C73 Words Cannot Be Taken Back

Kelvin nodded in agreement. “We will stand by you, no matter what.” Sarah listened silently, her arms still gently holding Monica. Her expression tightened as she processed everything. So many consequences… all tied to one person. Ben. But even as she thought that, another realization followed. If she went after Ben openly, Monica would lose her father figure. The family would break apart completely.

Before she could speak, Samantha suddenly shook her head. “No,” she said firmly. Both Kelvin and Tracy looked at her in surprise.

Samantha continued, her voice steadier now. “You don’t have to do that. What happened in the past… is the past.”

She looked down briefly at Monica.

“We already have a daughter together. Monica needs both parents. A family. That matters more.” Kelvin frowned slightly. “But you understand what you are walking into, don’t you? That man… he is dangerous.”

Samantha nodded slowly. “Yes. I understand.” Her voice lowered. “But leaving him would only make things worse. He would not accept it. He might even target all of you.” She looked at Sarah for a brief moment. “I don’t want Monica to grow up in chaos. I would rather stay and keep her safe from inside the situation than leave and become a target outside of it.” The table fell silent again.

This time, it wasn’t disagreement, it was understanding mixed with helplessness. Kelvin finally exhaled deeply. “I’m sorry… I never wanted this life for you.” Tracy nodded slowly, wiping her eyes. “We failed to protect you when we should have.” Samantha shook her head. “No. Please don’t say that.”

But none of them could escape the truth hanging over the table. Eventually, the dinner ended without laughter or warmth. Everyone went to their rooms quietly, each carrying their own thoughts.

Later that night, Sarah sat alone in her room.

Monica was asleep in a small crib nearby, breathing softly. Seeing Samantha’s sadness. She decided to sleep with Monica, Samantha agreed since Monica was quiet whenever Sarah took her. Sarah picked up her phone. Chris’s message was still unanswered from earlier.

She hesitated for a moment, then typed:

“It’s fine. I already know the truth. My parents told me everything.” She sent it. Chris had a lot in his mind as he was trying to find a nice way to explain to Mike what happened that night. His mind had been racing, and guilt had been building all day.

He began typing rapidly, not realizing what he was doing. “Brother, you were right. That night at the hotel after I collapsed, the drug in my body was still active. Sarah and I ended up in the same room. When I woke up the next morning… I realized I had taken her first time, and and so was mine, when i went to the bathroom she sneaked out and left. That’s why I feel indebted to her.” He hit send. Then he froze.

A second later, realization hit him like a wave. Wrong chat. His heart dropped. How come i sent it to the group. Now even Alicia knows what happened, my first time going to someone i don't know, panic flashed him. He waited for Mike's reply but nothing came they haven't seen it. At the same time he regretted writing that message.

He thought for a while and decided to tell Sarah that he failed to keep their secret. “My angel, I made a mistake. I was talking to my brother. Please don’t misunderstand. He kept pushing me and I ended up telling him things I shouldn’t have. But I trust him. Please don’t be angry.”

Sarah stared at her screen. She wasn’t in a good mood to begin with. For a long moment, she didn’t move. Then her fingers tightened. Her chest felt heavy not just from anger, but from disappointment. She typed slowly “I trusted you with something important. And you broke it.” "How will i face them now?" She click send. Then added one final message. “Good night.” She turned her phone off. Chris sat on his bed, staring at the screen as the messages came. He buried his face in his hands. “I messed up…” he whispered.

Across town, At the Mooney residence, dinner had been delayed. Mark had returned late from work and went straight to his study, and Alicia had not come home yet. The table remained set, food untouched, as her parents waited quietly. Peter glanced at the clock. “She should be back by now,” he said slowly.

Georgia nodded. “She’s never this late.”

But neither of them knew that their granddaughter was still entangled in plans, secrets, and decisions far bigger than a simple dinner waiting at home. And none of them realized that one mistake tonight had just changed the balance of trust between every person involved.

Alicia returned home late that evening, exhausted from the long day. Her stomach growled the moment she stepped through the gate, reminding her that she had not eaten since lunch. Ironically, she had spent most of her energy cooking a full meal for others, yet she hadn’t even tasted a bite of it herself.

As she entered the house, she immediately noticed something unusual. Dinner was not ready. She frowned slightly and called out, “Grandpa? Grandma? Where’s my father? I’m starving. Why haven’t we eaten yet?” Peter, sitting in the living room, simply pointed toward the study without saying a word.

Alicia sighed, slipped off her shoes at the door, and walked over to her grandfather first. She sat down beside him casually, leaning back as if the weight of the day had finally caught up with her. Soon she began talking about everything that had happened how busy work was, how tiring the promotions had made everyone, and how strange the atmosphere at the office had become. She spoke freely, but carefully avoided mentioning that she had cooked dinner at the Smith residence.

In her mind, there was a simple fear. If they knew, they would expect her to do it for them as well. And she did not plan on becoming anyone’s permanent chef. While she spoke, she suddenly remembered something she had been thinking about all day. Love.

She turned slightly toward Georgia, her grandmother, and asked quietly, “Grandma… can I ask you something?”