Chapter 406
“I’m
sorry…” Evangeline muttered an apology without thinking, accidentally stirring up Julieta’s own heartaches.
“Don’t worry about it, Ms. Evangeline. Beyond our jobs, we’re both just people, right? If you ever want to get something off your chest, I’m all ears.”
Evangeline glanced at Julieta, noticing the tears welling up in her eyes, and shyly looked away. “Is that true?
“Julieta, I lost my mom when I was little, and even though my grandfather and uncles are super sweet, they’re guys. They don’t really get the whole ‘heart–to–heart‘ thing. You’re the only one I can talk to about this stuff.”
Evangeline inhaled deeply, feeling overwhelmed by life’s curveballs.
Her best friend Roslyn was a whirlwind of energy, not exactly the type to grasp those fragile feelings. Why bother dumping all that on her and dragging her down too?
Julieta offered a soft smile. “Anytime you need to talk about anything, I’m here for you.”
“I guess I know talking won’t change much.” Evangeline’s gaze drifted to the moon above.
It was a perfect orb, casting a pure light that made her tiny garden glow.
“We’ve all got our own roads to walk, right? Nobody else can do it for us. Still, getting it out can lighten the load.”
Julieta gently pushed back against Evangeline’s resignation. “Ms. Evangeline, look at the dark circles under your eyes. You haven’t had a good night’s sleep in days. If you keep this up, how will your baby thrive? You’ve got to take care of yourself, not just for you but for your little one too.”
Evangeline was shocked. She thought she had her act down pat, but Julieta, with her eagle eyes, could see right through her.
“I’ll do my best.”
The daytime was not so bad with people around, but at night, the images of Walter and Minnie wrapped up in each other’s arms just would not leave her head.
Sometimes, in those visions, Minnie’s face would twist into hers.
Without realizing it, Evangeline’s hand drifted to her heart.
She knew deep down that she had not moved on from Walter.
She could act as distant as ice, pretending he was invisible. However, those were just masks for the world, never fooling her own heart.
Julieta did not know the storm raging in Evangeline’s heart, but she had her own take on kids. If a few offhand remarks could help Evangeline sort out her feelings, then it was worth a shot.
Thinking this, Julieta let out a sigh to catch Evangeline’s attention. “People say a kid is the product of love. I say it’s more like a ball and chain.
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Chapter 406
“The moment you decide to have that baby, the father’s footprint is stamped on your life forever, like it or
not.
“So, Ms. Evangeline, if this kid’s got you this down, maybe it’s time to think about whether he should stick around. I’ve heard bits and pieces about Mr. Walter Gordon, and letting a guy like that mess with your whole life… Is it really worth it?”
Julieta’s words kept replaying in Evangeline’s ears.
Even after she got her things in order and hit the sack, she lay there, wrestling with the question.
Walter… Was it all really worth it?
Her hands rested on her belly, feeling the firmness beneath her skin that sent a warm tingle to her fingertips.
Julieta had said it plainly: If she got rid of the baby, she would wipe away Walter’s mark from her life for good.
