There was a new security guard at the guest entrance. He looked like he just graduated from high school. I could barely hear what he was saying over the sound of my heart racing.

"No one is answering ma'am, I'm afraid I can't let you in."

"I...I need to speak to Fredrick! I've been coming here consistently for months! Check the records!"

"I understand that ma'am, but due to our policy...."

"Fuck your policy! Where's your boss?"

Before he could respond, I saw that one of the residents were going through their assigned gate. Pressing my foot on the gas, I swerved behind the car, making it inside just as the bar was coming down. Feeling like my emotions were getting the best of me, I took a few deep breaths as I parked my car. My body felt hotter than the heat outside, and I didn't want to put any extra stress on Layla. At the same time, I needed to do what was right. Even if it would ruin everything.

I tried calling Fred again before I made the walk up to his door. My palms were sweaty as I rang the doorbell. If Carla answered I didn't know what I was going to say. Listening to her brag about their wedding, was something I couldn't stomach right now.

Hearing the door unlock, I held my breath.

"Vanessa?"

Fred shielded his eyes from the sun, looking like he just woke up. He wore tank top and gray sweatpants. I avoided staring at his print that was begging for my attention.

"Sorry to come over unannounced, I tried to call..."

"Yeah...I changed my number."

Without telling me? You just told me to call you the other day, then you just up and change your number?

"Wanna come in?" He asked, stepping to the side.

"Is she here?"

He smiled, "no, she's at work."

I walked inside to see that the living room was filled with boxes. The shelves that once displayed pictures of his family were empty.

"What's going on Fred?"
He sat down on one of the bar-stools in the kitchen, inviting me to sit next to him. Feeling like I was about to pass out, I figured it was best for me to do so.

"Fred?"

His stalling to answer was bad for my nerves. I could feel the ac blowing on my bare back, but I still wanted to snatch off my strapless dress. It felt like my blood was boiling.

"We're going to be moving..."

"Moving!"

I got up from the chair and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, chugging it down without taking a breath.

"Vanessa, are you ok?"

"No I'm not ok! Where are you moving? Why?"

I leaned against the counter, standing right across from Fred. His dark brown eyes were filled with sadness.

"Carla's mom is sick; you know her parents are in Georgia. She has a friend with a firm there, and I can just transfer to another hospital for work."

This can't be real.

"But...but what about..."

"About what Vanessa? You've moved on with your life, you're finally starting the family you always wanted...it's time I moved on too."

He stood up, glancing at his watch. I realize I didn't even ask if he had to work tonight. I interrupted his sleep and though I wanted to tell him the truth, the words were stuck in my throat.

"I have to be at work soon, you never told me the reason you stopped by."

I walked around the counter, standing right in front of him. He stared down at me, trying to read my expression.

"It doesn't matter anymore, go live your life Fred. Do what's best for you."

He slammed his fist down, "I'm tired of this! You keep toying with my emotions! What is it? And don't tell me it's nothing!"

I jumped from his tone. Fred has never raised his voice at me.

"When are you moving?"

"Why does that matter Vanessa? We don't talk anymore. Isn't this what you wanted?"

"Just answer me please, and I promise I'll tell you everything."

He rubbed his hand over his brush cut, "in a couple of weeks, I'm turning in my two week notice in the morning."

Damn. This is real. Fred was going to walk right out of my life.

"Layla is yours," I blurted out.

He looked down at me, "Don't fuck with me Vanessa."

"Fred, I would never lie to you about this."

He walked over to his liquor cabinet, pulling out a bottle of bourbon. He screwed off the top and took a mouth full straight from the bottle.

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner? You wait until I get engaged, until I'm about to move to pull this shit on me?"

"Fred...I'm sor---"

"No! You're not sorry, you're selfish! You wanted me out of your life before, so you did what was best for you at the time. Now you see that I'm doing great, you wanna pull this shit and fuck my life up?"

This can't be the same man who worshiped the ground I walked on.

"That's not true! I'm doing this because I want my daughter to know who her biological father is! I want you to be in her life!"

He took another swig of alcohol and placed the bottle back where it was. He laughed to himself, "Vanessa, if this is all true, tell me why Chris doesn't know."

"What....what do you mean?"

"Why haven't you told Chris?'

Tears began to flow down my cheeks. This wasn't the reaction I was expecting. Digging into my purse, I pulled out the ultrasound picture, placing them on the counter.

"You know what Fred, I came here to tell you the truth. I owe you that much. I didn't come here to be judged and to feel like shit from someone who I thought loved me."

He quickly grabbed the pictures, his face softened immediately. A single tear fell from his left eye. I walked towards him, but he stuck his arm out to keep me away.

"My plans still remain, once the baby is born, we can work out a custody agreement."

The sound of my phone rattling around in my purse, broke through the tension in the room. It was Chris. I silenced the call, and as if Fred knew who it was, he walked towards the door.

"Fred, we need to finish talking about this."

He opened the door, "go home to your husband Vanessa, besides my fiancé will be home soon."

It felt like I had been shot right through my heart. Why wasn't he happy? Why was he treating me like a piece of scum on the bottom of his shoe?

"Fred, please don't be this way," I said as I stood in the entrance of the door.

"You made me this way."

With that said, he attempted to close the door, but I stuck my leg out, leaving just enough space for me to see his face.

"When will I hear from you? I don't even have your new number."

"If I need to speak with you, I'll call."

I stepped back as he slammed the door in my face. Looking down at my protruding belly, I cried as I walked to the car. The Fred that I fell in love with, that would risk it all for me was now gone. What have I done?