Chapter 5 - THE SECRET BENEATH HER HEART
At eleven weeks pregnant, Lena began feeling better.
The nausea eased.
Her energy returned.
And the small town slowly became familiar.
She started working part-time at the art center.
Helped organize exhibitions.
Met local artists.
And began saving money toward a gallery of her own.
One morning, Margaret brought her a basket of muffins.
“You look happier.”
Lena smiled.
“I think I am.”
Margaret glanced at her stomach.
“And how's the little one?”
Lena laughed softly.
“Demanding.”
Margaret grinned.
“Already?”
“Apparently.”
But happiness came with fear.
Every time Lena saw a black luxury car, her heart raced.
Every time an unfamiliar man entered the art center, she wondered whether Dante had found her.
She knew he would eventually learn about the baby.
And she knew she needed to tell him.
But she wanted to make that decision herself.
Not because someone forced her.
Not because Dante demanded it.
Because the child deserved honesty.
One evening, Lena opened her laptop.
She began writing an email.
Dante, there's something you need to know.
She stared at the words.
Then deleted them.
The next day, she tried again.
I'm pregnant.
Two words.
Simple.
Devastating.
She hovered over the send button.
Then closed the laptop.
That night, she dreamed of Dante.
He was standing in the nursery they'd once discussed.
Holding a tiny baby.
Smiling.
She woke crying.
Lena sat on the edge of the bed.
One hand over her stomach.
Then whispered:
“I can't keep you from your father forever.”
For the first time, she understood that leaving Dante and deciding how to co-parent were two different things.
She could protect her heart.
But she couldn't make the baby's future depend entirely on her pain.
She picked up her phone.
Turned it on.
And stared at the hundreds of missed calls and messages.
Then she opened Dante's name.
Her thumb hovered over the screen.
But before she could type, a new message appeared.
From an unknown number.
If you care about your baby, stay away from Chicago.
Lena froze.
May you like
Her blood turned cold.
Because someone knew.
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