Chapter 91

Laura and Fabian were on the veranda when Laura decided to get a dessert from the kitchen. Fabian offered to help, and both of them got up and went to the kitchen. Laura opened the refrigerator and took out a cold dessert. When she closed the fridge, she was startled to see Fabian standing there, watching her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Laura asked, puzzled.

Fabian, still staring, replied, "Miran... Why does that name sound familiar?"

Laura tried to hide her surprise. "It's a common name. You must have heard it somewhere."

But Fabian wasn’t fooled. "It's not that common. I clearly remember the day you decided to marry Morgan and said that if you had a child, the name would be Miran."

Laura was even more surprised that Fabian remembered this. "How do you remember that? It's been so long."

Fabian smiled slightly, but his tone was serious. "How could I forget the name of my nephew, a name you chose with so much love even before the baby was born? Laura, I don’t know what's going on, but I feel something is wrong. It might take time, but I will find out. You can’t just stop loving Morgan out of nowhere. You two were so happy recently."

Laura was thoughtful. She didn’t want to hide anything from her best friend, but she feared the consequences. She decided to be honest. "So many things have happened, Fabian. I wanted to tell you from the start, but I knew you’d go after Morgan to tell him. And I can’t go back to him. Before I tell you everything, I need you to promise that you won’t tell him anything. Promise?"

Fabian nodded, but with his fingers crossed behind his back, showing he might not keep the promise.

Laura insisted, her expression was serious. "Promise?"

Fabian, hesitating, said, "Yes, I promise."

Laura took a deep breath before speaking. "Mattheo said there would be a meeting where several mobsters would be present. Morgan was willing to give up everything for me, so he started breaking several laws. As a result, he made many enemies. If he didn’t go back to Loren and take control, putting everything in order, they would kill him. I couldn’t allow that, so I did what I had to do: I made him believe that I don’t love him and that this baby is Nick’s."

Fabian was visibly upset. "We’re talking about Dom Morgan. No one is a match for him! Look at how much he sacrificed to be with you and to fight for you. He would destroy the entire world just to see you smile. How could you believe Mattheo? Besides, this baby has a real father. Nick can’t just play house with you. You have to tell Morgan."

Laura shook her head, firm in her decision. "I’m not going to tell him anything. I chose to sacrifice our love to protect him. I made Nick promise he would never touch me or try anything, and he has kept that promise."

Fabian seemed even more outraged. "And until when will he keep it? Until he makes you fall in love with him and forget Morgan, Then he can pretend to be a good guy. Have you forgotten everything he did to his brother?"

Laura, tears in her eyes, replied, "I haven’t forgotten anything. But put yourself in my place: the person you love might die, and you have the chance to prevent it. Wouldn’t you do the same? Every day, my heart aches just thinking about the harsh words I said to him and how foolish, and cowardly I was for not fighting. But I can’t imagine a world without him. Even if it’s from afar, at least he is safe."

Fabian was frustrated. "I’m so angry about this. How can Nick and Loren insist on keeping people who don’t love them around while you two are suffering and loving each other? I was with Nate recently, and he told me Morgan is in a bad state."

Laura, wiping the tears from her face, added, "Nick mentioned the other day that Morgan was drinking too much, even at work. I didn’t want it to be like this."

At that moment, Owen walked into the kitchen, interrupting the conversation. "Where’s the dessert?" He noticed the strange atmosphere and asked, "Are you guys okay?"

Fabian quickly replied, "Yes, we’re fine. We were just discussing the name of our nephew, which is lovely."

Owen looked at Laura with concern. "And why does it seem like you were crying?"

Laura smiled, trying to reassure him. "I’m pregnant; it’s normal to cry for no reason." She leaned in and kissed her brother on the cheek, trying to mask the tension in the air.

The three of them returned to the veranda with the dessert. Nona, jokingly, said, "I thought you went to make dessert, not to fetch it!"

Laura smiled and replied, "We stopped for a bit to gossip."

Suddenly, Nick’s phone rang. It was a call from Loren with some news. He pulled out his phone and answered. Everyone on the veranda started speaking quietly to avoid interrupting, but Laura, curious, paid close attention to the conversation.

"Hello," Nick answered.

"I called to let you know that your beautiful niece was born, and she looks just like her father," Loren said.

"My niece was born? I’m so happy! And how is Morgan?" Nick asked, looking directly at Laura.

Hearing this, Laura felt a pang in her chest—a mix of conflicting emotions. Nick continued, "I imagine he’s very happy. He always wanted to be a father. I need to hang up; I’m at lunch with my wife’s family, but thank you for letting me know. I wish you all the best for my niece."

Nick ended the call and returned to talking with everyone at the table. "My niece was born. Morgan is all happy. I wish I could be there, but as everyone knows, we don’t get along."

Laura, trying to hide her distress, started feeling unwell with the news. "I’m going to lie down for a bit. I’m feeling a bit unwell," she said, trying to disguise her emotions.

Nona, concerned, asked, "Do you want to go to the hospital, dear?"

"No, it’s just nausea. I ate too much," Laura replied, trying to appear calm.

Nick, showing concern, offered, "My love, do you want me to keep you company?"

Laura shook her head. "No need, stay here and keep them company. I’ll lie down for a bit and come back later."

Fabian quickly offered to accompany her. "I’ll go with you, friend."

As Laura and Fabian headed inside, Owen and Daniel remained on the veranda, expressing their concern through their looks but not wanting to intrude.

Laura and Fabian reached the bedroom. Fabian adjusted the pillows to create a comfortable space for Laura. She sat down, leaning against the headboard, and began to cry, unable to contain her emotions.

"Don’t be like this, friend, please." Fabian tried to comfort her, sitting beside her.

Laura, with tears streaming down her face, confided, "How can I not? Look at us. He’s there with her, and I’m here pretending to be okay. I know this child isn’t to blame, but if Loren had let him be, none of this would have happened."

Fabian, trying to soothe her, said, "This was bound to happen. During the time you were apart, he gave her a chance, which is normal. Please stay calm. I know this will be resolved soon."

Laura shook her head, skeptical. "I find it hard. He made it clear how regretful he was after hearing what I said. He’ll never believe this child is his."

She continued to cry, feeling trapped in a no-win situation, torn between the love she felt for Morgan and the desire to protect him.