Tiffany’s head was thrown into a knot. She could not fathom whatever was in Jackson’s mind. Sure, she wanted to be successful in her career, but she never thought of giving up her baby for that. When she heard about her pregnancy, the emotion that overwhelmed her was genuine, surprised jubilance. Ever since she saw how adorable Smore was, she had wanted a child of her own.
Tiffany planned to request maternity leave when she was near her delivery date, then resume working after that leave expired. Never had the thought of abortion crossed her mind.
“No. I’m not giving up on the baby. I don’t even think its gonna affect my work in any way, either,” she said.
Jackson was quiet for a beat before replying, “Listen to me. Get an abortion.”
That was when Tiffany understood that her perspective was never included in Jackson’s consideration.
The realization chilled her. “Why? Just, why? Can you at least give me a reason? You can’t—you can’t just tell me to let go of a kid for no frickin’ reason! If you don’t want us to get married, fine, we won’t. I have a job, and I can raise the child myself. I don’t need you for that!”
Jackson massaged his forehead before admitting, “I went to see Alejandro Smith this morning and returned that brooch.”
He did not elaborate further. He had hoped that she understood the implication. Some things were always better left unspoken in direct terms.
Tiffany, however, was utterly baffled. “Oh, so you talked to him. And gave him his brooch. And then what? What’s this got to do with the baby—no. You can’t possibly think me and him got together, and now he’s the father?”
Jackson said nothing. It was the silence of consent.
Tiffany was so infuriated that she laughed. “Oh, I get it. I get it now. Hey, you know, you and me? We never got back together, after all. I’m keeping this baby, Jackson. I’m going to bring it to this world, and I’m going to raise it myself, and I can do it all on my own. Now, if you’ve got nothing else to say, I’ll hang up. I’m working, you know. I don’t have the luxury of idle time like yours.”
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