SHAPES UNSPOKEN

-33-

Happy Reading 🥰

Annabelle Innis

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday passed with no word from Sean—not even a text message or phone call. I've hurt him and I'm fully aware of what I did. He didn't deserve it. I should have told him, but I kept thinking with my fears and I didn't consider how he would feel. I put my own needs ahead of our relationship, and now I don't know where we stand or how I am supposed to fix it.

My mind keeps replaying the look on his face… the hurt in his eyes.

I can't beat myself up enough for hurting him this way, especially after he showed me nothing but love from the moment he walked into my life and we connected.

Today I decide to call him.

I know he's home, and I'm desperately hoping he answers.

I dial his number and wait. After the first four rings he finally answers.

“Annabelle,” he says calmly.

Never has he answered me this way since the very first time he texted me.

“Baby, I'm sorry. Can we talk today?” I whine softly.

There is silence on the phone before he speaks again.

“I have my brother over. He's travelling back tonight. Can it wait until tomorrow?”

He says it normally, as if nothing is wrong, and it scares the bejesus out of me. He is being way too calm for my liking.

“I miss you, baby. I'm sorry. I should have told you. Please don't be mad at me.”

I'm met with silence again and I don't like it.

“Sean,” I call out nervously. “Are you still there?”

“I'm here,” he says quietly.

My mind starts running on overdrive.

“Can I come over?”

“You don't need my permission. You seem to be doing everything on your own without discussing it with me.”

His words sting.

“I don't want to do this on my own. I need you, please.”

“Do you, Annabelle? Do you really?”

“Sean, I'm sorry. What else do you want me to say?”

“What are you sorry for, Annabelle?”

“I should have told you about our pregnancy.”

“So you know it's ours.”

“Baby, I know. Please… can we talk?”

“I've made my decision, Annabelle, and we will talk. I'm not avoiding you. I'm making decisions just as you have.”

My stomach twists.

“What does that mean, Sean?”

“I can't talk right now, but we will talk, Annabelle. You will see. I have to go.”

“Sean, please—”

“I have to go.”

The call ends.

I stand by the window holding the curtain, looking out at the streets below. My room only reminds me of a few nights back… of the way he held me… the way he loved me.

Now everything feels empty.

I feel furious with him.

I know I'm wrong, but he could at least talk to me.