<h4>Chapter 52: Forgive Me</h4>


    Sarah


    "What are you doing here?" Reba asks, looking at me questioningly.


    I force out a smile, trying not to let her harsh attitude hurt my feelings. "Can I pleasee in?" I ask.


    Reba hesitates, her grip tightening on the doorframe. Her eyes scan my face, searching for an answer beyond my words.


    "Why?" she asks.


    I swallow hard. "I just... I need to talk to you. Please."


    For a moment, I think she’s going to m the door in my face. But then, with a sigh, she steps aside. "Fine. Come in."


    I step inside. The living room is just as I remember—cozy, cluttered, lived-in.


    Reba crosses her arms. "Well?"


    I take a deep breath, my hands trembling at my sides. "I know I have no right to be here, but I didn’t know where else to go."


    Her expression softens, but she doesn’t say anything.


    I press on. "I thought we could talk."


    Reba exhales sharply as if weighing her patience. "Talk about what?"


    I shift on my feet, suddenly unsure. Now that I’m here, standing in front of her, the words feel heavier than they did in my head. "I am pregnant, Reba."


    Her eyes turned wide. "What?"


    "Yes. I am pregnant," I repeat.


    "We have been on this road before, Sarah. I supported you back then because you were my best friend, but then—" Reba pauses as if she does not know how to end her thoughts.


    Tears threaten to spill, but I hold them back. "I know. I was stupid back then. A liar. But I am not lying about that anymore."


    Reba sighs. "What does Matthew have to say about this?"


    I hesitate, lowering my gaze to the floor. "He said he doesn’t trust me anymore. He used me of lying and carrying someone else’s child," I admit quietly.


    Reba exhales, rubbing her forehead. "Sarah, can you really me him?"


    My stomach twists at her words, but I force myself to stay calm. "I get it," I say. "I ruined things before. I hurt people. But this time, I’m telling the truth, Reba. I swear."


    She studies me, her arms still crossed over her chest. "And what do you expect me to do? Talk to him? Make him believe you?"


    I shake my head. "No. I just... I didn’t know where else to go. Who else to talk to."


    Reba sighs and runs a hand through her hair. "Sarah, I care about you. I always have. But trust is a fragile thing. If Matthew doesn’t believe you, you need to prove it to him—not to me."


    I let the tears fall. "I just...I need my best friend back. I don’t have any other friends, Becky."


    "Come sit, Sarah," she says quietly.


    I do as she says and sit down on the couch.


    I wipe at my tears, my chest aching. "I don’t want to do this alone." My voice breaks on thest word.


    Reba watches me for a long moment before sighing and sitting down beside me. "You have your parents. And you have Marishka."


    I shake my head. "It’s not the same."


    She exhales sharply, rubbing her hands over her thighs. "Alright. You start by proving you’ve changed. By being honest. No more half-truths, no more maniption."


    "I swear, Reba. I’m done with all of that forever." My voice wavers, raw with emotion.


    She studies me for a moment before finally nodding. "Okay. I forgive you."


    I break down then, tears flowing freely. All the tension I’ve been carrying—the fear, the loneliness—it alles rushing out.


    "Thank you," I whisper, my voice barely audible.


    Reba hesitates, then reaches out and takes my hand. Her touch is tentative, but it’s there. "Don’t thank me yet. We have a lot to work through."


    I nod, wiping my face with my free hand. "I know."


    "So what’s your n?" she asks, her voice gentler now. "Have you been to a doctor?"


    "Not yet. I’ve only just found out." I pause, gathering courage. "I’m scared, Becky."


    She squeezes my hand. "That’s normal. But you need to see someone, get proper care."


    "I will." I look around her apartment, noticing the small changes since I wasst here—new throw pillows, different pictures on the wall. A life that continued without me. "He is so angry at me."


    Reba sighs. "Matthew needs time. You hurt him badlyst time."


    "I know I did," I admit, the weight of my past mistakes heavy on my shoulders. "But this baby is his. I haven’t been with anyone else."


    Reba studies me for a long moment before nodding slowly. "I believe you."


    "Really?"


    "Really. And I will help you win Matthew over," she says. "He will change his attitude toward you sooner orter."


    For the first time in months, I feel something like hope.


    "Thank you for saying that, Reba," I say.


    "Is it weird to see Josh back in town?" Reba suddenly asks.


    I nod and smile. "Yeah, I didn’t expect to see him back. He just showed up at my house and scared the crap out of me." I giggle.


    Reba raises an eyebrow. "And how did Matthew react? He never met her before, had he?"


    "No. He seemed...jealous," I say, oddly feeling satisfied over the fact. Matthew is only jealous of Josh because he cares, right?


    Reba smirks, leaning back against the couch. "Jealous, huh? That’s interesting."


    I shrug, trying to seem nonchnt, but I can feel the warmth creeping up my neck. "I don’t know. He was just acting weird, like he didn’t like Josh being there."


    Reba tilts her head. "Well, can you me him? Josh is always so touchy-feely, and Matthew’s already struggling to trust you again. Seeing another guy from your past show up probably didn’t help."


    I bite my lip, thinking about it. "Maybe. But I wasn’t trying to make him jealous or anything. Josh is just a friend."


    Reba gives me a skeptical look. "Come on, Sarah. Josh always liked you a little more than a friend. I am sure Matthew can feel it."


    I shake my head. "No, that’s ridiculous. Josh always dated those model-type girls when we were in college."


    Reba rolls her eyes. "That doesn’t mean he didn’t have a thing for you. You were always the one person he’d drop everything for."


    I let out a frustrated sigh. "Josh and I were never like that. He was just a good friend."


    Reba gives me a knowing look but doesn’t push it further. "Alright. If you say so."


    I smile. "I should get going. It’s almost dinner time, and Matthew will be home soon."


    Reba smiles back at me. "Take care of yourself, Sarah."