No Going Back

Coming out of the room, the party pulsed with laughter and clinking of glasses, but my mind was very far from the festivities. My hands kept trembling continuously and as guests started leaving, I found my way to the balcony. I gripped the railing, staring down at the people below. And then I could suddenly feel someone's presence behind me and I already knew who it was before he even spoke.

“We can’t keep this a secret forever, Jess.”(Oh, not again)

I turned sharply. Don stood in the shadows, his expression was tight with frustration.

“Not here, Don. We have talked about this” I hissed, glancing back to the people below, to the house and back at him. His expression was clear of any emotions. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

“We need to talk. Now.” He continued. His voice was low but firm.

I exhaled sharply and nodded, knowing I had to have the same talk all over again. He led me away from the balcony, toward one of the empty rooms. My heart kept pounding in my chest. I had spent the entire evening trying to avoid this conversation, but Don just wasn’t letting it go.

As soon as the door closed, he turned to me. “Jess, I can’t keep lying to Ray. I see him every day, and it’s killing me.”

I pressed my hands to my temples. “I know, Don. You think it’s easy for me? I yelled at first before toning down my voice. I didn't mean to yell. "I feel like I’m suffocating too, you know” I added calmly.

“Then let’s tell him" He said, his voice was rising too. “Before someone else figures it out. I think your mom already suspects that something’s off. She's been watching you. And Ray.....he’s.....he's not stupid. He'll soon figure it out,”

I flinched at that. The thought of Ray finding out made my stomach twist. “I just need more time please,” I pleaded with him.

Don let out a bitter laugh. “Time for what? Until your belly starts showing? Until someone forces the truth out of you?”

Tears burned my eyes. “Don, please.”

The room fell into tense silence. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “I just......I can’t do this anymore Jess. I can't”

A sound outside the door made me freeze. A soft shuffle of footsteps.

Don heard it too. His eyes widened, and we both turned towards the door.

It swung open slowly.

Ray stood there, his face pale, eyes wild with confusion.

“What the hell are you two talking about?” His voice was tight and controlled but I could hear the cracks.

My breath hitched. “R...Ray”

He stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him. “No. No dodging. What’s going on?”

Don and I exchanged a glance. Mine completely panicked. The walls were closing in. Everything suddenly became too much.

"What the hell is going on with you two?" Ray’s voice cut through the charged atmosphere like a blade. " Both of you have been acting really weird lately. And now I walk in on this intense whispering session? What are you not you telling me?" He finished looking straight at me.

My throat dried up. My pulse hammered loudly in my ears. Don and I exchanged another look. My eyes pleading with him to do something but he looked away.

Ray’s gaze kept darting between us, as if piecing together the fragments of our conversation. His expression then hardened. “Should someone force the truth out of you?”he said then suddenly as if remembering something he repeated Don’s words. “Your belly showing?”

A long silence stretched between us, deeply suffocating.

Then, it hit him. I could tell.

He let out a sharp breath. "Jess, don't tell me you're......... you're pregnant." He said

The words knocked the air from my lungs. I felt frozen and unable to answer.

Ray’s face broke into something close to a smile, his shoulders relaxing just slightly. "That’s great news. Damn, Jess. I mean, you should have told me sooner" He stepped towards me, reaching instinctively for my hand. "We are having a baby."

Don stiffened beside me, his jaw clenching so hard I thought it might snap. My stomach churned violently. The moment stretched unbearably and the weight of what I had to say kept pressing down on me.

"Ray..." My voice wavered. "It is not....." But his eyes suddenly flicked to Don and back to me again. This time, it's as if something registered. A crack in his joy, a slow unraveling of realization. His brows furrowed, his hand dropping from mine as his gaze turned sharp.

"Wait... no. No, no, no," he muttered, shaking his head hard. "Tell me this isn’t what I think it is. Tell me this isn’t....." He couldn't even continue.

His face contorted in horror.

Why didn't you tell me about it? Jess….... tell me it’s not what I think it is.” i could tell he was struggling inside.

Tears welled in my eyes. “Ray....... I.......”

He stumbled back as if I had struck him. His breathing turned ragged, his hands shaking at his sides.

"Who is it? He yelled causing me to flinch.

"I'm asking you Jess." He yelled again but all I could do is turn my gaze to Don, crying loudly this time around.

"I'm sor.....I'm sorry" I was saying in between sobs I couldn't say more. His gaze then snapped to Don.

“You......... It’s not you, is it?” he asked in a whispery voice.

"Right Don. Tell me it's not you" he yelled.

"I'm sorry" Don said

"No.... No. This can't be true" he said shaking his head as if trying to force himself to wake up.

Don opened his mouth again but Ray was already moving before he could say anything. He lunged at him, shoving him hard against the wall. “You bastard!” he yelled.

“Ray..... Ray please stop!” I cried, grabbing his arm, but he shook me off.

The commotion had drawn attention. We weren't particularly quite since I was yelling at Ray to stop. The door burst open again, and suddenly, the room was full. My mother, my father, Jared, Don's parents, Tee.... everyone was there. Their faces filled with confusion and growing horror. Tee's especially.

“What’s going on?” Mom demanded after Jared held Ray, stopping him from hitting Don, her voice sharp.

Ray laughed, but it was hollow and broken. He turned to my parents, pointing at Don and me. “Ask them. Ask Jess and Don what they have been hiding.” he said.

I could see the realization dawning in their eyes. My mother’s hand flew to her mouth. Jared’s jaw clenched. Tee looked at me, her expression torn between fear and sadness.

And then, my father’s voice, heavy with disappointment: “Jessica. What is he talking about?”

The room was spinning. My carefully constructed world was collapsing, piece by piece, and I couldn’t hold it together any longer.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came.

Ray’s voice cut through the silence, raw and devastating.

“She’s pregnant,” he spat. “And it’s not mine.”

Gasps rippled through the room. My mother staggered back. My father’s face darkened with disbelief.

And then.......

The silence shattered.

The night was no longer about celebration. It was about betrayal.

And there was no going back.