AllFreeNovel
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What’s he doing right now? Is he even thinking about me at all? Or the baby?
“Hey.” Meg gently touches my arm. “You okay?”
I force a smile and nod. “Yeah, just got lost in thought for a moment. Let’s keep looking.”
We continue browsing the mall, trying on clothes and laughing at our reflections in the mirror. For a little while, I almost feel like my old self again. I can’t quite shake the nagging feeling that something is missing, but I try my best not to think about it.
I catch a glimpse of a baby clothing store up ahead, and I can’t resist the urge to go in. Meg follows me, her eyes lighting up as we step inside and find ourselves surrounded by adorable outfits and tiny shoes.
“Look at these little booties,” Meg coos, picking up a pair of soft, knitted socks. “They’re so cute!”
“Perfect for keeping tiny feet warm.” A warmth spreads through my chest.
The store is filled with colorful onesies, plush toys, and delicate blankets, each one making the idea of having a child feel more real.
We wander among the shelves, picking out a few items that would work for a girl or a boy. A charming yellow onesie adorned with ducks catches my eye, and I imagine dressing my baby in it. It’s strange how something so simple can stir such deep emotions within me.
“Hey, what about this one?” Meg asks, holding up a small, soft-looking blanket covered in stars.
“Perfect.” I smile, placing it in the basket with the other items.
Our laughter and excitement echo throughout the store, drawing the attention of other customers, but I don’t care. For a moment, I allow myself to forget about the worries looming over me and focus on the joy of welcoming a new life into the world.
As we head towards the cash register, I spot a young couple browsing the store hand in hand. The woman is heavily pregnant, her belly rounded beneath a flowing dress. They share a tender look before leaning in for a kiss. I can see the love radiating between them, and suddenly, the pain of Felix’s silence hits me like a punch to the gut.
Hot tears prick at the corner of my eyes, and I struggle to hold them back. I thought I could be strong, that I could face this on my own. But seeing the love between that couple makes me realize how much I crave it too. And not just for myself, but for my baby as well.
Will Felix even be available for our child, or have I made a horrendous mistake?
“Excuse me,” I choke out.
I quickly set down my basket and hurry out of the store before Meg can say anything.
“Lily, wait!” she calls after me, but I don’t stop.
My vision blurs with unshed tears as I rush past other shoppers, desperately seeking a quiet place to let my emotions run free.
I collapse onto a bench in the main area, tears streaming down my cheeks. My chest heaves with sobs I can no longer hold back. Meg catches up to me, concern etched on her face as she sits beside me.
“Hey, hey,” she says softly, putting an arm around my shoulders. “What’s going on?”
I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand, taking a shaky breath. “You were right. I’m just… not happy with the arrangement Felix and I have. I thought I could do this… raise a child together without being in a real relationship. But seeing that couple back there, so in love and excited for their baby… I want that, too. I don’t want to do this alone.”
She listens carefully, her eyes filled with empathy. “You deserve to be happy, Lily. You deserve love and support, especially now. Have you talked to Felix about how you feel?”
I shake my head, my heart heavy with fear. “No. He knows I want more, though. I don’t want to bring it up because I’m scared of what he might say. He’s never been one for commitment, and I don’t want to push him away.”
“Maybe it’s time you were honest with him. Tell him what you need, what you want. If he truly cares about you, he’ll listen.”
Her words resonate with something deep inside me, and I know she’s right. I’ve spent so long trying to fit into the mold of what others want me to be — the perfect daughter, the perfect fiancée, the perfect friend. But if I’m about to become a mother, I owe it to myself and my child to be true to my own desires.
“Maybe you’re right.” The determination builds within me. “I need to be honest with him. Maybe the truth really will set me free.”
“Exactly.” Meg gives me a tight squeeze. “You’re stronger than you think, Lily. You can do this.”
“Thank you, Meg,” I whisper.
We sit there for a few more minutes, allowing the chaos of the mall to swirl around us while I steady my breathing and gather my resolve. Soon, I stand up, wiping away the last of my tears. I know what I have to do now: face Felix and lay my heart bare.
