WHAT IF???

Chapter 60: Shadows of Compromise

Kirk, still panting, turned to Sam and murmured, "When I saw you and Mon crying in front of me, I couldn't stand the pain of seeing my two high school best friends like that."

A flicker of regret crossed his face. "I'm so sorry, Sam," he whispered, his voice heavy with remorse. "I was consumed by jealousy, and it made me do something unforgivable."

His eyes, once filled with fierce intensity, now reflected a deep, haunting guilt.

As Kirk lay there, lost in contemplation of his actions, the weight of his guilt pressing down on him, Nita approached. Her eyes were filled with concern and suspicion.

"Kirk, what did you do to Sam?" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.

Kirk looked up at her, his face pale. "Nita, I... I lost control," he stammered, his voice barely audible. "I did something terrible."

Kirk looked down, unable to meet Nita's eyes. "Nita, I have to tell you something," he began, his voice thick with remorse. "I... I forced Sam. And now, she's pregnant."

Nita's face fell, a mix of shock and disappointment washing over her. "Kirk, what you did is a crime," she said, her voice trembling with anger. "You violated her trust and her body. This is unforgivable."

Kirk's shoulders sagged, the weight of Nita's words pressing down on him. "I know," he whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. "I know."

Kirk's hands trembled as he spoke, his voice a strained whisper. "Nita, I'm scared. What if Sam uses this against me?"

Nita's eyes narrowed, her disappointment intensifying. "And you should be afraid, Kirk," she said coldly. "You deserve to face the consequences for what you've done."

Kirk's fear deepened, his mind racing with the possible repercussions. "But what if she tells everyone? My life will be ruined."

Nita shook her head, disappointment etched deeply into her features. "Kirk, you weren't thinking," she said, her voice heavy with sorrow. "How could you do something so reckless?"

Kirk's eyes filled with regret, but Nita continued, her tone firm. "You're going to be a father, Kirk. I won't allow our child to grow up with a father in jail."

Kirk's heart pounded, the reality of his actions sinking in. "Nita, I never meant for it to go this far," he murmured, but Nita cut him off.

"Intentions don't matter now, Kirk. We need to find a way to make this right, for everyone's sake."

Nita took a deep breath, steeling herself for the difficult conversation ahead. With a heavy heart, she dialed Sam's number, knowing they needed to arrange agreements despite the pain and turmoil.

"Sam," Nita began, her voice faltering slightly, "it's Nita. Can we talk? There are things we need to discuss."

Sam quickly moved to a more secluded area of the house, ensuring Mon wouldn't overhear their conversation. With a shaky breath, she answered Nita's call.

"Nita, what do you want?" Sam's voice was tinged with apprehension, unsure of what Nita's intentions were.

Nita hesitated for a moment before replying, "Sam, it's about Kirk. We need to discuss what happened between you two."

Sam's heart sank, the memories flooding back with a wave of dread. "What about Kirk?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nita took a deep breath, steeling herself for the difficult conversation ahead. "Sam, I already know what happened," she stated bluntly, her voice carrying a weight of certainty.

Sam's heart sank, but she remained composed. "Nita, I'm already working with my lawyer to file a case," she confessed, her voice determined.

Nita's tone turned calculating. "Sam, think about this carefully. Kirk only did what he did because he feels neglected as your husband," she suggested, her words laced with manipulation.

Sam felt a surge of anger, but she kept her composure. "I can't just let this go, Nita," she replied firmly.

Nita paused, then proposed a chilling offer. "How about this, Sam? I'll help you with your annulment proceedings if you agree to withdraw your case against Kirk," she proposed, her voice dripping with blackmail.

Sam's nerves prickled with unease as Nita continued her calculated coercion. "I know you need evidence for your annulment, Sam," Nita pressed on, her voice taking on a sinister edge. "And guess what? I have it."

Sam's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Nita's tone turned devilish. "I'm carrying Kirk's child, Sam," she revealed with a chilling smirk. "That's your ultimate proof. I can testify against him."

Sam's mind raced, her heart pounding with fear and desperation. "Why would I agree to this?" she demanded, her voice tinged with defiance.

Nita leaned in, her tone dripping with malice. "Because with Kirk's infidelity exposed, your reputation will be cleared," she hissed. "Your company's value might even soar once your name is untarnished. And most importantly, you'll have the chance to be with Mon freely, without any ties to Kirk."

Sam's head spun with the weight of Nita's words. Caught between her desire for justice and the tantalizing prospect of freedom, she struggled to find her voice.

Nita could sense Sam's confusion, her own resolve hardening as she pressed on. "Sam, think carefully about what you want," she urged, her voice firm but tinged with a hint of menace. "Do you have any concrete evidence of Kirk's abuse?"

Sam's mind raced, the weight of Nita's question settling heavily upon her. "I... I don't have any," she admitted reluctantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nita's eyes gleamed with triumph. "Then you're in a precarious position, aren't you?" she remarked with a cold smile. "Think about it, Sam. I'm offering you a way out, a chance to reclaim your life. A chance to finally be officially be with Mon, forever. But the choice is yours."

Mon caught Sam on the phone and inquired, "Who was that?"

Sam quickly ended the call, her heart racing. "Oh, it was just some company I was applying for a job with," she replied casually, hoping to deflect Mon's suspicion.

Changing the subject, Sam asked, "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, I am," Mon replied, though her concern lingered. "Jim and the others are already waiting."

Sam nodded, forcing a smile. "Great, let's go then."

As Mon and Sam traveled to meet their friends, Mon couldn't shake the feeling that something was weighing heavily on Sam's mind. Despite Sam's attempts to appear cheerful, Mon noticed the subtle signs of worry etched into Sam's features—the way she fidgeted with her hands, the distant look in her eyes.

Concern gnawed at Mon as she wondered what could be troubling Sam. He wanted to reach out, to ask her what was wrong, but he hesitated, unsure if she was ready to share her burden. Instead, he resolved to stay by her side, offering silent support until she was ready to confide in him.