Page 13 of Through the Storm

“She’s Dr. Meier’s patient,” she continues, “and I’ve been sitting in on her checkups. She has some health stuff going on, and we’re keeping stress as low as possible.”

Health stuff.

My hands shake as I force myself to pick my fork back up. Katy’s pregnant. And something’s wrong. The memory of that night slams into me, and regret hits me so hard it makes me dizzy.

Ella’s tone sharpens. “Which is why I need you all topromiseto stay calm for the next part.”

“There’s a next part?” Leo asks, eyebrows up.

“Promise.” She fixes us with a look that saysdon’t even try me.

I groan. “You’re killing me. Just tell us.”

“She’s going to do this on her own,” she declares. “There’s not a dad in the picture, and that’s how she wants it. So, if you see her, you willnotask questions. No prying. No detective work. Just pretend it was immaculate conception and be excited. Got it?”

My vision tunnels.

No dad in the picture.

Immaculate conception.

Jesus fuck. I’m a fucking idiot.

Ella’s green eyes land on me. “Ben? You okay? You look like you’re about to pass out.”

I shake my head too fast. “Yeah. Fine. Just…shock. Known her forever, you know?”

Her expression softens. She believes me.

Around me, the conversation resumes, with Jack offering legal advice, Mateo and Leo swearing they won’t interrogate Katy, Ella shooting everyone her patenteddon’t even think about itlook.

I sit there, numb, while my steak goes cold.

Pregnant.

No dad.

Doing it alone.

My brain spirals, replaying the way I walked out that night. The look on Katy’s face. The call I never made.

What if…

What if I’m the dad?

The thought somehow doesn’t scare me.

What does scare me is the possibility of not being there.

Like hell I won’t be in the picture.

I mumble something about errands after dinner and bolt before anyone can stop me. My thoughts won’t slow down. I don’t realize where I’m going until I’m parked in front of her house.

The porch light’s on, and her car’s in the driveway.

And now that I’m here, I realize I have absolutely no plan.

What do you even say to the girl you ghosted who might now be carrying your baby?