Jill and Thalia were curled up in Thalia's room that evening, laptop balanced between them as a movie played. They laughed loudly, tossing popcorn at each other like kids, juice bottles on the floor, a blanket kicked off somewhere between giggles. It was warm — the kind of moment Thalia hadn't felt in a long time. A real friend. A sister again.
Then Thalia suddenly gasped, sitting upright.
"Oh shoot, it's getting late already!"
Jill pouted. "Then tell your boss you're not coming today. You'll go very early tomorrow."
Thalia frowned. "I doubt he'll agree."
"Try. Better give me the phone." Jill grinned mischievously.
Thalia hesitated but remembered Vicious once saved his number with the name "lovie". Embarrassed, she edited it quickly to Boss, handed her phone over, and Jill hit call on speaker.
"Hello sir," Jill said, pretending to be Thalia. "I'm sorry, I can't make it today. I'll be back very early tomorrow."
Vicious' voice came through immediately, deep and calm. "What's wrong? Can I come pick you up?"
"No," Jill replied quickly.
A small pause — almost hurt.
"Are you still mad at me?"
"Yeah… maybe. Bye." Jill ended the call before Thalia could stop her, then burst out laughing and jumped on the bed. Thalia joined her, both squealing like teenagers who got away with trouble.
But miles away at the mafia lounge, Vicious stared at his phone confused, swirling his drink. Fernandez leaned back with a smirk. "She's fiery. I like her. Give her time."
Martinez scoffed. "What's there to fall for in that girl?"
"A lot," Vicious shot back without hesitation. "She's kind. Sweet. She gives me peace something I've never had. She's the one. Sometimes I feel she bewitched me."
Mario chuckled. "You're in love and you can't even hide it."
Back at home that night, Thalia's family gathered for dinner. They had questions — school, life, work. She answered as brightly as she could, pretending everything was perfect. Afterward, she and Jill cleaned up together. Later she handed her father the money she owed. He looked at her with pride.
"Thank you, Dad, for always supporting me."
"I love you, my girl." He hugged her. "Are things okay with you now?"
Thalia smiled a lie tucked quietly beneath it. "Yes."
The next morning, Jill dressed for work while Thalia trailed behind her. At the gate, Thalia raised a hand to stop a cab, but Jill tugged her back.
"No. Hospital first. Check up. After everything you've been through, I won't let you go without one."
Thalia blinked. "Really? Hospital? Now?"
"Yes. And we're using my car." Jill crossed her arms proudly.
Thalia's eyes widened in awe. "You have your own car?"
Jill grinned. "Of course."
They drove to the hospital. Inside, they spotted Leo the doctor and greeted him warmly. Jill teased, "Better treat us well or I'll steal your position."
Leo laughed. "You can try."
They talked, bantered, and checked Thalia's vitals. Everything was normal. But when Jill stepped out briefly, Thalia searched for her and was directed to another ward.
She entered and froze.
Matt.
A gasp ripped softly from her throat. Jill rushed behind her. "You… know him?"
Tears welled instantly, unstoppable. Thalia walked to his bedside, voice cracking. "Matt… I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen."
He reached weakly toward her, wanting to calm her, but Jill gently pulled Thalia out, hugging her until she steadied. Between sniffles, Thalia told her everything how she and Matt grew close, how trouble followed, how he got hurt because of her. Jill clenched her jaw.
"That bastard… he needs to be taught a lesson," she muttered. But then softened. "He's alive. He'll recover. Don't blame yourself too much."
When Thalia returned to the ward, Matt smiled weakly and whispered, "It's not your fault." She held him carefully, then left with Jill who offered to drive her home.
Thalia shook her head. "I just need some air."
She took a cab alone, quiet the whole ride. At home, she sat on her bed, tears slipping silently. From her bag, she pulled out an envelope a test result she hadn't processed yet a pregnancy report
Just then the door opened Vicious walked in, happy to see her. But his eyes caught the envelope on the bed. Curiosity darkened into suspicion. He picked it up.
Pregnancy. Two weeks. Thalia's name printed boldly.
He froze.
"What…?" His voice cracked, low and stunned.
He walked out slowly, sat in the living room, staring at the paper.