Elena thought her life couldn’t get any more complicated when her fiancé disappeared after learning she was pregnant. But when her boss humiliated her at a staff meeting, the truth about the father of her baby came to light…
Three months ago, my life fell apart. I’m not exaggerating.
I was 27 years old, engaged to a man I thought I would spend forever with, and had no idea how quickly dreams could be shattered.
The day I told Ethan I was pregnant, I’ll never forget the frozen look on his face.
“Are you serious?” – He asked, his voice low and harsh.
I nodded, trying to smile despite my nerves.
“We’re going to be parents…”
Instead of the expected joy, he mumbled something about needing time to think. And then he walked out the door.
And never came back.
I didn’t tell anyone. Not my family, not my coworkers.
My father was a powerful man, the owner of the company I worked for. My sister, Rebecca, ran another branch and was married to Adam, my boss.
Everyone had high hopes for me and my future. But the truth about the father of my child was like a time bomb. I couldn’t risk it. So I left my parents’ home and traveled alone, hoping to hide the truth for as long as possible.
My father handed over management of the business to Rebecca and Adam while he and my mother enjoyed their luxury travels.
But secrets always come out, don’t they?
And mine came out in the most horrible way.
I was standing in the middle of the conference room during a team meeting when Adam, my boss and brother-in-law, decided to turn my pregnancy into a public spectacle.
“So, Elena,” he said, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. “I hear you’re to be congratulated. You’re pregnant, aren’t you? Finally settling down! Good for you, good for you.”
A few people giggled nervously. I felt the heat rise to my face as all eyes in the room turned to me.
“I guess you’ll have to find your father now, won’t you?” – he added, slamming the table as if he had just given out the joke of the century.
The laughter quickly subsided, but Adam wasn’t done yet.
“But even if you don’t want to, you don’t have to worry, right? Single mothers get decent benefits. Maybe I should give you a $1,000 a year raise. What do you all think?”
There was an awkward silence in the room. My chest tightened and I clenched my fists, fighting back tears.
“That child’s father told me he loved me more than his own life,” I said, and my voice trembled. “But as soon as he found out, he ran away.”
Adam’s grin widened.
“Ah, men. Typical, isn’t it?”
I was seconds away from running out when suddenly the office doors swung open.
A young woman walked in with a baby in her arms, tears streaming down her face. She was no more than twenty-two or twenty-three years old, but despite her tears and trembling hands, she stood her ground.
Behind her walked Rebecca and my father.
My stomach twisted as I recognized the woman.
“Lila?” I whispered.
Lila was Rebecca’s former assistant. I’d seen her a few times at the office and once at a family dinner. She’d always seemed quiet, almost shy. But she looked different now.
Rebecca crossed her arms, her expression unreadable.
“I know why Lila quit her job. Just like I know why you left Mom and Dad’s house, Elena.” She said coldly. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? That I would believe that story about Ethan?”
My mouth went dry. My heart raced.
“I found your journal, Elena. You didn’t pack it well when you left. You left it on the nightstand.”
There was a sepulchral silence in the room.
Rebecca continued, barely contained rage in her words.
“Adam is the father of your child, isn’t he?”
A wave of whispers swept through the room. My knees went weak.
But Rebecca wasn’t done yet.
“And,” she added, pointing to Lila, ”Adam is also the father of HER child.
Lila stepped forward, cradling the baby to her chest.
Adam’s face turned ash gray.
“Rebecca… I… I can explain!” – he stammered.
“No,” Rebecca snarled. “You lied to me for years. You betrayed me. You broke my trust. It’s over between us, Adam. You’re dead to me.”
My father stepped forward, his expression cold and commanding.
“I’ve heard enough,” he said emphatically. “Adam, you’re fired. Effective immediately. Pack your things and leave.”
Adam opened his mouth to object, but my father raised his hand to silence him.
“And,” he added, ”you will pay child support for both children. I’ll see to it.”
The office quickly emptied, the staff whispering about the scandal as they left.
I was left not knowing what to do until my father approached me.
“Elena,” he said, his voice softer. “Why didn’t you come to me?”
Tears burned in my eyes as I looked at the floor.
“I didn’t want to ruin Rebecca’s life,” I admitted. “And I was afraid of how you’d look at me if you found out the truth.”
He sighed, shaking his head.
“It’s not your fault, sweetheart,” he said. “Adam manipulated you, as he manipulated all of us. You’re my daughter, and I will always stand by you.”
Rebecca stepped closer. Her face was flushed, but her gaze was hard.
For a moment I thought she was going to slap me. But instead she enclosed me in a hug.
“I’m furious, Elena,” she said, her voice shaking. “But not at you. It was Adam who ruined our marriage. We’ll get through this together.”
A week later, my phone rang.
“Elena,” my father said. “I need someone I can trust to take Adam’s place. You’ve been with the company for five years and know the team better than anyone else. Would you be willing to be interim director?”
I was at a loss for words.
“Are you sure, Dad?”
“Absolutely. I trust you.”
The answer, of course, was yes.
It wasn’t easy taking Adam’s place, but every day I walked into that office, I lifted my head a little higher.
And the best part?
My children will grow up knowing that their mother never backed down. And that their family wholeheartedly supported her.
And as for Adam? He’s in the past.
And Rebecca? We’re slowly rebuilding our relationship.
Life doesn’t always go according to plan, but sometimes when the dust settles, you realize you’re stronger than you ever imagined.
