Confronting the Truth

Chapter 10: Confronting the Truth

The weight of Sophie's words clung to me long after the call ended.

Kristoff doesn't know her.

The sentence repeated in my head, twisting everything I thought I knew. Had I made a mistake? Had I walked away without giving him a chance to explain?

I wanted to believe I had done the right thing. That leaving was the only way to protect myself.

But now, doubt gnawed at the edges of my resolve.

I paced the motel room, my heart hammering in my chest.

I should just forget it. Move on.

But could I?

Could I really move forward knowing I might have abandoned the father of my child over a lie?

I pressed a hand to my stomach.

This wasn't just about me anymore.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my keys and walked out the door.

I had to see him.

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Back to the Hospital

The drive felt longer than it should have, every mile stretching my nerves tighter. By the time I reached the hospital, my hands were trembling against the steering wheel.

I sat in the car for a long moment, trying to steady my breath.

This was it.

One way or another, I was about to get answers.

With my heart pounding, I forced myself out of the car and into the hospital.

The fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow over the sterile white hallways, and the smell of antiseptic hit me like a wave of nausea.

Every step toward Kristoff's room felt heavier than the last.

What if she was still there?

What if I had to look her in the eye again, knowing she had already claimed the place at his side?

I swallowed the lump in my throat and rounded the corner.

The door to his room was slightly ajar.

I took a shaky breath and stepped inside.

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Face to Face

Kristoff was awake.

The sight of him pale, weak, but sitting up in bed stole the air from my lungs.

His dark eyes lifted the moment I walked in, widening with surprise.

"Ariella?" His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't used it in days.

My fingers curled into fists at my sides. "Hey."

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The weight of everything that had happened, everything that was left unsaid, stretched between us.

Then he frowned. "You left."

I let out a shaky laugh. "What was I supposed to do, Kristoff?"

"You were supposed to stay." His voice was quiet but firm.

Anger flickered to life in my chest. "And what? Watch your girlfriend take care of you while I stood in the corner like some pathetic fool?"

Kristoff blinked, confusion flashing across his face. "What the hell are you talking about?"

My hands trembled as I crossed my arms. "The girl. The one who was sitting beside your bed, holding your hand like she belonged there. She told me she was your girlfriend, Kristoff. What was I supposed to think?"

Kristoff's brows furrowed. "Ari, I don't have a girlfriend."

My breath caught. "What?"

He shook his head, wincing slightly. "I don't know who she is. I woke up a few hours ago, and the nurses told me someone had been here, but I assumed they meant you."

I felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me. "She… she said she was yours."

His expression hardened. "She lied."

I stumbled back a step, my head spinning.

I had left him over a lie.

My chest tightened with shame and regret.

Kristoff's gaze softened. "Ari… why didn't you ask me first?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Because I had been scared.

Because I had believed, deep down, that I wasn't enough for him to stay.

Because I had been protecting myself.

Tears burned my eyes as I whispered, "I'm sorry."

Kristoff let out a breath, his shoulders sagging. "You don't have to apologize. Just… tell me the truth. Why did you run?"

I bit my lip, my voice barely a whisper. "Because I didn't want to get hurt again."

His expression darkened. "Ariella, I would never—"

"You don't get it, Kristoff." My voice cracked. "Every time I let myself believe in something good, it gets ripped away. First, with Derek and Lisa. Then, when I thought you had abandoned me. And then… seeing her with you, it was just—" I shook my head, swallowing down the lump in my throat. "It was too much."

Kristoff's eyes searched mine, something unreadable flickering behind them.

Then, to my shock, he reached for my hand.

I stiffened, but I didn't pull away.

"I can't promise I'll never hurt you," he admitted quietly. "But I can promise that if I do, it won't be because I lied or because I don't care."

I swallowed hard.

He squeezed my fingers gently. "I meant what I said, Ari. I'm here. For you. For the baby. For whatever comes next."

A fresh wave of emotion crashed over me, and before I could stop myself, I sank onto the edge of his bed, gripping his hand like a lifeline.

For the first time in weeks, the fear didn't feel so suffocating.

For the first time, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, I wasn't alone.

And for now, that was enough.

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