Chapter 28

Two weeks had passed, and I still hadn't laid eyes on the baby. Every morning when I woke, I made sure Clara didn’t tell me anything about it, not even the sex. I knew that if I allowed even the smallest connection, I wouldn’t be able to stay away.

My time here was over. My time in Leonard’s life was over. I had planned to stay a few months to get my body back in shape, but I couldn’t anymore. I was physically fine, and I had to leave, to go back home, to my mother and siblings.

As I packed my bags, tears welled up in my eyes. Leonard’s voice echoed in my mind, but I forced myself to shut it out. He hadn't visited once since that day. Not even to check on me. I shoved the pain deep inside, knowing it would only slow me down.

"Is this really what you want?" Clara asked for what felt like the hundredth time.

"It's what I have to do," I replied, my voice steady despite the ache in my heart.

"But what about what you want?" she pressed, her eyes searching mine, filled with concern.

"It doesn’t matter," I answered, my heart cracking under the weight of my words. It wasn’t about what I wanted anymore.

"Don’t go, Eva. You’ll regret it," she pleaded.

"I might," I admitted softly, "but I’ll get over it." I zipped my suitcase closed, signaling the finality of my decision.

Clara stood in front of me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I’ll miss you," she whispered, throwing her arms around me.

"I’ll miss you too, Clara," I said, hugging her tightly. It was the truth. Clara had been my only real companion through these past few months.

"Take care of the baby... and Leonard," I said as I pulled away, my voice barely audible. Then, without looking back, I walked out the door.

The Uber was already waiting, so I loaded my bags into the trunk and got in. As the car pulled away, silent tears streamed down my face. I kept telling myself I had made the right decision, even though it felt like my heart was being ripped in two.

When we arrived at my house, I took a moment to stare at the building. Home. How I’d missed it.

I barely had time to drag my bags through the door before Sofia and Daniel came running toward me, screaming with excitement.

I leaned down and wrapped my arms around them tightly. "My babies," I whispered, kissing the tops of their heads. "How are you both?"

"Fine! I missed you!" Sofia exclaimed, hugging me even tighter.

"I missed you too. I brought a lot of things for you," I said, handing them each a bag.

"Thank you, Eva!" they chimed in unison before racing off to check out their new gifts.

That’s when I noticed my mom standing in the doorway. She looked so much healthier than when I last saw her.

"Mom," I breathed, rushing to hug her. "I’ve missed you."

"I’ve missed you too, my dear," she said, rubbing my back in that soothing way only mothers can. I closed my eyes, sinking into the comfort of her embrace. I hadn’t realized how much I missed this, being home, being with her, until now.

"How was work?" she asked, her voice casual, but my heart skipped a beat.

I pulled away, guilt gnawing at my insides. "I need to tell you something, Mom."

"I’m sure it can wait, honey. You’ve had a long trip."

"No, Mom," I said, my voice trembling. She gave me that worried look only mothers give when they know something’s wrong.

"Okay, come here," she said, leading me to the couch. We sat down, and I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

"I lied to you, Mom," I started, watching her expression carefully. "I didn’t get a nursing job."

Her face fell, and tears welled up in her eyes. "What did you do, Eva?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"I... became a surrogate," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

She gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. Then she looked down at my stomach, her expression a mix of shock and sadness.

"So that’s why you were gone for nine months," she said, her voice breaking.

I nodded silently, my eyes pleading for her understanding.

"Mom," I whispered, dropping to my knees in front of her. I wrapped my arms around her legs, resting my head in her lap. "I’m so sorry. Please forgive me."

"I warned you not to do anything stupid," she said, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face.

"I had no choice, Mom. I couldn’t let you keep struggling like that. I don’t regret it," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "If I’d told you, you would never have allowed it."

She sighed deeply, her fingers gently stroking my hair. "Oh, my child, This is all my fault. I should have been the one providing for you. I should have been the one taking care of you."

"No, Mom," I said, looking up at her. "You’ve already done enough. It was my turn."

She cupped my cheeks, her eyes filled with love and regret. "I will never forget this sacrifice, my child. But promise me, no more."

"I promise," I whispered.

Four days passed, but nothing felt normal. I couldn’t stop thinking about Leonard or the baby I had given birth to. Sometimes, I’d touch my stomach, expecting to feel the weight of life inside me, only to remember it was gone. I had left, thinking I could move on, but that wasn’t happening.

I tried to distract myself, doing everything from grocery shopping to small chores, even though the doctor had advised me to rest. Nothing worked. My mind kept drifting back to Leonard.

As I was leaving the grocery store one afternoon, I saw someone I had almost managed to forget.

"Kelvin."

He turned around, and I walked up to him, but the guy next to him quickly moved away, giving us space.

"Hi," I said, unsure of what else to say. Seeing him again stirred emotions I thought were long gone.

"I see you finally gave birth," he said coldly.

I swallowed hard, not knowing how to respond.

"I hope you’re not expecting anything from me," he added, his tone indifferent.

My mouth opened, but no words came out.

"Wait, you’re not thinking I’d come back to you, are you?"

His words hit me like a slap in the face. "No," I whispered.

"Good," he said, shrugging. "Did you want something?"

"No," I said again, feeling foolish.

"Well, congrats. Hope you’re happy with your new life." He turned and walked away without another word.

I stood there, my heart stinging from the rejection. But oddly enough, I felt a sense of closure wash over me. I needed that.

When I got home, I sat down with my mom, desperate for some advice.

"Mom, I need to talk to you," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, honey?" She put down her phone and gave me her full attention.

I sighed, unsure of how to begin. "I can’t stop thinking about him."

"The father of the baby?" she asked, her voice gentle. I nodded.

She sighed. "Oh, honey. What about Kelvin?"

"He’s gone, Mom. And now all I can think about is how messed up my life is."

"You’re an adult now, Eva. You know what’s best for you. Be with the person who makes you happy," she said simply.

"But he’s sick, Mom. He’s going to leave me one day," I admitted, my voice breaking. "He doesn’t have much time."

She sighed deeply, her eyes filled with understanding. "All the more reason to be with him now. Eva, carrying a child for nine months isn’t easy. Now you know what that feels like. You weren’t cut out to be a surrogate. You weren’t meant to walk away."

Tears welled up in my eyes as her words sunk in.

"Go be with him, Eva. Don’t end up regretting this. And be the mother to that child. No one else will love it like you can," she said softly.

I blinked away my tears and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Mom. I love you."

"I love you too, honey."

Without wasting any more time, I went straight to Leonard’s house. My heart raced as I knocked on the door, unable to stop myself. Clara opened it, her face lighting up when she saw me.

"Eva!" she exclaimed, hugging me tightly. "I knew you’d come back."

"I shouldn’t have left. I won’t do that again," I said, determined.

But her smile faded, and my heart dropped. "Clara?"

"Leonard is sick, Eva. He’s been sick ever since he saw his baby," she said softly.

All the color drained from my face. I stood there, frozen.

What?