When we got back home, I was met with a surprise. My sister was standing on my doorstep with a suitcase and her phone pressed to her ear.
"Where the hell have you been?"
She tossed the phone into her bag and turned slightly to the side. What I saw wasn't the belly of a woman who had gotten pregnant—no, this baby had been growing for months.
Aaron was right behind me, probably just as shocked to see her standing there without warning. He gently placed a hand on the small of my back, grounding me. I took a breath, pulling myself together.
"What do you think you're doing here? You show up uninvited and expect me to welcome you in?"
She scoffed and stepped down from the porch. "Don't act so high and mighty just because your boyfriend's nearby. And besides, I'm pregnant. The least you could do is let me sit down."
Aaron looked at me, waiting for my cue to respond, but I was still too stunned to speak.
"That doesn't look like the belly of a woman who just got pregnant," he said calmly.
Lydia's head whipped around, her expression sharp. I couldn't help but smile—he'd said exactly what I was thinking.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Aaron replied. "And don't act so righteous. Aren't the one here to beg for forgiveness? Or was that all for show?"
She was speechless. So was I.
Aaron caught my eye and winked, his way of telling me he had my back.
I unlocked the apartment door and held it open for her. The stale box of pizza from before our Dubai trip still sat on the counter, and I could already hear Lydia's snark forming in her throat.
"Wow. Haven't seen you this messy in a while, little sister."
Aaron slid out a chair and sat down, loosening his tie. "That's my fault. I stole her away for a week in Dubai with my family for Thanksgiving."
She looked between us, trying to process whatever it was she thought she was seeing.
"And who are you?"
"I'm Alaina's boyfriend, Aaron Simmons. We spoke when you called her at the office." Her eyes roamed the room, rolling once more as they landed on him.
"You're the jackass who hung up on me."
Aaron smirked and stood, giving me the chair. "Look, Lydia, let's not start measuring dicks here. Cut the bullshit. You came here for a reason, otherwise you wouldn't have shown up uninvited—and you she doesn't want to see you right now."
Lydia walked over and bent down in my face like I was a child. "Stop letting your boyfriend talk for you and say something."
I slapped her. Hard.
I stood, my face burning and my palm stinging. "How dare you show up here after fucking the man who raped and beat me for years? You're a disgusting human being for keeping that baby."
She held her cheek, and for the first time, I saw real tears in her eyes. But it only made me shake harder. Seeing her there, pregnant with my abusers child, made my stomach churn.
"You're so fucking dramatic, Laina. How do I know you aren't making that shit up?"
She turned to Aaron. "And you—how do you know she's not lying?"
Aaron looked at me, then at her. "Because I believe every word that comes out of her mouth. She doesn't talk about her past——so the fact that she has to now? You should respect that more than I do."
Lydia sank into the couch, rubbing her cheek. Then—another knock at the door.
She went pale.
"What did you do, Lydia?"
Aaron opened the door and was met by my father, a bag in hand. My stomach turned as he stepped inside, arms open like he expected a hug.
I didn't think. I went to the kitchen drawer, pulled out the handgun I'd bought after Josh broke in, and aimed it at his chest. He lowered his arms, still smiling.
Aaron stepped in front of him and slowly walked toward me, hands out, gently prying the gun from mine.
"This isn't going to solve anything," he said softly. "And you know it."
He set the gun on the counter and took my hands in his, steadying me.
Then my father stepped forward hugging me, burying his face in my hair.
I vomited.
Right on his shoulder. I shoved him away, retching again all over his shirt.
For a moment, anger flickered across his face—but it disappeared quickly.
"I think you guys should leave," Aaron said firmly, sitting me down and handing my father paper towels. "Now."
"I came to see my daughter. I want to talk to her."
Aaron looked down at my clenched fists, my nails digging into my palms. He nodded, putting the pieces together.
"I know who you are," he said, voice cold. "And trust me, she doesn't want to see you. She pulled that gun out for a reason and If I hadn't stepped in, you'd be dead right now."
My father stared at him, then finally turned to go.
"I'll come back when you're feeling better, so we can talk," he said over his shoulder.
Lydia kissed him on the cheek before he left.
"Go with him," Aaron said, holding the door open.
"I—"
"Go. That's not a request."
I Lydia grabbed her bags, gave me one last look, and walked out.
Aaron cleaned up the mess while I took a scalding shower that ended with me curled in a ball on the floor.
Later, I told him everything. Every horrifying detail of my past. He sat with me, silent, never interrupting. Just listening.
I didn't realize how broken I really was until today. Until I saw my father. Until I that fear again.
And it scared the hell out of me.