Chapter 17

Five months later

I can't believe it has already been nine months since I arrived in Los Angeles. So many things have happened during this short period.

Today marks the beginning of the last month of my pregnancy, and my emotions are running high. On the one hand, I'm excited and happy because I will soon meet my baby girl. On the other hand, I'm scared, fully aware that nothing will be easy. Johnny has been acting even stranger lately.

After my brothers left, he came to the house that same night. He was drunk, but not completely. He hugged me and mumbled incoherent things like, "I don't want to leave," "It's out of my hands," "I'm sorry," and "Forgive me." Those were the few things I could understand.

He seemed sad; it was evident in his voice. But I didn't want to intervene, afraid that he would yell at me or get angry. Honestly, I didn't understand any of his words. In the end, he kissed me on the forehead and left the house. Since then, he comes every day. I once asked him why he does it when he used to come only twice a week, and his response was, "Now that your pregnancy is further along, I have to be with you all the time." That was it. I didn't ask any further, and he didn't add anything either.

"Ma'am, Mr. Lazaro just arrived. He's waiting for you in the foyer," Merci informs me at the door of my room.

"I'll be right down, Merci. Thank you," I reply with a smile. She nods and leaves.

I get up from the couch where I was sitting, struggling a bit due to my huge belly that seems like it's about to burst at any moment. I grab my purse and make my way to the foyer.

"You look beautiful, darling," Lazaro smiles when he sees me.

We're going together to a party at his apartment, more like a small celebration among friends, to celebrate Lazaro's younger brother who just graduated as a lawyer with honors.

"You look handsome too, Lazaro," I murmured playfully, and he laughs.

"Not as much as you. That dress makes your belly look sexy," he says, smiling, and I laugh even more as we walk towards his car and get in, heading to his apartment.

When we arrive, there's a group of friends of the guys already there. I know most of them; they're close friends of Lazaro and Manuelle, Lazaro's brother, whom I met through them. I greet everyone and sit at a table with Lazaro, Manuelle, and others.

About four hours have passed, and my stomach hurts, perhaps due to tiredness. I want to leave, but I don't want to tell Lazaro to take me home. He's so happy with his brother. So, I say my goodbyes, grab my things and head down to the lobby of the building. I ask the guard to call a taxi, and he does. I sit on the benches next to the door, waiting for the taxi. I check the time on the wall clock: 2:57 am. I sigh and continue looking straight ahead. My phone rings, and I rummage through my purse, but it's not mine; it's the one Johnny gave me.

"Hello, Johnny," I speak with no enthusiasm, answering the call. The pain in my lower abdomen is increasing.

"Where are you, Laura? Why aren't you at home?" he speaks angrily. God! How the hell did he know I wasn't home?

"I came to a celebration at a friend's house, but I'm leaving now," I reply because I don't have the energy to argue.

"Damn it, Laura, you're pregnant, don't you understand? Where are you? I'll come to get you," he sends me the location, and I hang up.

Minutes later, the Uber arrives. I apologize to the driver and dismiss him. He leaves angrily, and I understand why. It must not be pleasant to work in the early morning and have your time wasted.

Johnny arrives after the Uber driver leaves. I see him stepping out of the car and walking towards me. He's wearing a suit, as usual, but instead of a tie, he has a bowtie around his neck. He's coming from a gala or an elegant party.

"You're so reckless. How can you be out on the street at this hour of the night? Do you know you're putting the baby at risk?" he scolds me during the entire ride. I simply nod. The pain in my stomach is now stronger, and it's starting to scare me.

"That's enough, Johnny! I get it! Okay?" I raise my voice, trying not to let my pain show in my words.

"You're putting my daughter's life at risk. Do you understand? I can't just stand by and wait for something bad to happen," he says, parking the car in front of the house. I get out angrily and slam the door. He does the same and stands in my way.

"Don't pretend to care now, Johnny. I know you're only doing this out of obligation and to ease your guilty conscience. That's how it's always been, and you don't have to pretend anymore." It's my anger speaking for me, but in the end, that's the truth.

It's what he said months ago, and it's what he has shown. And yes, at this time, I may have developed some affection for my daughter, but that doesn't change the fact that she's just a mistake to him.

I see a flicker of emotion in his eyes, letting me know that I hit a nerve, followed by a face of immense anger. He nods once with a clenched jaw and a red face. He makes his way and strides quickly to his car. When he opens the door, I feel a warm liquid running down my legs.

My water has broken.

My heart rate accelerates to a thousand percent, and I look at Johnny, who is getting into the car.

"J-Johnny! Johnny!" Fear is evident in my voice from miles away. He quickly turns around, and his gaze scans my face, which surely must be pale.

I lower my eyes to my legs, and he does the same.

"Johnny," I whisper, tears welling up in my eyes, streaming down my cheeks.

When he realizes what's happening, he hurries to me.

"Calm down, Laura. Calm down," he tries to console me, even more, agitated than I am, unsure of what to do at first but reacting afterward. He helps me to the passenger seat again.

I'm incapable of uttering a word, consumed by nerves that only allow me to babble incoherently. I whisper his name with fear, squeezing my eyes shut due to the pain that engulfs every inch of my body.

"Stay calm, baby. It won't last much longer. We're going to the clinic," I hear him say as he drives.

Only then am I able to open my mind and contemplate from every angle what is about to happen:

I'm finally going to meet my daughter.