Chapter 6

Life Taking Root

As the nausea hit me again, I stood in front of a small bathroom mirror. My hands gripped the edge of the sink, knuckles white, as I waited for the wave of sickness to pass. The pale, drawn face staring back at me in the reflection was almost unrecognizable. My once bright eyes were now shadowed with fatigue, my complexion dull and lifeless. I barely recognized myself anymore.

I closed my eyes, taking a slow, deep breath, and waited for the dizziness to subside. It was getting worse, day by day. The mornings were the hardest, with the sickness coming in relentless waves, reminding me of the life that was growing inside me. A life I hadn’t planned for. A life that I hadn’t even dared to think about.

I pressed a hand to my stomach, feeling the slight curve that was starting to form beneath my fingers. It wasn’t much yet, just a small swell, but it was there. It was real. And no matter how much I tried to avoid thinking about it, this baby was happening.

I had been careful at first, so careful. Running had been my priority, disappearing into the background, making sure Matteo would never find me. But somewhere along the way, I had let my guard down. Somewhere along the way, life had decided to take a root in my body, and now, there is no hiding from it.

I pushed away from the sink, straightening up and trying to gather myself. The small bathroom felt claustrophobic, like the walls were closing in on me, and I needed air. I needed space to think. To breathe. To figure out what the hell I was going to do.

Stepping out into the air, I wrapped my arms around myself, the cool breeze helping to clear my head. The little town where I’d been hiding for the past few months had become something of a safe haven.

No one knew me here. No one asked questions. I could just exist, quietly, blending into the background. But now, with the baby growing inside me, that illusion of safety was starting to unravel.

How long could I stay hidden? How long before my belly gave me away, before people started asking questions I couldn’t answer?

The thought made my stomach twist with anxiety. I couldn’t afford to let anyone know, especially not Matteo. If he found out… if he even had the slightest inkling that I was carrying his child, he would tear apart the world to find me. And once he did, there would be no running. Not anymore.

I couldn’t let that happen.

The next few days blurred together in a haze of sickness and fatigue. Every morning was the same, a battle with nausea, followed by hours of trying to function like a normal person. But my body wasn’t cooperating.

It was like my body had decided that growing this baby was the only thing it was willing to focus on, and everything else had fallen by the wayside.

I tried to stay busy, to keep my mind occupied so I wouldn’t spiral into the panic that seemed to be constantly lurking just beneath the surface. But it was getting harder and harder to ignore the reality of my situation.

The small bed and breakfast I was staying at had been a godsend, giving me a place to lay low and avoid too much human interaction. Olivia, the owner, was kind enough, but she didn’t pry.

She had her own life to worry about, and I was grateful for that. But even she had started to notice the changes in me. The way I ate less, moved slower, the pale color that had taken over my skin.

“You sure you’re feeling alright, hon?” Olivia asked one morning as I sat at the small table in the corner of the dining room, pushing around a piece of toast that I couldn’t bring myself to eat.

“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing a smile. “Just a little tired.”

She didn’t push, thankfully, but her eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than usual before she turned and went back to her work. I let out a quiet sigh of relief, grateful that the conversation hadn’t gone any further. But I knew it was only a matter of time before people started putting two and two together.

I needed a plan. I needed to figure out my next move before this pregnancy became too obvious to hide. But every time I tried to think about it, my mind hit a wall. The idea of going back to the city, back to the chaos of my old life, filled me with a sense of dread so overwhelming that it was hard to breathe.

Matteo was still out there. Looking for me. I could feel it, even from miles away. His determination, his anger, it's like a dark cloud hanging over me, always present, always looming. I had run from him, but he was the kind of man who didn’t give up easily. And I knew, deep down, that it was only a matter of time before he finds me.

And when he did… what would he do?

I wrapped my arms around my stomach protectively, the fear settling deep in my bones. Matteo wasn’t a man who liked to be deceived. He wasn’t the type to forgive betrayal. And I had done more than just betray him, I had taken something from him. Something he would never have given up willingly.

This baby.

As the weeks passed, the small curve of my belly became more noticeable, and with it came a new sense of urgency. I needed to make a decision. I couldn’t stay here much longer. The small town had been safe, but it was too close to the city. Too close to Matteo. If he ever caught wind of where I leave, he would come for me. And I couldn’t risk that. Not now.

I spent hours poring over maps, looking for places far enough away, places where I could start over again. Places where Matteo’s influence wouldn’t reach. But no matter how far I looked, the fear of him finding me never fully went away.

The nights were the worst. Lying in bed, my hand resting on my growing belly, the silence would stretch on, and my mind would race. What kind of life could I give this child? Could I raise them on my own, always looking over my shoulder, always running? And if Matteo ever finds us, what kind of father would he be?

The thought of Matteo holding our child sent a shiver down my spine. As much as I had once loved him, I know now that there is a darkness in him, a possessiveness that scared me. And I couldn’t let that touch our baby.

I wouldn’t let it.

As the days grew colder and the first flakes of winter began to fall, I knew it was time. Time to leave. Time to run again.

Because Matteo would never stop searching, and the life growing inside me was a secret that wouldn’t stay hidden for much longer.