Too Late 24

Chapter 24 

The silence between us was louder than ever. 

Joseph sat by my hospital bed like he always had, loyal, present, attentive-but something was different. I wasn’t reaching for his hand anymore. I wasn’t leaning into his warmth the way I used to. And I could tell he felt it. 

He finally broke the silence. 

“Allison… you’ve been quiet these past few days. Distant.” 

His voice was soft, careful. “Is something wrong?” 

I looked at him, eyes steady. “Is there something you need to tell me?” 

He blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?” 

didn’t look away. “Are you cheating on me?” 

What?” His voice cracked with disbelief. “Allison-no. Of course not. Why would you even say 

hat?” 

reached into the drawer beside my bed and pulled out the folded photograph-the photograph 

he one that had haunted me. 

handed it to him without a word. 

He took it, frowning, staring at it for a long moment before shaking his head and exhaling harply. “River sent you this, didn’t he? That man is trying to ruin what we have.” 

folded my arms, heart heavy. “Then explain it to me. If there’s nothing to hide, tell me what thi: 

s.” 

loseph set the photo down on the table and leaned forward. “Maureen came back. She’s my ex- he wanted to start things again, but I told her no. She kissed me. I didn’t kiss her back- ushed her away. I swear it, Allison. I didn’t tell you because… because I didn’t want to worry you I meant nothing. I thought it was over.” 

swallowed hard. The weight on my chest didn’t lift. 

River told me that, too,” I said softly. “His ex Candice came back and ruined us. Why not tell me so I would understand?” 

He looked hurt, panicked. “Because it was nothing. I didn’t want drama. I wanted to protect you.” 

You don’t protect someone by hiding the truth,” I replied. 

His expression shattered. “What are you saying?” 

looked away, focusing on the window. The trees outside swayed gently in the breeze. 

‘I don’t think I can do this again,” I said. 

There was a long silence before Joseph finally spoke, voice cracking. “Wait-what does that mean? You’re… breaking up with me?” 

‘I need time,” I whispered. “Time to think. To heal. I’m not saying I don’t love you. I’m just saying… I’m scared.” 

He stood up, stepping closer, eyes desperate. “Please don’t do this, Allison. I love you. You’re everything to me.” 

“I know,” I said, tears brimming. “But love’s not the only thing that matters.” He didn’t argue after that. He only nodded, defeated, and stepped back. 

But he didn’t leave. 

Despite everything, Joseph stayed. Day and night, he was there. He helped me sit up. He read to me. He brought me fresh clothes and held my hand when I cried in the dark, even when I pulled away seconds later. 

I wanted to believe him. I almost did. 

But that picture… that lie… it had left a scar. 

And more than that, the attack in this hospital, River taking that knife for me-it changed something inside me. I was scared. What if something like that happened again? 

But then again… deep down, I knew something else too. 

I still loved Joseph. That hadn’t changed. 

t was this strange, aching contradiction: loving someone and hurting because of them at the same time. 

Days passed. 

kept my distance emotionally, but physically, I was healing fast. Forgetting about everything especially River. I learned from his men that they had taken care of Candice after what she did to 

1. I didn’t want to think about it. Just moved on. 

Joseph respected my need for space, though I saw him watching me with sadness when he hought I wasn’t looking. 

One morning, I woke up with a sharp jolt of nausea. The kind that hits fast and hard. 

barely made it to the bathroom before I started vomiting, gripping the sink for support, my whole body shaking. 

The taste was bitter. My stomach churned again. 

This wasn’t normal. 

rinsed my mouth and leaned against the wall, panting. 

A thought crept into my mind, subtle and terrifying. 

Could I be…? 

I blinked, staring at myself in the mirror. My hands trembled slightly as I pressed a hand to my lower belly. 

My mind was a storm now-spinning with what-ifs, memories, fear, confusion. 

Pregnant?