Chosen to Carry

aya heard the knock at her door

ed it to

r comfort, lips too red for casual.

. Behind him, his mother, Victoria Cal

n them, confused.

g to say," Victor

triumphant. "I'm fo

bli

ed. "That's n

sweet smile. "You said you weren't

ago. And before that, we hadn't touched each other in we

s not argue. The only way to handle th

en nodded. "Fine. Let

, stepping aside to reveal a quiet, nervous-lo

he didn't like the energy

ould you mind if we use your liv

silently, st

-

h, rubbing her perfectly flat stomach as the doctor

, heart racing. She didn't trust Ivy. Not

his samples, Ivy lingered near the win

, finally.

even turn

And now you're

ng up," Ivy replied smoothly. "Ma

narrowed. "Y

ed. "Then let th

-

That Ni

ead back when Ivy cornered hi

erfume thick in the

e result says Spencer isn't the father, it could break

glasses. "That's not m

"What if I made i

tiff

ou'd never have to work

ed, unco

her fingers along the edge of his coat

g. "I'm a medical professional. If you app

cold. "Then I hope you know wha

r and drove off wi

light, the evening breeze whip

how - but she

tighter, like the walls had absorbed her perfume and pride. Maya sa

arms folded. He hadn't said m

d near the doorway, watching

aya said quietly

my mother thinks peace is more

not about peace. It's about ce

r snapped, more sh

it is? Spencer, if there's eve

do*

feet. "Excuse me.

the breeze cool her face. The garden was overgrown,

steps. She expected Spence

enemy," Victor

this," Maya said. "I'm jus

arefully. "But you've

d to her,

ia said. "And how you soften when h

ing for love,

imes love find

-

n counter, making tea when her phone b

doctor friend who visited t

and f

message

y fair. And she a

the screen,

eply, another knoc

Ivy.

or only halfway. "

. Woman

ink that's

You've already seen my worst side.

ed, then ope

she owned the place. "Cute. Still ol

d things,"

s? Dead parents?

eyes na

nst the wall. "

ne of your

ecause I do. Still. I just... f

?" Maya ask

Spencer couldn't handle

't handle how

special just because you're carrying someth

ed forward

ut a baby? It's about legacy. And I wil

lie about

nd, Ivy's confid

urned and

ed, heart hammering. She wasn'

lize something: this wasn't

about s

-