I sat on the edge of Marisol’s bed, clutching the black card between my fingers like it was some kind of key. In a way, it was. My hands were cold and my heart hadn’t stopped racing since I walked out of that house.

Marisol stared at me, her eyes bouncing between the card and my face.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “Tell me what happened.”

I let out a shaky breath. “Chloe overheard us. She dug the pregnancy test out of the trash.”

“Jesus. That girl is unhinged.”

I nodded. “Definitely. She told Dad and Trina. They gave me an ultimatum. Abort it or leave town. I said I’d leave town.”

“Girl…”

“I know, I know,” I said, holding up my hand. “It was stupid. I was hurt and angry and I just…”

“Did the right thing.” She cut in. “You’re pregnant. You need your family now more than ever. And they’re isolating you even now. ”

Tears pooled in my eyes. “Yeah.” I croaked.

Marisol rubbed her face, then leaned back against the headboard. “And this card?”

“I took it. From that night. Don’t know why, but thank God I did.”

She took it from me and squinted at the gold crest. “Bridge Incorporated,” she murmured. “Wait… Bridge Inc.? The Bridge Inc?”

“I didn’t know what it was until I googled it last night,” I said. “They do a bunch of things. Real estate. Tech. Finance. They’ve got a headquarters in Seattle.”

Marisol let out a low laugh. “Girl, Bridge Inc. is one of the biggest companies in Canada and the world right now. And you’re baby daddy works there? He must be rich.”

“I don’t know if he is. Maybe he’s a driver. Or an assistant. I don’t know.”

“But he could own a huge ass house. You guys could work it out.”

I sighed. “Yeah.”

“So you’re going to leave then?”

I pulled my knees to my chest. “I’m going to the city. Tomorrow.”

Marisol blinked. “Tomorrow? You’re serious?”

“I have nowhere else to go. My dad wants me gone, Trina wants me erased, and Chloe…don’t even get me started. There’s nothing here for me anymore. There’s no use sticking around.”

Marisol was quiet for a long moment.

Then she said, “Good.”

My head jerked up. “Good?”

She grinned. “Because I was about to tell you I got offered a job at a digital media company in the city. Well, not a job job. But there’s this exclusive interview thing I’ve got to attend in the city. And if I get it…girl, it’d take my career up and running like crazy. I was going to wait to break the news, but now... we can leave together.”

My eyes widened. “Wait, really?”

She laughed. “Yes, dummy. We’ll find an apartment. I’ll start work. You’ll... find mystery baby daddy.”

I exhaled in something between relief and disbelief. “Thank you.”

“I’m always here for you, babe.”

---

That night, we stopped by The Hook for the last time. The music was mellow, the lighting low, and the place smelled like whiskey and memory. How fitting I’d come back where it all started.

Miguel was wiping glasses behind the counter when he saw us.

“Well, well,” he said, smiling as he walked over. “Didn’t think I’d see you two again, especially so soon.”

Marisol slid into her usual booth. “We here to say goodbye to this place.”

He froze mid-step. “What?”

“We’re leaving tomorrow,” I said. “City-bound. Yay.”

He stared at me. “Why?”

“I need a fresh start,” I said. “We both do.”

Miguel’s eyes narrowed. “Is that what this is? Are you trouble? You can tell me, I can…”

“It’s nothung too serious,” I interrupted.

Marisol snorted into her drink. “Yup. She’s just preggies.”

I gasped, “Marisol!” I swatted at her, my lips pursed to hold in a laugh.

He looked at me, really looked, and then his eyes softened in realization. “You’re pregnant. From…that night?”

I swallowed hard but nodded.

He leaned on the table, voice quieter now. “You okay?”

“No,” I admitted. “But I will be.”

Miguel looked at Marisol. “You going with her?”

“She’s stuck with me,” Marisol said proudly. “Besides, I’ve got a new job waiting.”

He gave her a brief grin, then turned back to me. “I’ll miss you, Bella.” He said somberly.

“Thanks, Miguel. For the drinks. And the flirting.”

He smirked. “Of course. You sure you want to give that up?”

“Tempting,” I said, “but my life’s already too messy.”

He nodded and reached into his apron pocket, pulling out a small glass charm on a red thread.

“Here,” he said. “From my grandmother. She used to give them to travelers. For protection.”

I took it carefully, fingers brushing his. My throat tightened at his kindness. “Thank you.”

He raised his glass. “To the road ahead.”

“Cheers to that,” I said.

---

We were on the highway before the sun rose, the sky still streaked with gray. Marisol drove, music playing low from the speakers. The car smelled like her vanilla perfume and coffee.

My hand rested lightly over my stomach. I wasn’t showing yet. But it felt real now. More than ever.

“You nervous?” she asked.

“Terrified,” I said.

She glanced over. “Want to turn around?”

I looked out the window at the hills fading behind us, our town disappearing in the rearview.

“No,” I said softly. “I’m done looking back.”

We fell into silence for a while, the kind that felt warm. Safe.

Then she asked, “What if he’s married?”

I stiffened.

“What if he denies the baby?”

I stayed quiet. Well…

“What if he’s an arrogant, rich asshole who doesn’t want anything to do with you?”

“Geez girl,” I muttered. “You really want me to turn back so bad?”

Marisol sighed. “No. I’m sorry. I’m just…worried. I don’t want you to get anymore hurt. You’ve been through so much already.”

I pursed my lips with a sad smile but said nothing.

We passed the welcome to town sign. I looked ahead, heart pounding.

This was it. New beginning. New place. Unknown father. A baby on the way.

I didn’t know if he’d slam the door in my face. Or if he’d even remember me. Or how he’d react. Things could go so terribly wrong.

But I was going anyway.

Because this baby deserved a chance.

And so did I.