**ARLO**
“Valerie, say what you need to say. I’ve already told you that we can’t continue whatever is between the two of us,” I told Valerie as we sat in a coffee shop.
I hadn’t planned on meeting her here, but she insisted that what she had to say was important. Besides, I didn’t want to find out that I met with Valerie because I had promised her I wouldn’t.
“Why, Arlo? Why were you so quick to forgive that woman for everything she did to you?”
“Because I love her, Valerie. She’s my life. Even if the world falls apart, she will always be the one in my heart,” I replied.
“But me, Arlo—I was the one by your side during your hardest moments. I was the one you leaned on when you needed someone. I gave you everything, even my time. And now you’re just going to leave me and go back to the woman who destroyed your life? I love you so much, Arlo.” Valerie cried in front of me, holding my hand and begging me not to leave her.
“You know the truth, Valerie. You’re my friend. I never courted you or loved you the way I love Lily. You took advantage of me when I had retrograde amnesia. You told me that you were my girlfriend and that you were my fiancée. You lied to me, Valerie. I know the truth now. So let me repeat this: leave me alone. Instead of helping me recover my memories, you trapped me in your lies,” I said angrily as I stood up.
“I’m pregnant, Arlo. You’re the father of the child I’m carrying. You can’t leave me; you have to take responsibility for our baby. If you don’t, you’ll never see me or your child again. My pregnancy is sensitive, and if anything bad happens to me or the baby, it will be your fault. Arlo, think about this carefully. I won’t force you, but you need to decide. It’s me, Valerie, or Lily, who has lied to you multiple times,” Valerie said, leaving me stunned.
“You want marriage, Valerie? That will never happen. I won’t turn my back on my responsibility, but marriage is out of the question. That’s madness!” I said firmly.
People around us turned to look because I had raised my voice. I left, walking away from Valerie without a word. I didn’t care about the people around me because my mind was in turmoil. I was scared. What if Lily found out that Valerie was pregnant? What if she left me?
“Arlo, help me!” Valerie called out.
I turned around and saw her struggling, holding her stomach. I took big strides toward her, quickly picking her up and carrying her to the hospital.
When we arrived at the hospital, two nurses immediately took Valerie into a room, and I wasn’t allowed to enter. Fear gripped me at the thought that something might happen to the child she was carrying—my child.
I sat down and took out my phone. I didn’t know who to call, but I eventually dialed Lily’s number. When she answered, her calm voice came through, but my tongue felt tied.
I lied to her, saying I was with two friends. I couldn’t tell her the truth—that I wasn’t at the office and was at the hospital with Valerie. Our conversation didn’t last long. I stood up and massaged my temples.
I saw the doctor come out, and I immediately approached her. She looked at me, and she smiled.
“How is she, Doctor? How’s the baby?” I asked anxiously.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Bonde. She’s fine, and so is the baby. She just needs to avoid stress, especially for the baby’s sake,” the doctor said, recognizing me.
I felt relieved by what she said.
“Thank you, Doctor,” I said, expressing my gratitude.
“She needs rest, and stress must be avoided for the baby. It would be better if she rests at home. My secretary will provide the prescription for the medications she needs to maintain,” the doctor added before turning away.
An hour later, we were at Valerie’s house. Her mother met us at the door and looked at us. She smiled at me as if pleased to see her daughter and me together again.
“Have you two made up, my child?” Valerie’s mother asked me.
“I just brought Valerie home, Aunt,” I replied. Her expression immediately changed, her smile disappearing. I turned my back on them as they stood there.
“Arlo, don’t leave me. I need you by my side. We need you—me and the baby I’m carrying,” Valerie said.
“Valerie, you need to rest and take care of yourself. You heard what the doctor advised,” I replied, then walked away.
“What baby? Are you pregnant, child?” I heard her mother ask. When Valerie called out my name again, I didn’t look back. I got into my car, started the engine, and drove away. I didn’t know what to do or how to tell Lily that Valerie was pregnant.
