The day before, Cara had a hectic workday at Studio One. They shot several scenes for a serial movie that was bound to be a blockbuster, given the involvement of some of the most prominent actors in the industry.
Fortunately, her pregnancy was kind to her, and she managed to work the entire day without experiencing any discomfort. Nevertheless, her hunger pangs were intense, and she had to take multiple breaks to grab a quick snack.
Finally, she managed to arrive home safely late at night. After taking a refreshing shower and enjoying a delicious meal, she collapsed onto the bed and drifted off to sleep. The following day, which was a Saturday morning, the loud buzzing of her phone startled her awake. She was surprised to discover numerous missed calls from Isabell on her screen.
"Hey...Isabell," she muttered wearily.
"Cara... I've been trying to reach you for a while."
"I am deeply sorry for not answering your calls. I've been extremely tired."
"It's okay. So... um, were you able to..."
"No, I didn't," Cara interrupted. "But something else happened. It's a complicated story that I can't explain over the phone."
"Why don't we meet up somewhere then? It's a beautiful weekend, and I haven't had the chance to spend time with you. What do you think?"
"That sounds great." Cara managed a faint smile.
"Alright then. Let's meet at Norville Cafe later, at... 2 pm?"
"I'll be there." Cara's face lit up with a smile. As soon as the call concluded, she reclined on her back, fixating her gaze on the ceiling above. The events of the past few days, particularly her encounters with Mrs. Everly and their in-depth conversations, replayed incessantly in her thoughts. Still, Cara hadn't revealed her pregnancy to her mother yet, realizing it was a matter she should address soon.
"I'm not sure how my mother will react to this. She might be upset, and the news could agitate her or worsen her illness." Cara's heart raced as she contemplated.
Later that day, the two young women rendezvoused at the café as planned. Once they were settled, Cara proceeded to recount her encounter with Mrs. Everly.
"What? She proposed that you marry her son?!" Isabell exclaimed, taken aback. Cara nodded wearily in response.
"Cara... that's fantastic news!" Isabell beamed, placing her hands on the table. However, upon noticing Cara's somber demeanor, Isabell grew concerned.
"Aren't you happy? His mother willingly accepted you, and your child will have the opportunity to be with their father and enjoy a life of privilege. You won't be left out either..."
"Isabell, you just don't understand," she interjected, her voice filled with frustration and sadness. She let out a heavy sigh and shook her head. "It's not about luxury or material things. What about my happiness? Neither he nor I have any love between us. I can't simply marry a stranger, someone I know nothing about. And to make matters worse, he's already engaged to Scarlett. I was never meant to be a part of this picture. Everything has gone so wrong, and..."
Seeing the distress and turmoil in her friend's eyes, Isabell reached out and gently placed her hand on Cara's shoulder, trying to console her.
"Don't fret, my dear. Everything will work out. You don't have to force yourself to love him right now. Trust that things will unfold naturally, I promise. But think about this: Do you honestly believe your mother would want to see you carrying the weight of the family's burdens alone, especially in your current condition? It would break her heart, and her health might further deteriorate. Moreover, your child deserves to be with their father. You shouldn't have to face this journey alone."
Cara let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. Overwhelmed by the circumstances, she buried her face in her palm, unable to contain her emotions any longer. Isabell, understanding the depth of Cara's struggle, stood by her side, offering unwavering support.
"Take all the time you need, Cara," Isabell spoke softly, her voice filled with compassion. "Reflect on everything, but please, try to hold onto hope. For the sake of your future and the precious life growing within you."
Tears streamed down Cara's face as she was consumed by a flood of emotions. Isabell's touch on her shoulder provided a comforting anchor as she sobbed uncontrollably, releasing the pent-up anguish and uncertainty.
After their heartfelt meeting, Cara made a resolute decision to visit her mother at the hospital. Along the way, she stopped at various shops, carefully selecting Mrs. Patricia's favorite things.
Despite her financial constraints, Cara was willing to make sacrifices to bring a glimmer of joy to her dear mother's life. She purchased a vibrant bouquet and several boxes of healthy chocolates, knowing they would bring a much-needed smile to her mother's face.
"Cara... you didn't have to go through all this trouble for me," Patricia murmured weakly, her voice filled with love and gratitude as they embraced. A weak smile graced her face as they hugged again.
"Mother, I'll do whatever it takes to bring you happiness. Right now, you need all the love you can get so that your health can improve." Cara's face brightened with joy, and Patricia felt a rush of warmth in her chest. She gently cupped her face with her hand and smiled.
"Just having you around already makes me feel better, Cara. And I must say, you look absolutely lovely."
A wistful smile appeared on Cara's face as she looked down at her mother. This was the perfect moment to reveal her pregnancy to Patricia, but at the same time, she was anxious about her reaction. Nevertheless, she was determined to give it a shot.
"Well, um... Mother?"
"Yes, my dear daughter?"
"There's something important I want to tell you." Cara hesitated for a moment before speaking again. Her heart pounded so loudly that she wondered if Patricia could hear it too.
"Please go ahead, my dear. What's the matter? Is everything alright?"
Cara took a deep breath, attempting to speak, but no words escaped her lips. Just as she mustered the courage to blurt it out, the doctor entered the room accompanied by his nurses.
"Excuse our interruption, Miss, but we're here to provide medical care for your mother. She will also require some rest as the medications include sedatives," he explained, and Cara nodded once.
"Understood, Doctor. I'll be leaving now." She paused and turned to look down at her mother. "Mother, we'll talk later, okay? I have to go."
Before Patricia could respond, Cara quickly exited the room.
"This is probably a sign that I shouldn't reveal anything just yet. I'll have to wait..." She thought to herself, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
Engrossed in her world, Cara strolled homeward that evening, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Oblivious to her surroundings, she often collided with passersby who shot her irritated glances before carrying on.
"Focus, Cara," she admonished herself, picking up her pace as she continued walking. Almost instantly, a black car glided to a halt beside her. The window descended, revealing a man in a sharp tuxedo and black sunglasses. Noticing his attempts to grab her attention, she quickened her steps, shielding her face in a flush of embarrassment.
"Miss Cara." A deep, husky voice echoed from behind, causing her to abruptly stop in her tracks. That voice... It felt strangely familiar, but Cara couldn't quite place it.
Instinctively, she pivoted around to face the source. The tall figure removed his dark glasses, and her eyes widened as she recognized the person standing before her.
"You...?!" she gasped, her voice filled with astonishment.