Elena thought her life had already hit rock bottom when her fiancé disappeared upon learning she was pregnant. But everything changed when her boss ridiculed her in front of her colleagues, and the truth about her child’s father emerged.
Three months ago, my entire world crumbled. I’m not exaggerating.
I was 27, engaged to a man I believed I’d share my life with, and completely unaware of how quickly dreams can shatter.
I’ll never forget Ethan’s stunned expression when I told him I was pregnant.
“Are you serious?” he asked in a cold, low voice.
I nodded, trying to smile through my nerves. “We’re going to be parents.”
But instead of excitement, he muttered something about needing space to think and walked out the door—never to return.
I didn’t tell anyone. Not my coworkers, not even my family.
How could I?
My father owned the company where I worked. My sister Rebecca managed another branch, and her husband, Adam, was my boss.
Everyone expected me to have the perfect life. But the truth about the baby’s father felt like a time bomb. I couldn’t take that risk. So, I moved out of my parents’ home, determined to keep my secret.
My father handed control of the business to Rebecca and Adam while he and my mother enjoyed their lavish travels.
But secrets always have a way of surfacing.
And mine exploded in the most humiliating way possible.
I was standing in the middle of a team meeting when Adam, my boss and brother-in-law, decided to make a spectacle of my pregnancy.
“So, Elena,” he began, leaning back smugly. “Congratulations! I hear you’re pregnant. Finally settling down, huh? That’s great.”
A few colleagues chuckled uncomfortably. My face flushed as every eye turned toward me.
Adam added, smacking the table as if he’d just delivered the joke of the century, “I guess now you’ll have to figure out who the father is, right?”
He wasn’t done.
“But even if you don’t, no worries,” he continued with a smirk. “Single mothers get good benefits. Maybe I should give you a $1,000 raise? What do you all think?”
The room fell silent. I clenched my fists, swallowing tears and the lump in my throat.
“The baby’s father said he loved me more than his own life,” I managed to say quietly. “But he left the moment he found out.”
Adam’s grin widened. “Ah, men. Typical, right?”
Just as I was about to run from the room, the conference doors burst open.
A young woman, no older than 22 or 23, entered. She was holding a baby in her arms, her tear-streaked face pale but determined.
Behind her were my father and Rebecca.
I instinctively adjusted my coat, tightening it around my waist, though my pregnancy wasn’t yet obvious.
My father’s voice rang out, firm and cold. “No one leaves. Everyone needs to see and hear this.”
Adam’s smug smile vanished instantly.
“Rebecca,” he muttered, his voice now low. “What’s going on?”
“What’s going on, Adam?” Rebecca’s tone was icy. “Is it because your lies have finally caught up to you?”
I stared at the young woman holding the baby. My stomach knotted with sudden recognition.
“Lila?” I whispered.
Lila had been Rebecca’s assistant. I’d met her briefly at a family dinner and a few times at work. She had always seemed quiet and shy. But today, she looked determined despite her tears.
Rebecca crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “I know why Lila quit. I know why you left our parents’ house. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? That I’d believe your story about Ethan?”
My throat went dry, and my heart raced.
“Elena, I found your journal. You didn’t pack it when you left—it was still on your nightstand.”
Silence filled the room.
Rebecca continued, her voice trembling with fury. “Isn’t Adam the father of your baby?”
The room erupted into whispers. My knees nearly gave out.
Rebecca wasn’t finished. “And Adam is also the father of her baby,” she added, gesturing to Lila.
Lila stepped forward, clutching her child protectively. Adam’s face turned ashen.
“Rebecca… I can explain,” he stammered.
Rebecca’s voice was sharp. “No. You lied to me for years. You betrayed me. You broke my trust. We’re finished, Adam. You’re dead to me.”
My father stepped forward, his face steely. “I’ve heard enough. You’re fired, Adam. Effective immediately. Pack your things and leave.”
Adam tried to argue, but my father silenced him with a wave of his hand.
“And you’ll pay child support for both children,” he added. “I’ll make sure of it.”
People filed out of the room, whispering about the scandal. I stood frozen, unsure of what to do, until my father approached me.
“Elena,” he said gently. “Why didn’t you come to me?”
Tears welled up as I stared at the floor. “I didn’t want to ruin Rebecca’s life. And I was scared of how you’d react.”
He shook his head. “My dear, this isn’t your fault. Adam manipulated you, just like he did the rest of us. You’re my daughter, and I’ll always be here for you.”
I was speechless, overwhelmed.
Rebecca stepped closer, her face flushed and her eyes hard. For a moment, I thought she might slap me. Instead, she pulled me into a hug.
“I’m furious, Elena,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “But not at you. Adam’s the one who destroyed everything. We’ll get through this together.”
Her words shattered something in me, and I finally let the tears fall.
To be honest, it was a mistake. Just one night at the Christmas party when I was drunk. I didn’t even know how it happened. Ethan fled when I tried to pin it on him.
“I’m here for you,” Rebecca said. “We’ll take Adam for everything he’s worth. And if you want, we can raise this baby together.”
A week later, my phone rang.
“Elena,” my father said. “I need someone trustworthy to replace Adam. You’ve been with the company for five years—you know the team. Would you consider taking over as interim director?”
I was stunned. “Dad, are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” he replied. “I trust you completely. Think it over, but I’ll need an answer soon.”
Of course, my answer was yes.
Taking over Adam’s role wasn’t easy, but I held my head high every day I walked into that office.
And the best part?
My child will grow up knowing their mother never gave up, and that they have a family who loves them unconditionally.
As for Adam? He’s part of the past—both at work and in our lives.
Rebecca and I? Slowly but surely, we’re rebuilding our relationship. She may never forgive Adam, but she’s starting to forgive me.
And Ethan? I don’t know what happened to him. But I do know one thing: I’m going to embrace motherhood as a single mom, raising my child with love and resilience.