Ch 44: Can't take it back now

Renee had read the note that morning and gone through her routine—feeding the animals, letting them out of the barn—when she heard the crunch of gravel and looked up to see Jake’s car pulling into the driveway. Her phone hadn’t rung; still no word from Beth, her best friend. She desperately needed to confide in her before facing this. Taking a deep breath, she headed to the front yard, bracing herself for anger, for heartbreak. Jake stepped out, tension in his shoulders. “Hey, sorry I’m late...” His smile was brisk, his arm lifting a bottle of wine. “I found it at the local vineyard on my way over.” He closed the car door behind him.

As he moved closer she saw his grin falter. She was trying so hard to hold it together, but inside she was collapsing—pain in her chest, knots in her stomach. She swallowed hard. Jake set down the bottle on the porch rail. “Renee...” he said softly. “What’s wrong? Did I screw up?” Her eyes flooded with tears. Without warning, she burst out: “Why would you think that?” she snapped. “You did nothing wrong this time. I did.” She let out a shaky laugh. Jake tilted his head, surprised. “What could be that bad?” She lowered her head, fingers twisting. “I just found out yesterday.” She paused. “I didn’t think anything until–” Then she stopped herself. "We need to sit. Please."

Jake didn’t hesitate. He squeezed her hand and led her to the porch swing. A few tears fell during the short walk, and when they sat side by side, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “What’s going on?” he asked gently. Renee closed her eyes and took a long breath. “I slept with Mike again. Then he—he said something that made me realize I’m… late.” She looked away before the words spilled out. Before she could close her mouth, Jake squeezed her hand again, and his jaw tightened. No reply was needed.
She exhaled sharply. “I didn’t mean to do it,” she whispered. “I know what I did.” Jake lifted her chin and met her gaze. “So what did you expect? That I’d be furious? Or vanish again?” His voice cracked. “Renee—I know you didn’t plan this. And I’m here—through it all, if you want me. If that’s worth anything.”
A sharp ache twisted through her. She swallowed hard and looked at him. “You still have to choose,” she said quietly. “You may not have planned it, but it’s still here.” They sat together, silent, letting everything settle. Then her phone rang. She jumped. It was Mike’s name on the screen. Jake reached out. “Answer it,” he said quietly. “I’m not going anywhere.” She lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello?” Mike’s voice was soft. “Hey—just checking in. Did you eat?”

“No,” Renee admitted. “I’m with Jake, and I haven’t eaten yet, I was about to.” Jake shifted uncomfortably but didn’t interrupt. Renee watched him step to the front door while she finished the call. When she hung up, Jake was waiting in the hallway. He looked at her with concern, his expression something she’d once recognized so well. His voice was rough when he spoke. “Inside… now.” She froze. The tone was the same—familiar, shared in passion, comfort, sorrow. She nodded and followed him into the house.
Barely a second boot tucked away, Jake gripped her arm and steadied her. “Why didn’t you eat? You tell Mike you’re pregnant, then not eat? It’s almost three in the afternoon.” Renee turned her head away. “I was going to.” Jake cut her off. “Go to the kitchen. I’m cooking.” His command startled her, but she obeyed. His control surprised her—and excited her in equal measure.

Jake cleared a spot and pulled out eggs, milk, and bacon. His movements were deliberate, focused. “Here,” he said, placing the ingredients out before her. “This is for now. Eat first, then call him and say you ate.” She swallowed. She tried to form a response. But before words came, he cut her off: “Don’t apologize. You didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” A second passed. Then another. He prepared a breakfast sandwich with quiet care, toasted bread, fluffy eggs, crisp bacon. When the sandwich was placed before her, he sat again, took her hand, and squeezed. “Eat. Then we can talk.” She saw genuine kindness and fear in his eyes. She nodded and began to eat. When she finished, she washed her plate and rinsed it, then turned back in his direction. She stared at his face. Inside, she felt raw. “I don’t know what I feel or what I want or what’s right.” Her voice broke. “I want you. I want him. And now I’ve messed everything up—you say you’ll be here, but you said that before…”

Her voice broke again. She looked at him. “Can you actually be okay with this baby, or with me, knowing it’s not yours?” He stood silently. He walked toward her, stopping so close she could feel his breath. He gently touched her face. She watched, her breath hitching, as he held her cheek between his thumb and fingertips. He looked as if he’d weighed her words against his soul. “I’m here,” he said, voice low. “I left you… and you moved on. You fell for him. I came back because I love you, Renee. Am I mad? No. Hurt? Yes. But I love you more than any risk.” He leaned forward, bringing their faces close. His whisper brushed her mouth. “I love you.” Renee’s pulse hammered. She opened her mouth to respond—and he closed the distance, kissing her again. She melted into him. Her hands found his chest. Her heart pounded with conflict—hope and fear fighting for space.

When they broke apart, breathless, she dared to whisper, “Do you really mean that?” He brushed her hair from her face and kissed her temple. “Then we figure it out. Together.” She nodded, but tension still coiled tightly within her. Just then, there was a knock—sharp, unexpected. Jake stiffened. Renee’s heart thudded. “I think… it’s him.” They both turned toward the door. Jake’s brow lowered. Renee held her breath. And in the hallway, Mike appeared, bag of groceries in hand, eyes dark with something she couldn’t read. “I figured you hadn’t eaten,” he said softly.

The dynamic shifted—tension crackling in the air as he caught sight of Jake on one side of her and Renee on the other. It was the moment they’d all known was coming: two men, one woman, and a truth that threatened to topple everything. Her throat went dry. She blinked. Everything—sudden, impossible.
And then emotions built in her chest, eyes swelling with tears.
Three hearts. One impossible choice.

Renee stands between the two men who’ve claimed pieces of her soul—Jake, the man who left but returned with love in his eyes, and Mike, the one who stayed through every storm. But with a baby on the line and emotions running high, someone will have to walk away. The tension crackles as the truth unravels. Who will fight for her future… and who will let go?

When love isn’t enough, who stays—and who breaks under the weight of what they can’t share?