Huff* "Hah aren't you excited? It's not yet time, have patience my love," I whispered down to my belly. The baby started kicking, it's the most exciting and uncomfortable feeling. It feels like a muscle twitch, a muscle twitch that you can't control. I am pregnant, it's been five months since I found out.

"Honey I am leaving now," my mother said.

"Don't forget tomorrow's appointment for the check up. It's at 9:40 am," I told her, taking a sit down by the dinning table.

"I'll be here by 9:00 o'clock to pick you up," she said, walking up to me. She kissed me on the forehead. "Take care honey." I nodded my head - approvingly. My mum left. Sigh* It's 7:00 pm, I need to check my email, I am excepting an email from the publishing company. Since I didn't attend the first meeting, I'll have to attend this one whatever the cost. I stood up to take the laptop on the counter, and sat on the couch. I opened my laptop and checked my email. I can't believe it! 

They accepted my book! They want to publish it! But I have to go to New York, to sign the contract... "You hear that my angel, mummy's book is going to be published," I whispered down to my belly, and rubbed my belly softly. "I love you so much." Tears started streaming down my cheek, both from joy and sadness. How can I go back to NewYork?

Flashback

"Will you do me the honor of marring me and spending the rest of our lives together? As I know my life will never be complete without you beside me to share it," he said in a silvery tone.

I haven't forgotten, I have tried to forget and I have failed again and again. I had always  imagined my life with him, every part of my journey he was supposed to be there and hold my hand. He was supposed to be my husband, the father of our child. We were supposed to be a family...

"He went over to that club because the owner hadn't paid him his money, and that's why he sentenced the whole club to death because of money! Whatever Lucas has told you is a lie," the Detective said.

And here I am still remorseful for a man who's words were a song of lies. The sad truth is that his words are tattooed on my heart. And the reality is my child will not have a father, my child will not grow up without a father figure. He or she won't grow up around lies and a murderer. I couldn't help but cry more. I wiped my tears. Lucas doesn't even know I am pregnant, I came back to California from Spain.

I couldn't go back to NewYork.
My father hasn't spoken to me since he found out I was pregnant, as for my mother she is overjoyed. Excited to be a grandmother. I now stay in a small apartment that my mother helped me look for. I finally found the bravery and went to the cemetery, to visit Ava. I now go there every Sunday with a rose - her favorite flower. And I even told her about Lucas, the truth. I hope she forgives me. I sit by her gravestone and just talk, she's always been the best listener.

I work at a cafe as a waitress, and also take shifts at the library. Everything changed... With everything that happened one good thing came out of the heartbreak my pregnancy. Hope. To be honest I wasn't as excited when I found out, knowing that I'll have always have something other then the memories, to remind me of Lucas. When my father found out he just banished me from his life. So it wasn't really a gleeful moment at that time. But when the baby moved in my belly for the very first time, I'd never felt more happiness in my whole life. I don't know how to explain it, it was just exhilarating.

I went to bed, my eyes moist. It wasn't easy falling asleep, it never is. But eventually I do. I woke up the next morning and went straight to take a shower, wore my casual clothes and had some breakfast. The clock read 8:40, and I had just finished eating my bowl of mixed fruits. I heard a soft knock on the door. Probably my mother, she's always comes early to pick me up because she knows before we go to the doctor we have to stop by a shop and buy gummy bears. My mum hates the fact that I have developed a craving towards gummy bears but I honesty can't help it. They are so good.

I opened the door and see Ethan? What's Ethan doing here? "Morning Clara," he said in a excited tone.

"Good morning," I replied, curiosity laced in my tone.

"Your mum isn't feeling well so she asked me to take you to the doctor instead," he said.

"Come in Ethan. What's wrong? She could have called me. I would have just gone with an uber," I said while closing the door. I looked at him and he simply smiled.

"She said that she feels pain in the front of her knee," he explained. Ethan is the next door neighbor who moved in when I was sixteen, we went to the same school. My parents grew found of him, he always helped my dad fix his car whenever it broke down. And my mother being the kind woman she is always invited him over for dinner. Ethan had a crush on me. See Ava knew it, actually everyone in school knew about it, my mum too. But he never confessed. That's odd my mum never complained to me about knee pain.

"Oh okay, I am sorry to disturb you like this. You must have a lot of work to do," I spoke in a low tone.

"No Clara it's totally fine. It's Saturday I don't have work today and besides I would love to spend time with you. We can catch up too," he said in a sincere tone.

"Okay," I replied. I went to the bedroom and took my purse. We left the apartment and got in his car - a black ford pick up truck. I kept both of my hands on my belly and my eyes on the road. I didn't say a word.

"Are you okay?" He asked in a modulating tone.

"Yes I am fine," I replied. I looked at Ethan and realized he'd become very handsome. He had tousled dark brown hair, and his face was strong and defined. "So do you have a girlfriend?"

"Well actually I had a wife, she died," he spoke in a low tone.

"I am sorry for your loss."

"Yeah... What about you? Where's the baby daddy?"

"He's dead," I replied in an undertone voice."At least dead to me..."

"Okay." The rest of the drive we just talked about high school, and Ava's death. I didn't talk about Lucas as much, neither did he talk about his late wife. We reached the hospital and we were right on time, we went straight in the doctors office.

"Good morning," the doctor greeted us.

"Morning," Ethan and I replied simultaneously. The doctor started doing the ultra sound and Ethan couldn't stop starring at the screen.

"That's the baby?" Ethan asked, pointing at the screen. He looked so excited.

"Yes it is," the doctor replied."Are you the father?" The doctor asked curiously. Ethan looked at me and than at Doctor Julia.

"No I am not. I am just a friend," he told the doctor, in a low tone.

"Oh that's great. So Clara do you want to know the gender?" She asked.

"No I want it to be a surprise."

"Okay then. They baby looks healthy, which is good. I suppose we are done here," the doctor spoke. I got off the bed, Ethan helped me as he held my hand. We left the doctors office and we headed out to the parking lot. We got in the car. And suddenly there and then, the baby started moving. It was uncomfortable so I stayed still.

"What's wrong Clara?" Ethan asked worried.

"The baby... it's moving," I spoke breathless. I took his hand and kept it on my belly. I knew he could feel the movements, he was somehow freaked out. I could tell by the facial expressions he made. The baby stopped moving. Ethan quickly withdrew his hand, and kept both his hands on the steering wheel.

"You don't see that everyday," he said.

"Hah yeah. Are you okay?"

"Yes I am fine. The baby is probably hungry," Ethan stated, starting the car.

"Yes probably." We drove to a restaurant nearby and we decided to have brunch, as it was almost lunch time. We remained silent as we ate our food. I notice two men in black suites walking towards us.

"Miss Clara you need to come with us," they spoke in low croaky tone.

"No," I replied. "Who are you guys?"

"Everything will be explained to you in the car," the other guy talked.

"She won't be going anywhere," Ethan stood up and looked at them in the eyes. One of the guys grabbed my arm and pulled me up. Ethan punched him in the nose.

"Is that how you treat a pregnant woman. You fucking asshole! You heard her she won't be going with you!" Ethan yelled. I could feel the stares, and the quiet whispers. He kept a hundred dollar bill on the table and held my hand and lead me outside.

"Miss Clara," the guys followed us outside. "We are not leaving without you."

"Who the hell are you guys! Just leave me alone!" I yelled from the top of my lungs. I kept my hand on my belly and tried to calm myself. Suddenly out of nowhere, I heard two gunshots, I look behind and I see the two men on the ground. I quickly turn to Ethan and hug him.

"Don't let them kill my baby," I said, tears falling from my eyes.

"I won't," Ethan said, and hugged me.

"Clara," I heard a familiar feminine voice call out my name. "Clara." I turned around only to see Vanessa, and Rami walking behind her. "You need to come with us. Clara you are not safe here."

"No," I replied.

"Clara you can't trust him he works for a rival gang. How do you think the two men were able to find you?" Vanessa spoke. I looked at Ethan.

"It's not true Clara. I don't work for The Vendettas," Ethan quickly defended himself. Who are the Vendettas? How does he know about them? I stepped away from him.

"Nobody mentioned The Vendettas," I said and looked at him. He looked at me, he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him.

"I am going to kill her!" Ethan yelled. He removed a pocket knife, and held it against my neck."Better yet I'll kill the heir!" He said and pointed it to my belly. I couldn't stop crying, my baby is going to die, my child. I can't stand here and do nothing.

"I'll do whatever you want. Please just don't hurt my child," I pleaded.

"They killed my wife, she was pregnant with our first child... When I found out you were with Lucas Salvador I had to come visit you, and who would have thought you were carrying his child. Pay back is a bitch Clara. I am sorry it has to end this way," Ethan spoke holding the knife towards my neck.

Bang* A gun went off, blood dripped on my shoulder. I turned around and Ethan was shot in the head. He fell to the ground and I quickly walked away from him. Vanessa walked up to me and hugged me. "You are okay now," she said while hugging me. I couldn't think straight. What the hell just happened.

"Clara you need to come with us," she said holding my hand. Rami walked up to the car and opened the door. I slowly walked towards the car, still haunted by what just happened. I got in the back of the car, Vanessa too. She held my hand. "It's going to be okay." What about my parents. Are they okay...

***
11k reads !! 🎉💕Well I am speechless and I am also very flattered. Thank you so much for reading, voting and commenting. ✨

The cliff hanger... I know. I am sorry. But I had too!😄

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