Fatima's POV
|The Next Day|
The next morning, I woke up with a weight on my chest that hadn't lifted since last night. After the bomb Zac dropped on me at dinner, everything felt like it was in pieces. I had barely slept, my mind racing with all the questions I still didn't have answers to. Every time I closed my eyes, I'd see his face, hear his voice telling me that Sabrina was pregnant.
I turned over in bed, careful not to wake Kolby, who was still curled up beside me. Zac was already gone, and part of me was relieved. I needed space. I needed time to process everything, but how? How was I supposed to wrap my head around this, when all I wanted to do was run?
I stared up at the ceiling, my chest tight with emotions I couldn't even name. I didn't want to be in Atlanta anymore. Being here felt suffocating. The city that was supposed to be a reunion for us, a fresh start, now felt tainted by everything Zac had told me. All I wanted was to go home to be alone, to have space to think. But Kolby was here, and I couldn't leave her. I couldn't just pack up and go without her, especially since Zac had to work.
I sighed, running my hand through my hair as frustration bubbled up. I couldn't even fall apart the way I needed to because I had to think about Kolby. I had to be strong for her, no matter how lost I felt inside. But the thought of staying here, pretending like everything was okay while I was still reeling, made me feel trapped.
How do I even begin to process this?
I wanted to trust Zac, to believe him when he said he wanted us, but my heart was in a million pieces. Every time I thought about Sabrina, about the baby, it felt like another piece broke off. I wasn't ready to deal with this, but I had no choice. It was here, right in front of me, and I couldn't run from it. But I couldn't stay here either, not like this.
I pulled the blanket tighter around Kolby, watching her sleep peacefully. She was the only thing keeping me grounded right now. I'd have to find a way to push through this, for her. But I had no idea what to do next or where Zac and I could possibly go from here.
As Zac walked into the room, I could smell the food before I even saw it. He had my favorite breakfast from the little café down the street the one I always made a point to visit when we were in Atlanta. Normally, the thought of it would make me smile, but today, it just felt like a distraction from everything that was weighing on me.
"I thought I'd bring you food," Zac said, setting the bag on the table. "You should eat something. You've gotta be hungry, you barely touched your food last night, and we both know how you don't play about your food."
He gave me a small, hopeful smile, but I couldn't meet his eyes. I thanked him quietly, but the truth was, I couldn't even think about eating.
My stomach was in knots, and my mind was spinning in a million directions. How could I eat when I felt like I didn't even know what my next step was?
I sat up in bed, glancing at Kolby, who was still asleep. Her peaceful face was the only thing keeping me grounded right now. I took a deep breath, knowing what I had to say, even though I wasn't sure how Zac would take it.
"Zac," I started, my voice steady but quiet. "I think I'm going to go back home to L.A."
His face fell slightly, the smile fading as he sat down beside me, listening. I continued, not giving him time to respond yet.
"I'll drop Peanut off to Sabrina," I added, keeping my tone as neutral as I could. "And I'll talk to her."
The room went still for a moment. I could feel Zac's eyes on me, but I didn't look at him. I couldn't. My hands rested in my lap, and I focused on keeping my breathing steady.
