Chapter 23

DELILAH

With a trembling hand, I reluctantly bring the phone to my ear, my heart pounding.

"Hello."

"Hi Delilah, it's Rhonda, your grand—sorry, Rhonda."

The correction stings, a reminder of the tangled web we've spun. I take a deep breath, my hand instinctively moving to my belly, feeling the faint fluttering within. It's a small comfort, knowing that amidst all the chaos, there's a tiny life growing inside me. This baby is the anchor that keeps me grounded, the beacon of hope that guides me through the storm.

"Hi, Rhonda. How are you?" I try to sound casual, but my voice betrays me, wavering slightly. The reality of our relationship is anything but simple, and it's hard to ignore. Even though she's already my grandmother, I'm about to make her one again. The layers of irony are almost too much to bear.

"I'm doing okay. Just wanted to check in on you. How are you holding up? Are you feeling alright?"

Her genuine concern tugs at my heartstrings. There's a part of me that longs for her comfort, for the warmth of a family I've never truly known.

"I'm... managing," I reply, not entirely sure if it's the truth. Balancing my emotions and getting everything ready for the baby feels like a daily high-wire act. I feel a little kick from Little Boba and I smile, knowing that my baby is safe inside me.

"Well, I received your message, and I thought it would be better to give you a call. I hope that's okay."

"It is. I'm sorry I was kinda bitchy," I tell her and mean it.

Although I am disappointed by her lack of communication, I understand that this situation is unfamiliar for her.

"Honey, you have nothing to apologize for. I know all about those hormones that come with pregnancy, so I understand if you're feeling a bit more sensitive right now." She slightly chuckles before she gets quiet.

Her laugh is comforting, a small reminder that despite everything, she's human too.

"Anyway, to answer your question. No, Wells doesn't know that Roy offered your friend the job. He's in Florida with Jonas."

My mind races.

They're still in Florida, or they went back to Florida? Is Wells opening a club there? Why would they stay? It makes no sense.

"Why?" I ask.

"You don't know?" she volleys, her voice filled with disbelief.

"Know what? I'm lost. Did Wells and Jonas not come home from Florida, or did they go back? Is that why he hasn't contacted me again?" Despite my best efforts to conceal the bite in my tone, it manages to slip through. The thought of being abandoned again, even for a short while, cuts deeper than I care to acknowledge.

"Jonas was arrested, Delilah." Rhonda's words hit me like a punch to the gut. "The morning after the dinner."

"What?" I gasp, my hand tightening around the phone.

"Claudia filed a police report, providing compelling evidence of Jonas physically assaulting her," Rhonda continues, her voice heavy with disbelief and sorrow. "Beat the heck out of her, really."

I pace the room, my mind racing. "No way," I whisper, trying to process the information. "There's no way he laid a hand on her."

"Authorities have filed charges against him for battery," Rhonda says, her tone grim. "Since we live in Illinois and the case is in Florida, he had to travel back for an interview with his attorney to prep for the trial."

I stop in my tracks, feeling a surge of anger and frustration. "This is insane," I mutter. "Why would she do this?"

"Wells has made it his mission to be by his brother's side through every step of the journey," Rhonda adds.

"Oh." I don't know what else to say, the words lingering in the air. Once again, the woman who birthed me is causing chaos in my life, but now she's hurting Jonas—my father. I may not have known him longer than a weekend, but I know there is no way he laid a hand on her. I can just tell he would never do something like that. My heart aches for him, for the injustice of it all.

"You haven't talked to your mother?" Rhonda's question feels like a dagger, reopening old wounds.

"No. I've not talked to her since the rehearsal dinner. I have no plans to. She's tried to call me and so has Drew, but I've blocked them. I'm done." The finality of my words surprises even me. I've spent so much of my life hoping she would change, but now I know better. I need to protect myself and my baby from her toxicity.

"I'm sorry to hear that. A mother should be a daughter's best friend, a sounding board per se. Especially now that you're about to become a mother yourself." Her words are like a balm to my soul, soothing yet highlighting what I've missed out on.

"Thank you, but I'm used to it. I guess since Wells didn't know about the job offer, I got upset for nothing. Once again, I apologize."

"Roy is looking for someone to help with more of the day-to-day tasks and that could be trained as interim COO in case things with Jonas go south."

I sit back down on the bed, adjusting my position to better cradle my growing belly.

"He was looking through resumes on the hospitality site and was impressed by your friend. I was the one who put two and two together. We thought if he's good enough to be your best friend and uncle to your baby, he'd be a good fit for Covington Hotels."

"He will do an amazing job. He only lost his job here because he came with me to the wedding."

Derek has always been there for me, sacrificing so much. The thought of him finding a stable position brings a sense of relief.

"Does that mean he's accepting... officially?"

"I told him to," I pause, thinking about how much I rely on Derek.

"We want you to come with him, Delilah. Derek must have offered, considering how close you two are. But this is my personal invitation. We'll cover everything," Rhonda assures me. "Please, come with him and get to know us. Be closer to us." Her plea is not lost on me.

I look out the window, imagining a life with the Covingtons. Could I really leave everything behind and start anew?

"It's selfish," she admits. "But we want to be here for you and the baby. Let us be your family."

The last gathering was a disaster, but could things be different?

"I know we're strangers," she says. "And our last gathering ended in chaos, but that's not our usual behavior. Wells' admission was shocking, and Jonas didn't take it well. They're fine now."

My mind races. This could be a chance for a fresh start, for Little Boba to have the family I never did.

"So I'm asking as a mother who wants her son to know his baby," Rhonda continues, her voice softening. "And her other son to know his adult daughter. Please, come with Derek."

I remain silent, my mind racing as I contemplate her words and the request she has made. I can do my marketing work from anywhere, and there's nothing else tying me down here—especially if Derek is leaving. The only thing holding me back from leaving is my own stubbornness. Rhonda is asking to know me, to help with the baby, and be our family. I want that for Little Boba. I want him or her to have everything I didn't. Even if it means putting my pride to the side.

"Okay," I whisper.

"You'll come!" she exclaims, and I can hear the joy in her voice.

"Yeah, I'll come." The decision feels monumental, a step toward something new and unknown.

"Okay, we'll get a three-bedroom set up and cover it all. Send us the links for the airline tickets and let us know the dates for the movers, and I'll handle all the arrangements for you."

I remain silent, trying to comprehend the magnitude of what I have just agreed to.

"Delilah?"

"Yeah."

"Thank you." Her gratitude is sincere, and for a moment, I feel a connection, a bridge being built between us.

I sit in silence, the echoes of our conversation playing on repeat in my mind. In Illinois, I will be starting from scratch, building a new life in a place where I have little familiarity. But it also means giving my child the opportunity to experience the warmth and love of a close-knit family, a privilege I never had. I think about my mother, the nightmare she's always been for me, and how I want to be different for my baby.

I slowly make my way to the window, my gaze fixed on the familiar skyline as tears well up in my eyes, blurring the view. This city has been my home for years, but it doesn't hold the same comfort it once did. I'm ready for a change, for a new beginning. I place my hand on my belly again, feeling a sense of resolve.

"Derek," I call, needing to talk to him about the decision. He emerges from the other room, concern etched on his face.

"Everything okay?" he asks.

"I talked to Rhonda. They want me to move to Illinois with you. She said they'll take care of everything—flights, movers, a place to stay. They want me and the baby to be closer, to be part of their family." My voice trembles with fear and excitement.

Derek's eyes widen in surprise. "Wow, that's a big step. What do you think?"

"I think it's what's best for the baby. I want Little Boba to have a family, to be surrounded by love and support. And honestly, I could use a fresh start too." I look at him, searching for his support.

"You were so convinced Wells was manipulating the situation. What changed your mind?"

I sigh, taking a deep breath before responding. "Rhonda assured me that Wells had no part in the offer. He's back in Florida, so he doesn't even know about your job or the invitation being extended to me."

"Why is he in Florida?" Derek asks.

"Claudia had Jonas arrested," I inform him, watching his reaction closely.

"Arrested? For what?" Derek shouts.

"For battery. Apparently, she showed up to the station looking like she went a few rounds in an MMA ring," I explain. "Wells is there to support him through the legal issues."

Derek nods slowly, processing the information. "That makes sense. I'm glad Wells is there for Jonas. Claudia is a real piece of work. Hopefully, Jonas gets out of it. No way did he hit her. I only met him a few times and can't see it."

"Same," I agree. "For now, let's focus on getting everything ready for Illinois. It's a big change, but I believe it's the right one for us and Little Boba."

He smiles, his usual reassuring self. "If that's what you want, I'm with you all the way. We'll figure it out together."

His words provide relief for my anxious mind. I nod, feeling a sense of determination. "Okay. Let's do it."

As we start planning the move, my mind drifts to what life in Illinois might be like. I imagine holidays with family, birthdays surrounded by people who care, and the baby growing up with grandparents who are present.

As I think about it, a wave of hope washes over me.

"I'm going to give you the life and family you deserve," I murmur, rubbing a hand over my belly.