Title: Falling Through Shadows

Chapter 21: Secrets Unraveled

Liam's POV

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the garden as Elara and I shared a moment of quiet connection. Yet beneath the surface, a storm of thoughts churned in my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about the situation with Betty. The pressure of her expectations and the weight of the responsibilities she claimed were slowly suffocating me.

As the afternoon wore on, we heard the sound of laughter approaching. It was my best friend, Jake, and I felt a mix of relief and apprehension. Jake always had a way of lifting my spirits, but today, the concern weighing on my heart made me hesitant to fully enjoy his presence.

"Hey, guys!" Jake called out as he entered the garden, his bright smile instantly lightening the atmosphere. "What's up?"

"Just enjoying the day," I replied, trying to muster a smile.

Elara smiled warmly at him, her voice cheerful despite her blindness. "Hi, Jake! Want to join us?"

"Absolutely! I brought some snacks." He pulled out a bag of chips and some drinks, plopping down beside us.

As we chatted, I noticed Jake's gaze drift toward me, a look of curiosity etched on his face. There was something in his demeanor that hinted at a deeper conversation waiting to unfold.

Eventually, Jake leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Hey, can I talk to you for a minute? It's kind of important."

"Sure, what's up?" I said, my heart racing with a mix of curiosity and unease. I glanced at Elara, who was busy arranging the snacks by touch, unaware of the tension brewing between us.

Once we were a few steps away, Jake's expression turned serious. "Look, I heard something that I think you need to know—about Betty."

My stomach dropped. "What do you mean?"

"Remember how I told you my older brother is dating Betty's best friend?" He paused, gauging my reaction. "Well, he overheard Betty talking to her about the pregnancy."

I felt my heart race. "What did she say?"

"Betty was bragging about how she could manipulate you into taking care of her and that she wasn't even sure if you were the father," Jake said, his voice low and urgent. "She was telling her friend that she's been playing you this whole time."

Shock washed over me, and I struggled to process what Jake was saying. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious, Liam. My brother said she was laughing about it, thinking it was all just a game to get you to support her financially. She doesn't care about you, man—just the money."

A wave of anger and betrayal surged through me. "But why? Why would she do this?"

"Because she knows you're a good guy and that you'd feel responsible. She thought she could take advantage of that," Jake explained, concern evident in his eyes. "I didn't want to believe it, but hearing her own words confirmed it."

My mind raced as I tried to wrap my head around this new information. I had trusted Betty, had wanted to do the right thing, but now it all felt like a twisted joke.

"Are you sure? What if she really is pregnant?" I questioned, desperation creeping into my voice.

"Honestly, I don't know. But from what I heard, it sounds like she's lying. You need to confront her, Liam. You can't let her manipulate you like this," Jake urged.

I nodded, feeling a mix of determination and dread. "You're right. I can't let her control me anymore."

As we returned to the blanket, my heart felt heavy with the weight of this revelation. I watched Elara laugh with Jake, her joy shining through even in this tense moment. The contrast between our carefree moment and the dark cloud of deceit surrounding Betty made me feel like I was living in two different worlds.