Hers to Love

Chapter 44

Maria stood frozen for a moment as she opened the door, still holding the ultrasound photo of the baby. Amir and his family were standing there, but the warmth she had once felt from them was nowhere to be found. His mother looked at her with soft but concernedi eyes, while Amir's expression was unreadable. He seemed distant, as if he didn't want to be there.

"Come in," Maria said quietly, stepping aside. She could feel the tension radiating from them as they entered her living room. Amir remained near the doorway, his arms crossed, eyes lowered.

"How... how was the check-up?" Amir's mother finally broke the silence, her voice hesitant.

Maria tried to smile, but it faltered. "Everything's fine. The baby's healthy." She looked at Amir, hoping to see some reaction, some joy, but he just nodded slightly, not even meeting her gaze.

Amir shifted uncomfortably, finally looking at her, but his face remained expressionless.

His mother shot him a glance, as if urging him to say more, but Maria had already made up her mind.

"I know this isn't what any of you wanted," she began, her voice trembling slightly but firm. "I know this baby wasn't planned, and I know how you must feel about it. That's why I've decided... you don't have to worry. I'll take care of everything. You can visit whenever you want, but I won't ask for anything from you."

Amir's mother gasped softly. "Maria, what are you saying? This is Amir's child too."

Maria nodded, her eyes filling with tears she was determined not to let fall. "I know, but I also know that... Amir doesn't want this. He's here because he feels like he has to be, not because he wants to be."

Amir finally looked at her, pain flickering in his eyes. "Maria, it's not that simple."

"It is for me," she cut him off, her voice stronger now. "I love this baby, and I will raise them with or without your help. But I won't force you into anything. You've made it clear where you stand."

Amir looked down, his silence confirming her words. His family exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond.

His mother stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Maria's arm. "Maria, please, we're all here for you and the baby."

"I appreciate that," Maria replied, her tone softening, "but this is something I need to do on my own. I'm not asking for anything—just... don't feel obligated. I'll be fine. The baby will be fine."

"This is our grandchild. You won't have to do this alone, Maria. But Amir cannot be with you. He must marry an Afghan woman and a Muslim. It is what it is. This is already haram." Amir's father said.

Maria smiled weakly, the ache in her chest familiar. It was exactly what she had expected, and somehow hearing it said aloud made the reality even harsher. She had prepared herself for this moment, but it still stung.

"I know," she whispered, her voice steady but filled with the sadness she could no longer hide. "I am not forcing myself on Amir because of the baby. If I wanted to keep this a secret from all of you, I could have. But I didn't. I want this child to know you—to know where he come from." She glanced at Amir, her expression softening. "If Amir wants to be in my baby's life, he can. But if he doesn't, it really doesn't matter to me anymore."

Amir, who had been silent and distant the entire time, suddenly snapped his head up. His eyes widened in shock, as if her words had jolted him awake. "That's my child too!" he protested, his voice shaking with something between anger and confusion.

Maria's weak smile vanished, replaced by a surge of the pain she had been holding in. Her eyes burned as she looked at him, recalling the hurtful question he had thrown at her only a day before.

"That's cute," Maria shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Yesterday, you asked me if you were even the father. That was your first response to me telling you about the baby."

Amir blinked, stunned, as if he hadn't expected her to bring that up in front of his family. His parents shifted uncomfortably, clearly caught off guard by the tension between them.

Maria took a deep breath, her anger rising. "Just so you know, I'm willing to do a paternity test to prove you wrong," she continued, her voice trembling with both hurt and fury. "But I shouldn't have to. You should have trusted me, Amir. You should've known."

Amir swallowed hard, guilt flashing across his face. "Maria, I... I didn't mean—"

"Didn't mean it?" Maria interrupted, her eyes narrowing. "You think that's something you can just take back? You think it's easy to forget that the first thing you did when I told you I was pregnant was doubt me?" Her voice broke, and she looked away, tears threatening to spill over.

Amir's father sighed deeply but remained silent, while his mother fidgeted with her hands, unsure of what to say.

"You all don't have to worry," Maria said, turning her gaze back to Amir's parents, her voice firmer now. "I'll raise this baby. I've already told you—if Amir wants to be involved, that's his choice. But I don't need him. And I don't need to beg for anything from any of you."

Amir looked down, unable to meet her eyes. He knew she was right, but the weight of his family's expectations and his own confusion had clouded everything.

His mother finally spoke, her voice soft but pleading. "Maria, we want to be in the baby's life. Please don't shut us out because of... everything else."

Maria nodded, her anger fading slightly at the genuine concern in his mother's voice. "I won't shut you out. This baby deserves to know their grandparents. But don't think for a second that I'll let Amir or anyone treat us like a burden or a mistake."

Amir clenched his jaw, guilt and frustration battling inside him. "I never said the baby was a mistake."

Maria gave him a hard look. "No, but your actions speak louder than words, Amir."

The room fell silent, the tension thick.