Serena's POV
It's been two weeks since Selena and I swapped back.
Eleven days since I returned to London, fresh off a proper reprimanding from my mother.
Ten days since Selena called with the worst news ever, that Killian asked her to invite me to their fifth-year anniversary dinner. At their house.
And one week since I started googling abortion clinics near me but backing out every time it came down to actually making an appointment. But yesterday, I finally had the courage to. Maybe it would help numb the pain and loss that came with swapping lives with Selena.
"Hey, girlie... here are your drugs," Chloe, my best friend, said as she stepped into my room. I looked up from my laptop and smiled at the sight of her outstretched hand holding my medication. I sat up, grabbed the glass of water on my nightstand, took the pills from her, and swallowed them.
"Thank you," I said—and I meant it in more ways than one. She's been a solid rock since I came back. One of the most important people in my life. I love her so much.
"Are you sure you wanna do this?" she asked gently, sitting on the edge of my bed. She picked up my hands and held them in hers, her eyes filled with concern.
"Chloe, there's nothing else I can do. I can't keep the child. How do I explain to people that my baby's father is my sister's husband?" I whispered.
I didn't want to abort the baby... but what choice did I have?
"What happened to you was horrible. You were manipulated by your sister—whom, by the way, I still don't like. She used your kindness against you," she said, her voice sharp with anger.
Chloe's never met Selena, but she's always said she doesn't like her spirit. Says it irks her.
"I know. But I've made my decision. I have an appointment for tomorrow. I think it's better not to bring my child into this mess," I murmured, pulling my hands away and laying my head in her lap.
Without hesitation, she began running her fingers through my hair.
"I understand. I don't like it... but I'll support you anyway," she whispered. She never judged me. Never criticized me. She just held me—and cursed out my sister on my behalf.
"Do you think I'd be a good mother?" I asked, lifting my head to look at her. That question keeps haunting me.
"You're a good person, Serena. I know you'd be an even better mother," she said softly, cupping my face and pressing a kiss to my temple.
"I wish I never agreed to that swap," I sobbed. This whole thing is tearing me apart. Mentally. Emotionally.
If not for her... I'd have gone off the rails by now.
"Oh, shhh... what's done is done. Don't dwell on it. I'll always be here for you, no matter what," she said, shaking her head gently and pulling me into a warm hug.
"I know. And I love you for it," I whispered, smiling through the tears.
My love...
"I love you too, sexy," she teased, and we both laughed. Chloe's a lesbian, and she flirts playfully with me all the time.
"So... the dinner's next week. What are you wearing? When are you going? Do you want me to come as your plus-one?" she asked, firing off questions like a machine gun.
"Okay, which one do you want me to answer first?" I laughed, my mood lifting for the first time in days.
"Whichever you prefer," she shrugged.
"Well... first, I have no clue what I'm wearing yet, but I'll figure something out," I said with a soft smile. "Second, I'm going a day before so I can settle in. And third—no, you don't need to come. Besides, you've got work."
"I can take a few days off. It's no big deal," she shrugged again. And I knew, she absolutely would if I asked her to.
"No need, I'll be fine. My parents will be there too," I said, trying to sound confident. But the truth? I wasn't so sure.
"Okay. If you say so. But if you need me, I'm just a call away. Say the word, and I'll be on the next flight to America. Ugh," she added, her face twisting in disgust.
Chloe hates America. Don't ask me why—I never asked her.
"Ha! Ha!, okay," I chuckled, my eyes glimmering with laughter for the first time in a while.
The sound of our laughter died down, and the room was filled with a comfortable silence. My head rested on Chloe's legs while her hands ran gently through my hair. I was almost drifting off to sleep until she spoke again—breaking the silence and, honestly, breaking my heart.
"Do you still miss him?" she asked.
She didn't have to say who. Killian. Of course I miss him. But I'll never admit that to anybody.
"Who?" I played dumb, hoping she'd let it go.
"Stop playing dumb with me. You know who I'm talking about," she said, rolling her eyes and calling my bluff immediately.
"I don't miss him. He's not mine to miss," I replied, and I meant that part. Even though I feel something for him, he's not mine—and he never will be. I can't bring myself to do something that cruel to my sister, no matter how I feel.
But her mentioning him cracked something open. Just like that, the Pandora's box I'd kept tightly sealed flew open, and a wave of emotions rushed through me. He's not yours, stop thinking about him, I told myself, trying to cut off the thoughts before they could settle and drown me again.
"Okay. You'll be fine then," Chloe finally said. She sounded casual, maybe even convinced—but I knew she didn't believe me. And honestly?
Even I don't believe myself.