Her Name Was Annie by Beth Rinyu (the little red hen read aloud txt) 📕

next to me, triggering me to inexplicably break down in tears. I hated that it had still felt so normal being in his arms last night. I hated that when Francesca asked me if I still loved him, what I really wanted to say was that I was still in love with him. So many years together, so many years apart, and so many things in between. Was I allowing all of that to govern my emotions or was I just mentally drained and not even knowing what I was really feeling? I grabbed the pillow lying beside me and hugged it tightly, allowing the tears to flow upon it as I thought back to that day in the hospital. The day my life and my marriage changed forever.

Every part of my body ached when my eyes peeled open to the brightness overhead. It took a few moments to figure out I was in the hospital, but had no recollection of how I had gotten there. I focused on Jack, who was sitting beside my bed. His familiar face looked almost as foreign as the place I was in. His eyes were puffy and bloodshot, and it looked as if he hadn’t shaved in days. “Kara.” I didn’t even recognize my own voice; it was hoarse and low.

“She’s fine,” Jack whispered, his eyes glassing over a little at the mention of her name.

“There was an accident,” I murmured, suddenly remembering the circumstances that led me here. “I-I…”

Jack grabbed my hand and pushed my hair away from my face. “Just relax, Steph.”

I lowered my other hand to my belly, needing to feel the familiar bump I loved to cradle, the one that provided me with a sense of comfort—it was gone. “The baby. Where is he?” I tried to sit up, but the pain I was in wouldn’t allow it. “Where is he?” I asked again with my gruff voice growing louder.

“They had to do an emergency C-section.” Jack’s voice wavered.

“Go tell the nurse I want to see him. Tell them I’m awake, and I want to hold my son.”

Jack was silent. His blue eyes gazed deep into mine, struggling to get the words out. “H-he didn’t make it, Stephanie.”

“No.” I shook my head. “Please tell me it’s not true.”

The dam of tears Jack had been trying desperately to hold back had broken, and when the first one dripped on my hand, I knew he wasn’t lying. It was the first time in all our years together that I’d seen him cry. His body shook and the tears rolled down his face, and all I could think in that moment was that he did this to us. His career that he worshipped so much killed our unborn son. I wasn’t sure what hurt worse, the pain of losing my baby or not knowing if I’d ever be able to forgive the man I loved because of it.

Chapter 27

AFTER KARA’S DELICIOUS chicken stir-fry dinner, I sat her and my father down in the living room to fill them in on everything. I had to start from the very top for my father, who wasn’t even aware that Francesca had contacted me. He seemed almost as stunned as I was by it all, as he sat there trying to take it all in.

“So you weren’t the brother’s child?” Kara asked.

“No, she was pregnant with me before he did that to her.”

“And he got away with it all these years?” Kara’s voice was laced with repulsion.

I nodded and exhaled forcefully. “Anyway, I told her I wanted to keep in touch, and that I’d like both of you to meet her.” Kara smiled at the suggestion while my father seemed a little uncomfortable with the mention of it. “Dad, this changes nothing.” I reassured him. “I made it very clear to her that she made the right decision putting me up for adoption by giving me the best parents ever.”

“I don’t know, Stephy.” My father shook his head. “Why after all of these years is she wanting to meet you?”

“Dad, I told you. She didn’t have the means to do it herself, and the opportunity was given to her, so she took it.” I knew I could tell him a million times that no one would ever replace him or my mother, but he’d still have doubts. I was pretty certain I’d be feeling the same way if I were in his situation. But the fact of the matter was, I wanted to maintain a relationship with Francesca, and I wanted her to meet the wonderful man who raised me.

“Well, if that’s what you want, then fine. I’d be willing to meet her,” he grumbled.

“Thanks, Dad.” I leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek.

“Dad isn’t planning on stopping by tonight, is he?” Kara asked, looking up from her phone.

“Not that I’m aware of.” Relief washed over her face as she dropped her gaze back to her phone and began to hit the buttons. “Why? What’s going on?” I asked.

“Well, I invited a new friend over for dessert, and I wanted you to meet him before Dad does.”

“Okay.” I cinched my eyebrows in confusion. “You do know if this friend turns out to be something more, Dad’s going to have to eventually meet him?”

“Oh boy, I do!” She sighed heavily as if that was the last thing she wanted to happen.

“Kara, what’s going on?” I asked just as the doorbell rang and Kara sprang from the chair to answer it. I shrugged as my father and I exchanged confused glances.

Within a few seconds Kara reappeared back in the living room with a tall, nicely built guy who looked to be around her age. “Mom and Pop, this is Ian.”

Ian? I had heard that name mentioned before, but couldn’t remember who he was.

“Oh, hello, Ian, it’s so nice to meet you.”

He gently reached for my hand, then shook my father’s a little more firmly.

“It’s nice to meet you too.” He ran his hand through