When we arrived home, Kayler stopped the car in front.
"Hopefully, everything is for the better, Carolina," he looked at me, his expression now gentle. "I'll be here in a few hours. Are you sure? You still have time to change your mind."
"Sure about what?" I didn't look at him. The truth is, I feel a knot in my throat. I'm doing something that is very difficult for me, and I don't know if I can handle it. But I have to get to the truth, and with Kylie here, it might be easier. "I've already told you what I was going to say, don't dwell on it." I got out of the car and headed inside the house. Seconds later, I heard the engine start. He left.
"Carolina, where were you?" Anne was coming down the stairs. She was wearing her glasses. I hadn't seen her wearing glasses in years.
"Now what am I going to do with this pregnancy?"
"I was with Kayler," I admitted, sitting on the couch.
"And what happened?" she wanted to know, looking very desperate to find out.
"What I feared happened," I placed a hand on my belly.
Anne covered her mouth.
"You're pregnant, I can't believe it," she got excited. "And it's Kayler's."
"Yes, who else could it be?"
"Carolina," that's Gadreel.
I turned my head towards him. He was standing at the kitchen door. He didn't look happy, and he certainly won't be when he finds out that Kayler is coming to spend some time here.
"Gadreel," I stood up.
"I'll leave you alone to talk," Anne said and went to the kitchen.
"How could you do this?" he reproached. "How could you fall for his game? You were weak, and Kayler knows he can manipulate you, even worse now that you're pregnant," he concluded. "I would help you tell them that the baby is mine to save it."
I furrowed my brow.
"What are you talking about?"
"Forget it. You've condemned that baby yourself."
"Just say it already, I don't like suspense."
"Do you remember what the man said at the anniversary ceremony? They will use your baby as a sacrifice."
I stopped breathing for a few seconds.
"I don't believe you. You're wrong."
"It's the truth. Didn't you understand his words? I bet that's why Kayler wants to live here, so no one can harm the child because he knows better than anyone what they will do to that baby. I won't be part of this game anymore. I did what I could, I did the best I could do. If it didn't help you, then I can't do it anymore."
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"I'm leaving your house because I won't be a third wheel," he said, heading up the stairs.
I felt bad for making Gadreel feel that way. First of all, I should have been clear with him. I followed him to the second floor, where his room was. I saw him packing his few clothes.
"Gadreel, you shouldn't leave. I feel safe when you're with me. You've been more than a support to me," I let him know. It's true: he's always there for me and takes care of me.
"Carolina, it's enough. You don't need me anymore. You're with Kayler Brown, and now he will take care of you. I just hope he doesn't deceive or disappoint you again. You don't deserve it."
"Gadreel, Kayler just wants to protect me from people who want to harm me. He's not here for any other reason, and if it weren't for that, I would never let him come back to my house. This time, I'm not just thinking about myself, but about my... baby," I still struggled to say that word. I still can't believe I'm pregnant. I'm too young to be a mother, God. "Please understand me."
Gadreel sighed.
"I came here for one reason: that reason was you. Whether it's to sacrifice you... but I fell in love with you, Carolina, like a madman. I would go to hell just for you," he approached and caressed my face. "But as things stand now, you won't want to kill your wolf side, and that means you won't want to forget about him."
"I need you," I whispered.
"No," he denied. "You need him," he grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. "Goodbye, bunny. Take care of yourself," Gadreel gave me a tender kiss on the lips, and then he left, leaving me alone.
I sat on his bed and cried a little for everything that was happening. I feel like I never do things right; I feel like I am the problem.
"Carolina..." Anne sat next to me to cheer me up. "...don't cry like that. Gadreel is right. He can't be living under the same roof as his competition."
I looked at her.
"But it's not my fault that Kayler wants to come here," I stood up. "Of course, it's all my fault, for the bad decisions I make. I'm stupid, that's why I deserve everything bad that happens to me."
"I think it will help you resolve your differences. Remember that all you need is the DNA test from Kylie, and in a week, we will know if she is Kayler's daughter or not. You just have to hold on for one week, and after that, you can make your decisions."
I nodded because Anne is always right.
"Okay, I'll hold on."
"You'll need a lot of privacy for that, so Thomas and I will go to our cabin. I'll come to visit you daily, is that okay?"
"You have to do that because otherwise, I'll feel very lonely."
She laughed.
"Okay, but don't be sad. Remember, babies feel all the emotions of their mothers."
"Agreed," I wiped away my tears.
"Be strong. I know the reward will come to you. After the storm, there is always calm."
I wanted to tell her that in my life, after the storm comes a hurricane, but I better stayed quiet.
Anne and Thomas left in the afternoon for the cabin where Thomas used to live when he first moved here. I hugged myself and entered the house because it was cold outside and it seemed like it would rain soon. I feel so lonely right now without Gadreel saying things to me or giving me encouragement. I sat on the sofa facing the window to see the lake. The night came upon me, and a car parking in front of the house snapped me out of my thoughts and made me stand up.
I knew it was Kayler and Kylie. I walked to the entrance and opened the door. It hit me in the chest to see Kylie in Kayler's arms.
"We're here," Kayler told me. "Kylie, say hello to Carolina Lane," he said to the little girl.
"Hello, Carolina Lane," the little girl gave me a wide smile that made me feel even more guilty. "Pick me up," Kylie demanded, extending her arms towards me to be carried. I looked at Kayler because I didn't want to do it, but I had no other choice. For the first time, I held Kylie and felt her little body in my arms. The girl hugged me and gave me a warm kiss on the cheek. I wanted to cry again, but I held back. It felt really good.
"Hello, Kylie," I whispered. "You're very beautiful," I told her.
"You're very beautiful too," she innocently responded.
Kayler was watching both of us, lost in thought. I wonder what he's thinking. If Piper were to find out what's happening right now, she wouldn't hesitate to want to kill me.
"Thank you," I whispered to the little girl.
Kayler locked the front door, and I walked to the sofa with Kylie still in my arms. The girl didn't want to let go.
"Daddy, I'm hungry!" she exclaimed.
Oh, I felt something in my chest when she called him daddy for the first time in my presence.