meeting Aaron Liam again after years

Margaret's POV:

After sone hours,I dialed Jessie's number repeatedly, but she remained elusive. I hadn't told Jessie,that i already made my decision, yet Jessie had the audacity to announce it before I could even discuss it with her. It felt like a betrayal.

As night fell, Lewis still hadn't returned home. I lay on the couch, sleep eluding me. The weight of my emotions pressed down, and I pretended to be fine, even though I was far from it.

Seven months pregnant and mostly alone, I longed for Lewis's presence. He rarely called, leaving me to navigate this challenging time by myself. Thankfully, my close friends—Sera, Sophia, Tim, and Blake—checked in on me, despite my reluctance to attend their gatherings.

I harbored secrets, ones I couldn't share with my friends. Lewis had extracted promises from me, and I clung to them even as my heart ached.

Lewis's father occasionally called, a comforting presence. His mother, however, remained distant. My own father seemed oblivious to whether I was alive or not.

I found myself awaken from the couch in the morning while I was still waiting for lewis,however he never came home.

After breakfast and house chores, I sat outside, watching the flowers sway in the breeze. Boredom gnawed at me, and I decided to visit Lewis's parents.

I dressed in a long floral gown with my black shades,my hair tied back, and a scarf covering my head,nose and neck, leaving only my eyes visible. As I stepped out, I was about to open my car and drive out but I noticed Jessie driving in.

She emerged from her car after she packed, wearing denim shorts and a pink crop top, holding a file. Her smile was blinding.

"Margaret," she greeted, waving enthusiastically as she came out from her car.

"Jessie, or should I say Ariana?" I responded, my expression stern.

"Ariana now," she corrected, arms open for a hug.

I didn't reciprocate. Instead, I confronted her directly, devoid of any warmth or pretense.

I confronted her, my voice laced with disbelief. "Why would you announce that on radio when I haven't even made up my mind? Can you imagine my shock when I heard it unexpectedly?"

Her smile wavered, turning into a puzzled frown. "What are you talking about? I was under the impression you had decided. Lewis told me you were set on your decision. Didn't he mention he'd be informing me?" she inquired.

Lewis, that rascal,what the hell!. I had confided in him, yet he never said a word about telling Jessie—or was it Ariana?

With a forced chuckle, I pressed a hand to my forehead. "Silly me, it must have slipped my mind. We did discuss it that night, after all. It's probably the pregnancy ," I fibbed.

Her arms opened wide, her smile returning. "So, you do remember! How about that hug now?" she beamed.

I returned the smile with a forced smile and embraced her after a brief hesitation.

She then produced a document from the file she was carrying.

"What's this?" I asked as she handed it over,looking at the document.That was when I discovered that it was a contract.

"This formalizes your leave from the group for five years. I need your signature," she explained, still smiling.

"Jessie or Ariana?" I questioned, holding the document.

"Just Ariana," she clarified.

"But it doesn't change anything. Jessie is Ariana, and Ariana is Jessie. You know I'm stepping away, why the need for a contract?" I pressed.

"Well, it's to make it official. Plus, my father insists on it," she replied.

I gave her a long look, then the document another once-over before signing it and handing it back.

She filed it away neatly and changed the subject. "So, Margaret, where are you going to?"

"Lewis's parents," I answered.

"No need to drive yourself. Come on, hop in. I'll take you there," she offered cheerfully.

************************************

Gazing out the window, I was lost in thought as Jessie navigated the car through the city streets.

"Jessie," I finally broke the silence.

She glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "You mean Ariana, right? What's up?"

"Change of plans. Let's skip Lewis's parents. Take me to the amusement park instead," I requested, my voice weary.

Her brow furrowed in curiosity. "Why there?"

"Just... please," I urged.

Without another word, Jessie obliged and drove me to the park before taking her leave.

I sat on a bench, a silent observer amidst the laughter and joy of families and children. I hoped for solace, but the festive atmosphere only deepened my loneliness.

As evening approached, I wrapped my scarf tighter and slipped on my shades, seeking anonymity as I left the park.

On a whim, I decided to catch a movie and boarded a bus to the nearest cinema. The marquee displayed an intriguing title, and despite the hassle, I purchased a ticket.

Inside the darkened theater, I whispered apologies as I made my way to my seat. Settling in, I removed my shades for a clearer view but kept the scarf over my nose, not wanting to take any chances.

A sudden twinge in my abdomen drew my hand instinctively. "What's wrong, Zara?" I murmured to the unborn life within me as the film started.

It was a tragicomic romance, and as I munched on popcorn, my thoughts drifted to Sera Smith. Someday, I'd see her name in lights.

I could sense the man next to me staring, his curiosity piqued by my covered face. Did he recognize me as Margaret from JessieM? Or has he never seen a pregnant lady?.

His hand reached out, daring to unveil me. I slapped it away. "Now,That's incredibly rude!" I exclaimed, turning to confront him.

But my words caught in my throat as I saw the person. It was Aaron Liam.

"Margaret?" he called out, recognition dawning in his eyes.

My heart raced. Aaron was the last person who should discover my secret. He didn't even know about my marriage to Lewis.