Chapter 3 WHAT HELL NO!!!

Viva stood outside her mother's house, her heart pounding against her ribs. The evening air was thick, pressing down on her like the weight of the secret she had been carrying.

Her fingers trembled as she reached for the door handle.

You have to do this, Viva., You can't hide forever.

With a deep breath, she stepped inside. The familiar scent of vanilla candles and freshly brewed tea wrapped around her, momentarily comforting, before the fear settled back in her chest. Her mother, Monica, sat at the dining table, flipping through a magazine, a soft smile gracing her face as she looked up.

"Sweetheart! This is a surprise! I was just about to make tea. Want some?"

Viva hesitated, her throat dry. "Mom, we need to talk."

Monica's smile faltered as she took in Viva's expression. She set the magazine down and gestured for her to sit. "Alright. What is it?"

Viva lowered herself onto the chair, her hands twisting together. She inhaled sharply. Just say it.

"I'm pregnant."

Silence.

Monica blinked, as if the words hadn't fully registered. "I-I'm sorry, what?"

"I'm pregnant," Viva repeated, barely above a whisper.

The color drained from her mother's face. Her fingers curled into her lap, and when she spoke again, her voice was tight. "Who... how?" She shook her head quickly. "Never mind that. The father? Who is he?"

Viva looked away. "It was a one-night stand. I don't even know his name."

Monica let out a sharp breath, rubbing her temple. "Viva, what were you thinking?"

"I wasn't," Viva admitted, her voice breaking. "I was heartbroken. I just-I made a mistake, and now..." She gestured to her stomach. "This is real."

Her mother was quiet for a long time. Then, she exhaled deeply. "So, what now?"

"I'm keeping the baby," Viva said firmly. "I'm resigning from Goldie's company. I don't know what the future holds, but I do know I want this baby."

Monica shood up from her chair, pacing across the small living room. "Tell me you're joking, Viva. Tell me this is some kind of ridiculous prank!"

"It's not," Viva said quietly.

Monica turned sharply, her face contorted in disbelief. "How could you let this happen? Do you have any idea what you're about to put yourself through?"

Viva flinched. "Mom, please-"

"No, you listen to me!" Monica snapped. "Do you remember how hard it was for me? Raising you alone? Working three jobs just to put food on the table? The nights I cried myself to sleep, wondering if I could afford rent or your school tuition? Do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?"

Tears welled up in Viva's eyes. "I know it wasn't easy for you, but-"

Monica cut her off with a bitter laugh. "You know? No, Viva, you don't know. You were a child. You didn't see the sacrifices, the times I skipped meals so you wouldn't go hungry, the years I never once put myself first because my only priority was you."

Viva clenched her fists. "I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I won't run away from this. I made a mistake, but I'm going to take responsibility."

"With what money? You work for that woman who treats you like trash! You have nothing to give this child, no home of your own, no support system!"

Viva's breath hitched. "I will figure it out."

Monica let out an exhausted sigh, rubbing her temples. "And the father? Where is he?"

Viva's stomach twisted. "I don't know."

Monica froze. "You don't know?"

"I just told you, it was a one-night stand," Viva admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her mother stared at her in utter disbelief. "Oh, Viva..." She shook her head, disappointment heavy in her gaze. "I thought I raised you better than this."

That hit like a knife to the chest.

Viva bit her trembling lip, feeling her mother's judgment crush her. Her mother sat back down, the anger in her eyes replaced by something worse-defeat.

"You have no idea how much this breaks my heart."

Viva wiped at her tears. "Mom, I need you right now. I don't need a lecture, I don't need to be shamed-I just need to know that you're still on my side. I won't force you to accept this, I'll wait. But I just want you to be able to accept me and my choices."

Monica sighed heavily. "Viva, when you turned down medical school, I accepted it. When you wanted to move out, I supported you. When you started dating that good-for-nothing lowlife Nathan, regardless of how I hated him, I let you have your way. And now this?" Her voice cracked. "It's bad enough you got pregnant, but now I have to also accept this?"

She shook her head, pressing a hand to her chest. "No. Not this time. I hate that you've put yourself in this position. And I hate that you're about to go through the same hell I did. I worked too hard for you to do this to me."

Viva swallowed the lump in her throat, her own heart heavy. "But you're my mom. That's what parents are supposed to do. Just as you worked hard to raise me alone, I will do the same for my baby. If you could do it, then you should trust that I can too. I'll find a way to be okay."

Her mother exhaled deeply. Then she looked away. "Please leave. I can't do this with you right now."

Viva swallowed hard, standing up. "I understand."

She turned to leave. Each step toward the door felt heavier than the last. She stepped outside, and the cool night air hit her like a slap. A tear slipped down her cheek.

She had a battle ahead of her. She feared her mom would never accept her.

But she had no choice but to win-one way or another.

******GOLDIE NEVER REALLY CARES*****

Viva walked into Goldie's office, her resignation letter clenched tightly in her slightly trembling hands. She had barely slept the night before, her mother's words echoing in her mind. But this was the next step.

Goldie barely looked up when Viva entered.

"If this is about yesterday's mess, spare me the excuses," she said, flipping through some papers. "I don't tolerate carelessness, and you of all people should know that by now."

Viva took a breath. "It's not about that. I'm resigning." She placed the letter on Goldie's desk.

That made Goldie stop. Her eyes flicked to the envelope, then back to Viva. A slow, amused smirk curved her lips. "Resigning?" she repeated, as if the very idea was ridiculous. "And what, pray tell, has brought on this sudden stroke of courage?"

Viva lifted her chin, determined not to let Goldie intimidate her.

"I have personal matters to handle. I can't continue working here."

Goldie leaned back in her chair, tapping a manicured nail against the desk. "Let me guess. You're pregnant."

Viva stiffened. "How-?"

Goldie scoffed. "Please. The signs are obvious. The absent-mindedness, the sudden exhaustion, and let's not forget that meltdown yesterday. So tell me, who's the father?"

Viva's stomach turned. She wasn't about to explain her personal life to Goldie. "That's not relevant."

Goldie chuckled, standing up.

"Of course it is. A woman in your position can't afford to be reckless, Viva. You barely survived in this company when you were at your best. What makes you think you'll survive out there now?"

Viva swallowed down the lump in her throat. "I'll manage."

Goldie circled her desk, stepping closer. "You know what I hate more than incompetence? Wasted potential." She crossed her arms. "You had promise, Viva. I saw it. You worked hard, put up with everything I threw at you. And now, you're throwing it all away. For what? A baby you weren't even planning for?"

Viva clenched her fists. "This baby is my responsibility. I may not have planned for it, but that doesn't mean I'll let it ruin me."

Goldie tilted her head, studying her. Then she sighed, shaking her head. "Fine. Your choice. But don't expect any favors from me if you come crawling back."

Viva met her gaze with unwavering determination. "I won't."

Goldie picked up the resignation letter and waved it dismissively. "Get your things and go, then. And make sure you don't leave anything behind-I don't want to hear your name in this office again."

Viva turned on her heel and walked out without another word.

As she stepped into the elevator, a shaky breath left her lips. The doors closed, and only then did she allow herself to feel the full weight of what she had just done.

She had no job. No financial security.

But she also had no regrets.

She was free.

And she would figure it out-one way or another,

*******THE NEW START****

Viva had barely kicked off her shoes when her phone buzzed. She groaned, flopping onto the couch. The last thing she needed was another problem to deal with.

She glanced at the screen-Lilly.

She sighed before answering. "Lilly, now is really not the best time-"

"Trust me, when you hear this, it will be."

Lilly's voice was practically buzzing with excitement.

Viva pinched the bridge of her nose. "Fine. What's up?"

"You remember Leo Adams?"

Viva frowned. "Not particularly."

Lilly groaned. "Do you even listen when I speak?"

"I mean-" Viva sat up. "Should I?"

"Ugh. LD Technology."

That rang a bell. "Oh, right. The big-shot CEO guy."

"Yes! Well, turns out he was in need of a new assistant, and guess what?"

Viva's stomach twisted. "Lilly...what did you do?"

"Relax! I just happened to find out first-hand-shoutout to Harry for the inside scoop-and I may have applied for the position for you."

Viva sat up straight. "You what?"

"I figured since you were leaving Soul Sisters, you'd need a backup plan. A fresh start, a new environment, something better than Goldie."

Before she could finish, Viva cut in. "First of all-what the hell, Lilly? Second, get to the point."

"Okay, okay! Long story short-you got the job."

Silence.

Viva blinked. "Wait. What?"

"You. Got. The. Job!" Lilly practically screamed into the phone. "Pays way more than Goldie. Plus, guess what? We get to live together again, just like college! West View, baby!"

Viva didn't know if she should be excited, terrified, or both. Moving? Starting over in a completely new city? It felt like too much at once.

But wasn't that exactly what she needed?

She pressed a hand to her chest, inhaling. Then, it hit her.

"OH MY FREAKING GOD!" she shrieked.

"I KNOW, RIGHT?" Lilly squealed. "I am amazing."

Viva laughed, her heart pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement.

Maybe this was it. The clean slate she had been waiting for.

******GOODBYE MAMA******

Viva packed up her things, she knew there was one last thing she had to do before leaving.

She had to see her mother.

The house felt colder than usual when she stepped inside. Her mother was seated in her usual chair, staring blankly at the TV, but Viva knew she wasn't really watching. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

"Mom..." she started softly. "I came to say goodbye."

Silence.

She tried again. "I got a new job in West View. I'll be staying with Lilly. It's a fresh start for me."

Nothing. No flicker of acknowledgment, not even a glance in her direction.

Viva clenched her fists. "I hate that we have to live like this." Her voice cracked, but still, her mother didn't respond.

She sighed, her heart heavy. There was nothing more she could do, not now.

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a small folded note and placed it gently on the table beside her mother.

"This is my address. Both for work and where I'll be staying with Lilly," she said, voice softer now. "I'll be waiting for when you can accept us."

She turned to leave, but before she stepped out, tears welled in her eyes. She wiped them away quickly, refusing to break down. Not here.

As she walked down the path away from the house, something made her glance back one last time.

Through the dimly lit window, she saw her mother.

Peeking through the curtains. Watching her go.

Viva knew her mother would cry herself to sleep that night. But she wouldn't rush her. She wouldn't beg for acceptance.

Some things had to be felt, not forced.

With that, she faced forward and kept walking.