Chapter 29 Taking The Baby

• “I don’t know if I can do this, Brenda,” I whispered, my voice barely holding steady. “I left that life for a reason. And now, it feels like it’s all pulling me back in.”
• Brenda’s eyes softened, understanding washing over her face. “You don’t have to go back to that life,” she said quietly. “You’ve built something new here, Vera. This baby doesn’t mean you have to return to the past. You can still do this your way.”
• I shook my head, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. “You don’t understand. Ivan—he’s the father. I didn’t tell anyone why I left Canada, but it wasn’t just for a fresh start. I had to get away from him. Things between us... they weren’t good. I couldn’t stay.”