Losing My Life

Chapter 23

Not everybody is perfect, and Ryleigh is well aware of this, but seeing evil and hatred in others so quickly caught her off guard. Stacie represented something she had never seen before in a human being, and what makes her even more disgusted is that she is the mother of Layla, the woman she would be idolising.

Against the odds, Ryleigh made the deal and gave her the money. It was the sacrifice she is willing to take as she put her child first more than anything else. Any mother would do that, she thought. It will be damaging to them both if the rumours spread with that derogatory remark. If Ryleigh was to say it was Stacie that started it, would there be a chance Rory would believe her? Would he take Stacie's side for his daughter's sake? Either way, the money should keep her quiet, and she thinks this is only the beginning, and she will try and do something else to hurt their relationship. She devises a strategy before the pregnancy news is sabotaged.

Ryleigh lied when Kelsie returned with the board games, saying Layla had left with Stacie because her vacation had been cut short. It made her sad, as she refused to admit the threat or even the money. Despite their intimate relationship, she is determined to keep this a secret from Kelsie. Ryleigh devised a plan with Kelsie's approval, and she called Rory the news.

'So, I'll be 12 weeks tomorrow, and I wasn't going to see the midwife until next week. So I thought, why don't I move it forward and then we can tell the press? I can't hide it in anymore.' She lies with her friendly voice, but her body language says otherwise, with her arms crossed over her chest.

'Yeah, that's fine with me too. Since Layla there with you, we can tell her now.' The phone line went silent, and she prepared to tell him the white lie.

'Umm, she's not here anymore....Stacie came to collect her as her vacation got cut short.'

'Oh, well that's a bummer. I guess we can call her. I'm free now. What do you say?' Rory says and rests on the hotel bed with Josh listening on his side.

'I'll let you do it.' Ryleigh hesitates, 'She'll like it if it's coming from you.'

The distress in her voice made Rory jolt up.

'Ry, is something wrong?'

'No....she missed you and just to see you would be fine. Besides, I have to go to the studio in a bit. If you're free now, go ahead.' She says, making it up as she goes.

'Ok, as long as you're sure. I love you.'

'I love you more.' Rory hangs up and turns to look at Josh, who is typing away on his phone, getting the announcement ready for the press.

He dials Stacie's number, and she plays along with the story and answers Rory's questions about what happened on her vacation. He does this to keep things as civil as possible for Layla; one slip on his side, and she'll be gone. It would be easy to start a fight with her, but he has always played by her rules. On the other hand, Rory had certain rules about paying his way and made it clear that if he couldn't see Layla, she couldn't have his money to cover bills, education, medical bills, and other expenses.

Some of his ex-girlfriends would interfere and make things worse, but when he told Ryleigh about the situation, she stayed away, which he preferred. They were sometimes eager to meet his daughter and express their thoughts too early in their relationship. It irritated him, so he used it as an excuse to end things.

Rory isn't afraid to tell Stacie the news because he wants to prove that he's changing. Layla jumped with excitement when he told her that Ryleigh was expecting a baby and that she'd be having a little brother or sister. For her, it's most likely to have someone to play with when she visits. Rory is looking forward to doing this with Ryleigh and becoming a family.

Posting the news earlier than expected made him even more ecstatic, as this would be a new chapter for him to open up to the world and gain more support from the public.

Though Stacie pretended to be shocked, the truth is that she couldn't care less. Her thoughts are elsewhere, and she wonders if she should burst his bubble about Ryleigh's actions. She made the decision not to because she needed to calm Layla down.

He hangs up the call and gazes out the window, reflecting on how much he wishes Layla could stay with them permanently. But he remembers how hard he worked in the studio to make his album a success, and Ryleigh did the same when she returned from the UK. It makes him wonder whether he'd have time to spend with their child if they didn't work so hard. Other commitments, such as interviews and photoshoots, are another reason Layla is unable to stay.

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With all of her mixed feelings from Stacie's intimidation, dodging her way out with Rory, and announcing the news earlier, it all faded away when today came. She gets a better look at the baby. Even if the baby is still inside her belly, she is ready for them to be in her arms. The beaming smile on her face, with the feeling of her belly with each passing second.

Seeing the midwife early became a great advantage, as she prescribed medication to help the sickness to go away and they needed the scan to finish the news before it could go out. The ultrasound probe was rubbing against her stomach to reveal a splotch looking like a form of a baby.

Kelsie, seated next to her, sees it for the first time and the excitement it brings on her friend's face. She's not sure how happy the room is right now because all she wants to do is hold the baby.

Ryleigh gets her phone out and presses record,

'Hey little one. I can't wait to meet you. Wave to the camera, say hi to daddy. We're excited....' She says and places the phone closer to the screen with the sound of the baby's heartbeat. '...Yeah, your excited?' From the movement, it looked like the baby is kicking, 'I'm your mum, and when you're nearly here, daddy will be here too.' and she laughs. 'Holding your hand, cuddle you and kiss you too much. It's exciting, isn't it?'

Every day, she prepares the nursery and wants to spend a lot of money before the baby arrives. Fortunately, Kelsie is here to keep her finances under control. When Ryleigh imagines the baby's life, she realises it will be very different from hers. It was peaceful and hidden, in contrast to her current life, which is continuously on show. She begins to consider whether she would like their child to be known and seen by everyone.

Not everyone is comfortable in the spotlight, and being born into it is a different story. But seeing how well Layla handles it and continues to attend school makes Ryleigh feel better. Then she remembers Stacie, and the fear comes back of being threatened and blackmailed for the money.

After she finishes her recording, the midwife leaves to pick up the scan.

'I promise, I'll do anything for you....whatever the risk.' she says quietly.