Chapter 4 Her Promise

[Raelyn’s POV]

After that, I busy myself packing the things that I know I will definitely need and leaving the rest. As I move through the house, the cheating couple watches me, and I swear I can almost feel Becky’s eyes screaming for me to leave. However, before I did, there was one more thing that I needed to do, and that’s why I turn and meet her gaze defiantly.

“Tell me,” I say slowly, my voice unwavering. “Did you ever even think about me while you were busy seducing my fiancé?”

Maybe to most it would seem like a ridiculous question, but given my and Becky’s history, I knew that she didn’t fake our friendship the whole time. Those feelings and times we spent in the past were genuine, so I was confused about how things could come to this.

“Don’t try to play the victim with me.” She growls, her blue eyes flashing dangerously. “You’re the one who stole the man most important to me first.”

Eyes widening, I take in what she is saying. What the hell? What did she mean that I took the person most important to her? When did I do such a thing?

“You really can’t remember?” She sighs, crossing her arms while her gaze narrows. “Our freshman year of college, before you met Daniel. Does Stephen Wells ring a bell?”

For a moment I don’t speak as I try to remember the names and faces of those I met briefly in college until a single guy with a buzzed head and dangerous golden eyes comes to me, and with his image a shiver races through me.

“That wasn’t what you think.” I say slowly while wondering why I was even bothering to explain. “But even if I did tell you the story of what really happened, it still wouldn’t make what you did okay.”

I wasn’t sure what Stephen told her after what happened between us, but it was clear that she decided to believe him over me. After all, she never once came to me trying to get the truth about that, and now things had progressed to a point of no return.

“Since I have the answer to my question, I’m leaving.” I announce, hoisting the duffel bag I carry over my shoulder. “But I do have one more thing to say before I leave.”

As I speak, I take in the cheating couple in front of me, and while I do, I can feel my heart hardening bit by bit.

“Be sure to remember, once a cheater, always a cheater.”

It was so cliche to say such a thing, but I couldn’t wish them the best, not after what they did to me, and some sick part of me in the smallest recesses of my brain wanted them to eventually suffer like I was suffering.

Finished with them, I head out of the house, and when no one follows me, I know that this will really be the end to the connection we shared, and despite myself, I feel a wave of pain crash into me.

“Don’t let them see you cry.” I hiss, keeping my shoulders squared while I head to my car. “Don’t you dare let them see you cry. They don’t deserve such a thing.”

And that’s why in the end they never do see.

It was after all that that I threw myself into my work, picking up any shifts I could while saving up to buy a place to stay. It only took a few weeks for me to find a small rooftop apartment in the middle of the city, and even if it wasn’t located in the best of places, it was my sanctuary.

I lived peacefully after that, at least until the day I started feeling off.

At first, I thought it was just stress-related since I was dealing with the loss of Becky and Daniel, but when it progressed to constant exhaustion, dizziness, and nights I spent by the toilet, I decided that getting a checkup wouldn’t hurt me.

Did I expect to be told that I was pregnant? No. I expected to be told that I was dealing with exhaustion from overwork or maybe some illness that was spreading.

But now that I knew what was wrong with me, I had no choice but to face the reality that was beginning to come together in front of me.

Even if I wasn’t ready to be a single mother, I knew that the baby was innocent, and there was no way that I could do anything to hurt it.

“I’ll set you up with an OBGYN.” Doctor Vincent says, drawing me out of my daze. “You seem to be only a week or so along, so they won’t be able to do an ultrasound right away, but they can at least make sure that everything’s fine with you and the baby.”

Nodding, I hold out a hand to take the paperwork that he is offering me, and then I slowly climb off the table I’m sitting on.

Looking down, I half expect to see a baby bump even though I know damn well my stomach is still flat and toned, but for how much longer?

There’s a baby in here. I think, touching my stomach. A tiny little being that I have to protect with everything that I am.

“Congratulations again, Miss O’Malley.” The doctor says before opening the door and ushering me into the busy hallway. “I’m sure your partner will be thrilled when he learns.”

At his words, I jerk while realizing that the one who impregnated me was somewhere out there living, but would he come looking for me?

When we were together I could feel a powerful aura radiating from him. Of course, I didn’t dare ask what rank he was since I had no intention of meeting him again, but now that I was pregnant, would he somehow find me and tell me to give him my baby?

No. I growl, clutching my stomach protectively. This is my pup, my baby. I wouldn’t dare let anyone take it from me even if that meant leaving this place and starting over somewhere new.

Actually, maybe that wasn’t the worst of ideas. I didn’t have anything here holding me back. I didn’t have a family, I barely had a pack, and now I didn’t have a fiancé or even a best friend. No one would miss me if I left, and the father of this pup would never have the chance of finding me either.

“Then I just have to leave.” I tell myself, climbing into my car and revving the engine to life.

I was certain that my company had other branches in different states and even countries. I was positive that with my work performance and the results I produced, they wouldn’t have an issue with transferring me.

“It’s going to be okay.” I tell myself, deciding to approach my boss at work the following day. “Soon, we will be able to live freely, little one. Trust me on that.”