Chapter 46 Unexpected Revelations
The persistent chime of the doorbell echoed through Teresa's apartment as she rinsed vegetables, getting ready for a quiet evening with her homemade bouillabaisse. She assumed it was Gabriel's audacity at her doorstep, persistently ringing.
"Ding-dong... Ding-dong..."
She ignored the sound, she focused on her task, but the doorbell was insistent.
"Ding-dong... Ding-dong..."
With a huff, Teresa went to the door, ready to confront Gabriel.
"Gabriel, you..."
"Lix Mo..." She halted, stunned. It wasn't Gabriel but William, her brother, who stood before her, equally taken aback by her outburst and the visible evidence of her pregnancy.
"William, what brings you here?" Teresa's secret was revealed, the seven-month truth of her condition now is impossible to conceal.
William, momentarily speechless, stepped past her into the apartment. Teresa, feeling like she had just made a massive blunder, closed the door and followed him meekly.
"What's this about Gabriel? And the baby?" William demanded, his eyes fixed on her swollen belly.
He had come to surprise her, but the tables had turned.
"No, it's not Gabriel!" Teresa defended herself against the accusation.
"How could I not think it?" William's anger was palpable, fueled by his unexpected encounter with Gabriel just moments before downstairs.
Teresa hurriedly explained, "The baby is Liam brother's. Gabriel is married, and his wife is my friend. It's impossible between us."
William, still fuming, questioned Gabriel's presence at her building.
Teresa confessed Gabriel's outrageous proposal and his willingness to leave his wife, Unity, for her. It was a first for William to see her so troubled.
"Gabriel lost his mind?!" William couldn't believe it.
Teresa swore the child was unrelated to Gabriel.
William, seeing her sincerity, asked for the full story of the baby.
Teresa, no longer holding back, spilled everything.
"Is this the truth?" William's emotions were a mix of anger and sorrow.
Teresa nodded, her honesty apparent.
"Why didn’t you go to the police, or tell us?" William was concerned.
She had been too scared, Teresa admitted, fearing the repercussions.
"Why keep the baby if it was assault?" He couldn't understand.
Teresa revealed her initial thoughts of abortion but kept the baby out of spite toward Liam.
"So Liam left because of this?" William sought confirmation.
Teresa nodded again.
William was exasperated but held back his anger, realizing his sister's plight.
Teresa, sensing his disappointment, invited him to vent.
"What will you do after the baby is born?" William inquired, trying to remain calm.
"I'll raise up my child," Teresa declared firmly.
William pondered the future difficulties, but Teresa dismissed any notion of marriage or reliance on family support.
William couldn't help but smile at her independence. "Supporting you isn't a problem," he reassured her.
Teresa was touched, asked if he accepted her decision.
William conceded, knowing it was too late to change anything.
Teresa praised him lavishly, and William, amused, asked about her cooking.
They bantered playfully, and William took over the cooking, teasing her about coping with the baby.
After a warm family dinner, William left when Diana returned.
Diana, smitten with William's charm, inquired about his relationship status.
Teresa informed her of his longtime love, but encouraged Diana not to lose hope.
They joked about Diana becoming her sister-in-law.
Downstairs, William contacted Gabriel to set boundaries regarding Teresa.
Gabriel was surprisingly cooperative, and promised not to trouble Teresa again.
William ended the call, pondering Gabriel's real intentions.
Two months later, Teresa gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Overwhelmed by emotions, she cradled her son, now she’s a mother.
Across the world, Gabriel awoke feeling a profound emptiness. He was soon notified of Unity's labor and prepared to meet his own child.
At the hospital, Gabriel's family was celebrating the birth of his son.
