lizzy looked up, her eyes lighting up with joy as she instantly realized something wonderful had happened. "Oh my, I can't believe it!"
I placed a finger to my lips, signaling for her to keep quiet. "Shh."
"Sorry," Lizzy whispered, trying to contain her excitement. "I was just so happy for you. I can't believe you're going to be a mother! And you're going to be an amazing one." She wrapped me in a tight embrace.
"Thank you, Lizzy," I said gratefully, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within me.
"How are you feeling now?" Lizzy asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.
"I don't know," I replied honestly. "Happy, nervous, and scared. I'm filled with excitement, but at the same time, I have doubts. Can I really be a good mother? Will I be able to take care of this little life?"
"Oh, you absolutely can!" Lizzy reassured me, her confidence unwavering. "You have a heart full of love, and that's the most important thing. You'll figure everything out, step by step."
"She's there!"
Suddenly, Sophia appeared with an evil smile on her face, accompanied by Matt. My heart sank at the sight of them. What could they want now?
Impatient, Matt questioned Sophia, "Sophia, what are you doing? I told you Alex would join us later, and nothing should go wrong today!"
Sophia's smile grew even more malicious. "I know, Matt, but this is big. I'm sure you'll want to know."
Did Sophia discover my pregnancy? Panic gripped me as I realized that in my excitement to share the news with Lizzy, I had left the pregnancy test stick in the bathroom.
"Matt, Emma cheated on you and got pregnant!"
Sophia's accusations reverberated through the air as she threw the pregnancy test stick right in my face. The bustling bar abruptly fell into an eerie silence, intensifying the weight of the moment and suffocating me with its oppressive presence.
Matt's eyes blazed with fury, and his anger-laden gaze pierced through me like a thousand daggers, "You bitch! I've never touched you, and yet you dare to carry another man's child!"
In that moment, my anger surged, bubbling beneath the surface. Who were they to judge me? They were the ones who had cheated first! I opened my mouth and wanted to tell everyone the truth, but then I heard the venomous whispers of the onlookers.
"I can't believe she would cheat on Matt, our alpha," a girl gossiped.
Another chimed in, her voice laced with disbelief, "You tell me! Emma was David's daughter and always seemed so innocent. Her innocence is nothing but a complete lie!"
Lizzy attempted to come to my defense, but I tugged at her sleeve, imploring her to stop. "Lizzy, please, let's just get out of here," I pleaded, knowing that Matt was the alpha now and no one would choose to believe me instead of them. Besides, it was Lizzy's bar, and the last thing I wanted was to bring more trouble to her.
As I tried to walk past Sophia, she maliciously extended her leg, causing me to stumble and crash to the ground.
"Oops, sorry," she uttered with feigned remorse, though her evil smile betrayed her true intentions. I gazed down, mustering all my strength to hold back the tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
Just as I was drowning in despair, a familiar voice sliced through the suffocating atmosphere, commanding attention and resolute in its declaration. "Leave her alone."