Chapter 5

"It's a long story."She sniffed, a tear slipped down her cheek.

He reached out without hesitation, brushing it with the back of his thumb.

"I've got time, talk to me." He said gently.

"I'm pregnant for him but he is still head over heels in love with my sister. I thought he chose me, but I was just a convenience."She started, her voice hollow.

George took his hand in his. He didn't interrupt her, not once, as she told him everything. From the moment she found out she was pregnant to when he saw her in the rain.

His jaw clenched, she'd saved his life once. And now hers was in ruins.

"Can I say something?"

She nodded slowly.

"Your world might've betrayed you but I'm here for you, for that baby always."His words were steady like an oath carved into stone, raw and tears burst from her eyes as she threw herself into his chest, he caught her holding her so tight to himself.

"It hurts,he didn't have to do this,if he still loved my sister." she sobbed.

George embraced her, comforting her gently.

"Sssshhhh," George whispered into her hair. "Don't cry, he's not worth it."

She cried harder, clinging onto him. He didn't pull away, he held her all through it.

After five minutes, she finally pulled back, her eyes red, her lips trembled.

A heavy silence settled between them, the tension crackling like a live wire—volatile, suffocating and impossible to ignore.

"Thalia...I know your baby is not my blood but then I'd like to be the father," He offered slowly, steadily.

"I want to be there, for you, and for the baby. Thalia,if you'll let me." His words didn't plead, it offered protection and stability.

Thalia looked up,her eyes swimming with unshed tears.

"You'd do that for me?"

"You once gave up your friendship to save me. Let me save you too."

Thalia looked up at him, her eyes swimming with unshed tears.

She searched his gaze for any sign of pity, but there was none. Just resolve, and something deeper, something she never wanted to feel again.

"Why would you..."Her voice broke. " Why would you do that for me?"

George tucked a strand of hair behind her right ear.

"Because I owe you more than I could ever repay. You fought for me when no one else did. You believed me even when it cost you everything. Thalia you eased my pain, let me ease your pain too."His voice steady, as though each word were carved from his soul.

She blinked, her heart pounding loudly on her chest. She never expected this from him or anybody.

"I don't want you to do this because you feel indebted," she said,her voice trembling.

"I'm not." He uttered firmly. "I'm doing this because you deserve to be protected, you deserve to be cherished not discarded like nothing."

Thalia looked away, her chest tightened. The sincerity of his words made her heart ache.

"But we barely know each other."She protested weakly.

"You don't have to say anything for now. Just think about it."He said, rising slowly from the bed. "I'll give you some space, but you can always tell me if you need anything."

He turned ready to give her space to breathe. But she held his hand.

"George,"She called, her voice low. And he turned to face her, his eyes questioning her.

"Don't go, just stay..."

And he did, he sat beside her without saying a word. She leaned to him, her head against his chest.

She might not heal from Franklin's betrayal but she's not alone.

"I'm here for you Thalia."He said as if listening to her thoughts.

Then a phone buzzed in George's pocket, he moved away slightly.

"Your phone." He gave it to her.

She didn't move, just took the phone from him, it was a message from an unknown number.

One tap and the message opened. It was an image.

It loaded in seconds but the devastation hit her in milliseconds.

She froze.

Her body went rigid against his body. Half breath caught—half gasp, half sob—as she stared at the screen like it had slapped her.

On the screen was Franklin in a tuxedo and Yulia dressed in a peach lace wedding gown.

George noticed the shift instantly.

"Thalia?"

She didn't answer him, but her lips parted. She stared at the screen, her eyes widening with disbelief.

It's not even twenty -four hours and he already married her sister.

"What's wrong?" George looked at her, alarmed by her reaction.

She turned the phone towards him with shaky hands.

His eyes moved from the photo to the caption underneath it.

"You were just a rehearsal and I was the real bride"

George blinked, stunned. "What the hell!"

"He married her." She whispered, her voice barely audible.

She dropped the phone like it was burning, her hands gripped the edge of the bed. She felt as though her world was tilting and she needed to hold on.

"Thalia." George called, trying to steady her.

"He married her, George!" She said louder this time holding the hem of his shirt. "My husband just married my sister!"

As if that wasn't enough, Franklin rang her. But George picked up the phone and swiped the green button.

"She won't speak to you!"George growled.

"And who the hell are you?"Franklin yelled from the phone.

"Her new life!"without thinking, George retorted.