He Lost Out

"Wake up, Gina. You need to get out of bed today."

Tess's voice is soft, but it doesn't leave any room for argument.

I groan and pull the covers over my face, already bracing myself for the sharp sting of daylight. A second later, she yanks the curtains open, and sunlight pours into the room, unforgiving and bright.

"Yeah... that's not really on my agenda," I mumble, my voice muffled by the blanket.

But she's not backing down. She rips the covers off me, exposing the shell I've become.

"I got a job in a new city," she says, calm but firm. "I'm leaving today."

That pulls me upright.

"You're leaving me too?"

Tess looks at me like I've just asked if the sky is still blue.

"No. I'm taking you with me. You don't have any family left, Gina. Marcus was all you had. And now he's gone."

I swallow hard. The words land like stones in my chest.

"I'm not letting my best friend raise a baby alone," she adds. "It's settled. I already packed your bags and loaded them into the car. We're heading to the airport."

I don't speak. I can't.

Before I can piece a single thought together, she's pulling me out of bed and guiding me toward the bathroom. The scent of lavender hits me first. She's drawn a bath.

My throat tightens.

Since Marcus... since that day... Tess has been everything. She's held me through the worst of it, let me scream and sob and break apart without once turning away. She's been my lifeline.

The weight of her love is too much sometimes. It crushes and holds me all at once.

"Don't get emotional on me now," she teases gently, trying to lighten the moment. "Good thing you don't have a job anymore. Would've been awkward explaining why you suddenly stopped showing up."

I manage a weak smile. She's trying. And she's right.

I start to undress slowly, my limbs heavy from another night without rest.

Crying until the sun rises has become routine.

Tess closes the door behind her. I lower myself into the water, wincing at the heat, then letting it hold me.

But my mind won't let me rest.

I close my eyes. And just like that, I'm back there again.

Jessica.

Marcus.

That kiss.

The image of them is carved into the back of my eyelids.

Jessica, who had always kept her boyfriend a secret. Who told us he was private, that we'd meet him when the time was right.

The time came one Saturday. She called, bubbling over with excitement, inviting us to high tea at the Old House.

An old building from the 1600s turned into a grand plaza with boutiques and restaurants. But the real prize was the wedding hall.

Marcus and I used to talk about getting married there.

Tess and I arrived that day, laughing about something stupid, dressed in our best.

And then we saw him.

Marcus.

At the altar.

Kissing her.

Jessica.

Jessica had invited me to her wedding. To her husband.

My boyfriend.

My future.

I froze.

It was Tess who grabbed my hand, Tess who pulled me out.

Marcus called after me. I remember hearing my name. I remember not turning around.

We didn't stop walking. I didn't speak. I didn't cry. I just followed her until we were in her car, speeding away.

I looked out the window once, just once.

Jessica was standing there. Grinning.

She looked proud.

Tess's gentle knock on the door brings me back.

It happens a lot now. The zoning out.

I rinse off and dry myself slowly, then get dressed in whatever Tess has laid out. I don't care anymore. I just follow instructions.

She's waiting at the door, her suitcase already by her side.

"Let's go," she says. "We need to stop by the doctor's office, finalize a few things, and then we're off. I really think this change will be good for both of us."

I nod. Not because I believe her. But because she needs me to.

It's probably for the best.

To leave.

To disappear.

To change my number and never hear his voice again.

I haven't replaced my phone since the day I shattered it against the wall. He kept calling. He begged. He cried. I let the silence answer him.

I am angry.

I am tired in a way sleep can't fix.

I don't remember the last time I felt like myself.

The days blur now. Night blends into morning.

Time is just something I survive.

At the doctor's office, I collect my prenatal vitamins and the thin folder with my name on it.

We leave without saying much.

It's time.

To try again.

To rebuild from ash.

For the sake of the baby growing inside me.