Lisa watched Benita for a moment longer, her gaze unreadable.
Realizing Benita wasn't ready to listen to her, she turned without another word, and walked out, the sound of the door clicking shut echoing in the silence.
Benita stood frozen in the doorway, her mind racing to process what had just happened.
The words “I’m pregnant, and it’s for Kelvin” played on a loop in her head, louder and louder until they became unbearable.
Her legs gave out, and she sank to the floor, hot tears streaming down her face. Her chest heaved with silent sobs that soon turned into uncontrollable cries.
Adrian brows furrowed in concern as he knelt beside her. “Benita? Are you okay?”
She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. The sobs only grew louder, her shoulders shaking as she buried her face in her hands.
“Hey, come on,” Adrian said softly, his tone gentler now. “Talk to me. It's fine, okay?”
But the tears wouldn’t stop.
Adrian sighed, his concern shifting into frustration. “Benita, seriously? Are you crying over that jerk again?”
Her head snapped up, her tear-streaked face twisting in disbelief. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me,” he said, standing up and running a hand through his hair. “Kelvin doesn’t deserve your tears. He’s the loser here, not you.”
“Do you think I don’t know that?” she shot back, her voice trembling as she wiped her face with the back of her hand.
“Then why are you crying like this?” Adrian’s voice rose slightly, irritation creeping in. “You’re letting him get to you—again! After everything he did, you’re still giving him power over you.”
Benita stared at him, her expression a mix of hurt and anger. “Do you think I’m crying because I still love him?”
Adrian froze, her words catching him off guard. He opened his mouth to respond but hesitated. Finally, he muttered, “I don’t know. Do you?”
Her eyes widened in shock. “What?”
“Yes!” Adrian blurted out, throwing his hands in the air. “Because it looks like you do. Who cries like this over an ex who cheated on them with their best friend? And now he’s having a baby with her? You should be furious, Benita—not heartbroken!”
Her jaw dropped. “You think I want to feel this way? You think I enjoy crying over him?”
“I don’t know, Benita!” Adrian exclaimed, pacing the room. “But you’re sitting here acting like he’s worth this breakdown, and it’s driving me insane.”
“Insane?” she repeated, her voice shaking with rage. “You think I’m being insensitive for crying? Do you even understand how I feel right now?”
Adrian stopped pacing and turned to her, his face hard. “Yes, I do. And honestly? It feels like you’re letting him win. Every tear you shed for that jerk is a victory for him. And it’s painful to watch you do this to yourself.”
The room fell silent, the tension between them palpable.
Finally, Benita broke the silence, her voice trembling with anger. “Get out.”
Adrian blinked, startled. “What?”
Her hand shot out, pointing to the door. “Out. Leave. Now.”
“Benita…” His voice softened, his earlier frustration giving way to regret.
“Out!” she repeated, her voice breaking.
Adrian stared at her for a moment, his jaw clenching. Then, with a resigned sigh, he turned and walked into the bedroom.
Benita stood still, her body trembling as she listened to him gather his things. Moments later, he emerged, without looking at her as he passed, his footsteps heavy.
When the door closed behind him, the sound was deafening.
As the apartment fell into silence, Benita crumpled back to the floor. This time, the sobs came harder, louder, echoing through the emptiness.
She cried until her chest ached, her throat raw, and her mind exhausted. Every word Adrian had said played back in her head, mixing with Lisa’s betrayal and Kelvin’s lingering shadow.
She didn’t know how long she sat there, but when her tears finally slowed, she stared blankly at the wall, feeling hollow.
Everything hurt—her heart, her pride, her trust.
And yet, beneath the pain, there was something else. Adrian’s words lingered, cutting through her despair like a stubborn truth she didn’t want to admit.
Was he right? Was she letting Kelvin win?
But before she could answer that question, exhaustion claimed her, and she fell asleep on the floor, the echoes of her sobs still hanging in the air.