Chapter 31 Chapter 31
Savannah woke up with heavy eyes. The room felt different that morning. She sat up slowly, holding her belly. The baby moved faintly, reminding her she was no longer alone. She touched her stomach gently and sighed.
“I cannot keep working like this,” she whispered. Her hands trembled. She thought of the fainting, the weakness, the stress of carrying baskets in the hot laundry room. She thought of Adrian’s words too — “you should not be alone in this.”
Her heart told her she must stop before it harmed the baby. But her mind feared what Rosa would think. Work had given her a roof, money, and a small sense of hope. Still, she could not risk her child.
She got dressed slowly and tied her hair back. Her legs were weak, but she forced herself to walk to the laundry shop.
The machines were already humming when she arrived. The smell of soap and steam filled the air. Marco was whistling as he folded sheets. Rosa was standing near the counter, giving instructions.
When Rosa saw Savannah walk in, her sharp eyes softened a little. “You are late,” she said, but her tone was not harsh.
Savannah lowered her eyes. “Rosa… can I talk to you?”
Rosa wiped her hands on her apron and nodded toward the small back room. “Come.”
Inside, the room was quiet. A cracked mirror leaned against the wall, and a pile of folded uniforms sat on a chair. Savannah stood there, holding her bag close.
“What is it?” Rosa asked.
Savannah swallowed hard. Her voice came low. “I can’t keep working here. My body… it is not strong enough. I’m carrying a child.”
Rosa blinked, surprised. She crossed her arms. “Pregnant?”
Savannah nodded slowly, tears stinging her eyes. “Yes. I fainted before… and I don’t want to risk again. I need to rest, for the baby.”
For a moment Rosa said nothing. Her face was unreadable. Savannah’s chest tightened. She thought Rosa would shout, call her useless, tell her to leave without pay.
But Rosa only sighed. “You should have told me earlier.” Her voice was firm but not cruel. “This job is hard. The heat, the lifting, the long hours… it is no place for a woman carrying a child.”
Savannah’s lips trembled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”
Rosa shook her head. “You worked hard. You did not sit idle like some others. I will not forget that.” She turned, opened a small drawer, and pulled out an envelope. She pressed it into Savannah’s hands.
Savannah looked down. “What is this?”
“Your pay. And extra. Consider it my way of saying take care of yourself,” Rosa said briskly. She did not like to show softness, but her eyes carried it.
Tears slid down Savannah’s cheeks. She clutched the envelope. “Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you.”
“By staying alive and keeping that baby safe,” Rosa said. “That is enough.”
Savannah’s shoulders shook. She wanted to hug Rosa, but she only bowed her head deeply.
When she stepped out of the back room, Marco asked, “You leaving?” His voice was full of surprise.
Savannah forced a small smile. “Yes. I have to.”
Marco scratched his head and muttered, “Take care of yourself, girl.”
The other workers watched her silently. Some with pity, some with indifference. Savannah ignored their eyes. She walked to the door with slow steps, the sound of the machines fading behind her.
Outside, the sun hit her face. She breathed in the city air. For the first time, she was free of the laundry shop. No more heat, no more fainting, no more bending until her back ached. But freedom also felt scary. She had no job now. No daily pay.
She walked a little, holding her belly. “We will be fine, baby,” she whispered. “We have to be.”
As she turned the corner, a black car stopped near her. The window rolled down. Adrian’s face appeared. His eyes locked on hers immediately.
Savannah froze, her heart racing.
“Savannah,” Adrian said, his voice calm but firm. “Get in. I will take you home.”
She hesitated, clutching her bag. “I just came from work…”
Adrian’s brows pulled together. “Work? You should not be working in your condition.” His tone was sharper now.
Savannah lowered her eyes. “I already told Rosa. I quit. Today was my last day.”
Adrian’s jaw relaxed a little, but his eyes still searched her face. “Good. You should not risk the baby.”
He opened the car door and nodded. “Come. I will take you.”
Savannah stepped inside slowly, her heart heavy with mixed feelings. As the car moved, she looked out at the streets passing by. Her life was changing fast, and she could not control it.
But one thing was clear — Adrian was becoming a part of it, whether she was ready or not.
She pressed her hand to her belly, and the baby kicked gently, as if agreeing.