I'm pregnant
Uncle Richard was still in shock. It's been minutes already since he stared at the photos. But he was still too frozen to give any rational reaction.
I waited patiently till he calmed and snapped out of his shock. He looked at me with gravely confused eyes.
His lips were quivering. His hands had become way too sweaty, he had to rub them off on his shirt.
“Leonardo wouldn't betray your father,” he said, with a shaky voice. “He wouldn't because he loves your Father so much. He really wouldn't…”
“Yeah, I thought so too. But the pictures blatantly prove us wrong, don't they?”
He stared at the pictures again. Like he was wishing Leonardo would disappear from them.
“When were these taken?” He asked, casting me a glance.
“Last night…”
“Leonardo was here last night. He was here when Elena returned. There's no way he could…” A brief pause. Then he gasped, wiping his hand over his face.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “What is it?”
“Nothing. I just recalled that he left right after. Without a word to any of us. And I called him several times, but he wouldn't pick up.”
“These photos are exactly why he couldn't pick up your calls.” I pointed out.
In the photos, Leonardo was meeting up with two rogues. Deep in the woods. And they were bargaining for something. He looked seriously panicked. I can only imagine why.
“But these photos don't really prove that he betrayed Vince. I mean, he could be meeting up with the rogues for another reason.” Uncle Richard said, in his desperate attempt to escape the slapping reality in front of him.
“Oh, please, Uncle…” I groaned in frustration. “What other reason would he have to be meeting up with rogues? Leonardo hasn't had the best experience with them. They took almost everything from him when they invaded his Pack years ago. And after that, we heard nothing about him still being in touch with them. And now, just after my Father gets captured, he's meeting up with them, deep in the woods?”
“Again, maybe there's another logical reason behind these meetups. It couldn't be what you are thinking…”
“You know it is. You're just too scared to admit it.”
“Yes, son. I'm fucking scared. I've been in a trio friendship with Vince and Leonardo for decades now. We might all vibe together but those two share a more intense bond than I do with them. They're the chaotic duo. Leonardo would never betray Vince. He has no reason to…”
“That's where you're wrong, Uncle. He has every reason to.”
His poise stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“Before my Father went to rescue Elena, he mentioned that someone had sold you off to the rogues. He always had the suspicion, and it sprouted inside me, too. Days after he left, Leonardo visited me. He wanted to have his share of the business he ventured into with my Father a year ago…”
“The wine business?”
“Yes. He wanted his share and wanted to get 70% of the recent profit. Which we both know is against the contract. When I refused, he flared up and left. We never spoke after that. But I always had my suspicion about him. And I put someone on his tail. Just to be sure.”
“It's…no big deal.” Uncle Richard began, slowly getting on his feet. “Leonardo has a knack for breaching contracts because of his awful financial state. You might not know this but the man still hasn't recovered from the evil the rogues did to him back then. He is still sinking into a lot of debt. He's always needing money. And maybe this was just one of those cases. It doesn't mean he's trying to betray your father.”
Anger surged through my veins. “So he's innocent then? He's been having clandestine meetings with rogues. These photos are all the evidence we need. He met up with rogues days after Elena got kidnapped and then the night she returned. Does that sound like a damn coincidence?! Why can't you just admit that your friend is a damn sellout?!”
“Because that's just as painful as plunging a dagger into my heart. Literally!” Uncle Richard fired back. “Leonardo is our best friend. We trusted him with everything. And now you're telling me we were fooled? How the hell do you easily want me to believe that, son?”
I was momentarily speechless, just staring at him. His veins were popping out. His teeth were gritting hard. And his eyes burned with tears. This was hard on him. I shouldn't be so insensitive.
“I'm…I'm really sorry, Uncle.” I took a deep breath to feel more calm. “I shouldn't have pressured you. I shouldn't have brought up this issue with you, either. I should have known how hard it would be on you.”
Uncle Richard returned to his chair. He facepalmed himself. Then he puffed; a subtle attempt to keep back his tears.
“No, son. You did the right thing. I deserve to know what kinda monster I kept as a friend. It hurts but I can bear the pain. I just can't help but feel a little more sorry for your Father. He spent half his life being there for Leo. It's really unfair that all that just turned into one big waste.”
The air was fucking melancholic and making it hard for me to breathe. But then Tracy walked inside and made it even harder.
“Father, I need to talk to you…” she stopped, finally noticing my presence.
I was shocked to see her. Haven't spoken to her for a while. And I don't know what she did with that pregnancy. Seeing her here was unnerving, especially with that look on her face.
“Father…” she said, taking her gaze off me. “Do you have a minute?”
Uncle Richard was still struggling with what I told him. But he managed to push it down and offered her a cracked smile.
“Sure, dear. Your mother had mentioned that she wanted to talk to me about you. Tell me, what is it?”
My heartbeat was loud and pounding. I wasn't sure why I was so nervous.
“Father…I…” she paused. Every nerve in my body made me aware that she was staring at me again. But I didn't dare look at her. My gaze was tactfully pinned on the floor. My fingers tightened against each other. My toes curled up in my shoes.
“Just say it, dear. What is it?” Uncle Richard urged calmly.
“I’m pregnant.” She blurted out.
My heart chimed to a stop. I was forced to look at her and our eyes met.
What the heck?!