Chapter 11

Lila wandered aimlessly down the street, not really knowing where to go. Aside from Ava’s place, she realized—she had no one, nowhere she could turn to. The White house… would her mom even let her in? The wind bit through her coat, cold and piercing. She might be able to take it on her own, but for the baby inside her… this was way too harsh. So she turned back. Her feet were killing her—blisters swollen, skin already broken—but still, she forced herself forward. Taking a shaky deep breath, she knocked on the gate. The second her mom saw her, she shut the door right in her face, dead cold. “Mom! Please, listen to me! I know I messed up! I’m pregnant now—I can’t afford to let anything happen!” Her desperate cry made her mom pause. Slowly, the door creaked open. “You’re pregnant?” her mom asked, expression dark with something unreadable. “Yeah…” There was a moment of hesitation, then—her mom let her in. “Don’t think I’ve forgiven you or anything,” her mom said sharply. “I’m only doing this for the kid. Listen up, Lila. Think about your dad. Really think—do you honestly believe you haven’t let this whole family down?” Her words were like knives, and Lila’s face went pale. She started trembling all over. Later that night, lying stiff in bed, she stared up at the ceiling, remembering the old days—the laughter in this house, her parents’ smiles. No matter what hair-brained thing she tried, her dad was always the first to back her up… But now? That warm, happy home was long gone. All that was left was cold. And it was all because of her. Wrapped in her blanket, Lila cried into the pillow in silence, shoulders shaking under the covers. Meanwhile, that bone-chilling quiet of the White household was broken by an unexpected visitor. “What happened to you? Your eyes are all red,” Mrs. White asked, expression switching to concern in an instant. Ava let out a frustrated breath, pulling at her cheek. “I’m fine. Why’d you want me to come?” “You won’t believe it, but that little brat Lila’s pregnant!” Ava scoffed bitterly. “Yeah, I know. Don’t worry—Ethan’s not dumb enough to think the baby’s his.” “Whether he believes it or not is irrelevant. If she keeps that baby, she’s got leverage. Imagine if she does a DNA test and it’s actually his—they’ll welcome her back into the Mitchells with open arms!” Ava didn’t reply. She knew Mrs. White was right. This could get messy. They exchanged a glance—this baby couldn’t stay. The next morning, Lila woke up with the sunlight peeking in. First thing she did was put her hand on her stomach. Thank god… still there. She’d had a nightmare—one where the baby was gone—and she’d woken up drenched in cold sweat. That baby was her last hope. No matter what, even if she couldn’t give it a perfect life, she’d make damn sure it came into this world safe and sound. As she sat lost in thought, a knock came at the door. It was her mom. “Drink this,” she said, holding out a bowl of dark liquid. “I went out and bought the ingredients myself. Like it or not, that baby’s the White family’s last chance. Even if you die, the kid better live.” Lila froze, staring at her mother’s face. For the first time in forever, a strange warmth rushed through her heart. Growing up, her mom never showed her any affection—stone-faced, distant. There’d been times when Lila wondered if she was adopted, but her dad always shut that down, firm and fast. Eventually she just decided—guess I’m just not lovable enough. But now… here she was, her blood family still taking her in when she had nowhere left. Her throat tightened. “Thanks, Mom,” she said in a raspy voice. Her mom didn’t meet her eyes. Still staring at the bowl, she gave a small nod. “Drink up.”