The One She Needed

TWENTY FIVE

ALEX

She looked drained.

A shadow of the woman I once knew—whose vibrant smile and radiant eyes could light up an entire room. But I wasn't one to judge. With the dark circles under my own eyes, I was no different. If anything, I probably looked worse.

Neither of us had spoken yet, both lost in our own thoughts, trying to process the weight of everything that had happened. It had only been a few days since those cuffs were slapped onto my wrists, with barely an explanation as to why I was being arrested. Days. But it felt like years. And with each passing moment, I was more convinced that whatever luck I once had was slipping further from my grasp.

"Love will never be easy," she finally murmured into the phone, her voice steady yet distant. The glass barrier between us reflected the exhaustion on her face, the same exhaustion I felt deep in my bones. "Yet we humans keep at it—plunging headfirst into the abyss, hoping to be caught in the arms of something real. Some crash and never recover. Others fall again, but this time with a parachute. Just in case."

I exhaled sharply. "Then I must be crazy because every time I crashed, I never once thought about bringing a parachute."

She smiled faintly, a knowing look in her eyes. "You're far from crazy, son."

"Then why does it feel like every time I get close to being happy, something—someone—decides to rip it away?" I muttered, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. Or in this case, throws me in an orange jumpsuit, I added bitterly under my breath.

Instead of answering, she asked, "Do you know how pearls are made?"

I frowned. "I can't believe you're seriously talking about pearls right now."

She shrugged, unfazed. "You know I never say things without a reason."

That much was true. My mother had always been the type to observe everything quietly, to see what others missed. I sighed, waiting for her to continue.

She watched me closely, those sharp blue eyes scanning my face. "You've been through more than most people ever should. From your father, to the struggles of growing up, the stabbing, and now this. Maybe I'm wrong for thinking this way, but when an oyster is invaded by a grain of sand or some irritant, it reacts. It coats the irritation, layer by layer, until something beautiful forms—a pearl. In fact, pearl farmers intentionally insert grains of sand just to create them."

I stared at her, waiting for the point.

Her expression softened as she leaned in slightly. "Anything worth having will come with its challenges. You may not see it now, but this—what you're going through—is shaping you. Making you stronger. It's leading you to something precious."

Despite myself, I let out a small chuckle. "So what, this 'precious gem'—is that a metaphor for Raquel?"

She smiled, warmth breaking through the fatigue on her face. "I mean both her and the baby."

I froze.

My mouth opened, but no words came. She knew. She knew she was going to be a grandmother. I had planned to tell her, but I never got the chance before I was thrown in here.

"How did yo—?"

"She came by the house with Sam after we found out about your arrest. She told us." Her voice softened. "So... congratulations are in order."

"How is she?"

I had been holding that question in for days—staring at the blank ceiling at night, praying she was okay. The last thing I wanted was for her to be stressed because of me.

My mother sighed, gripping the phone a little tighter. "She's on edge. Shaken up. Her stepfather has made it nearly impossible for her to visit you, or else she would be here right now. Your sister checks in on her, but she won't be herself again until you're back in her arms. She's already hired the best lawyer in town to fight this."

I tensed. "The last thing I want is for her to get involved."

Mom smirked. "Raquel said you'd say that."

I raised a brow. "Did she?"

She nodded. "She told me to tell you something." She leaned in as if sharing a secret. "You go around being there for everyone in your life. It's time someone fought for you."

And just like that, I fell.

Fell into the arms of love before I could ever hit the ground.

***

"I'm just glad I can hear your voice," I mumbled into the payphone. Inmates were allowed one phone call, and there was only one person I wanted to hear on the other end.

I listened to her breathing, letting it soothe me. But then I heard a sniffle, and my stomach clenched.

"Are you okay? Crap—stupid question. Of course, you're not okay, you're in jail because of—"

"Baby," I interrupted gently, smiling despite myself. Just hearing her voice felt like relief. "Please don't cry."

She sniffed again. "It's my fault."

"Hey," I said firmly. "I don't ever want to hear you say that again. This isn't your fault."

"But if I hadn't dragged you into my screwed-up family—"

"Raquel." I exhaled sharply, closing my eyes. "I only started living the day you walked into my life wearing that trench coat."

I heard her giggle, and my heart swelled.

"I promise you, I'm doing everything in my power to get you out," she said, determination lacing her voice. "You'd be surprised who I have in my corner. Those assholes are going to regret ever messing with you."

I smirked. "You're starting to sound kinda scary, you know that?"

Silence. Then, in a low voice, she said, "I don't play nice when someone threatens my family."

I swallowed. Damn.

There was something about hearing her say that—hearing her claim me as hers—that made my chest tighten with pride.

"Just... don't overwork yourself," I murmured. "When I get out, I need you and our baby in tip-top shape."

She sighed. "Okay, baby."

Then, after a pause, she whispered, "Just promise me... no matter how tough it gets in there, you won't regret being with me. You won't walk away when this is all over."

She shouldn't have even needed to ask.

By now, she should have known there was nothing in this world that could ever make me let her go.

"I promise."