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Chapter 3

Andrea and Nancy sat at the dining table, their hearts racing with trepidation as they stared at the pregnancy test placed before them. The small, rectangular indicator slowly began to show its result, and they both held their breath.

Seconds felt like an eternity as the colors on the test strip shifted, and then, with a clear and undeniable declaration, it revealed the truth.

Andrea and Nancy looked at each other simultaneously, their eyes widening in shock, and they both uttered the same words, almost in unison.

"Oh no!" They both said in unison.

The reality of the situation hit them like a tidal wave. Andrea had taken the test on a whim, never truly expecting it to be positive.

But here it was, a confirmation of something she hadn't plAliced for, something that could change her life in ways she couldn't imagine.

Andrea's legs felt weak, and she slowly sank to the kitchen ground with tears streaming down her cheeks. "How... how could this happen?" she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of emotions. "Especially with a man who doesn't take me seriously."

Nancy knelt beside her friend, her own eyes moist with empathy. She placed a comforting hand on Andrea's shoulder. "Izzy, we'll figure this out together, okay? You don't have to face this alone."

Andrea shook her head, her sobs intensifying. "But Lou, you don't understand. You should've seen how Tyler reacted when we were together. He made it clear it was just a casual encounter, nothing more. He doesn't want any commitments."

Nancy listened to her friend's pain, her heart aching for Andrea. She knew this situation was far from ideal, but she also knew that Andrea deserved to have a say on how she wanted to handle it. Still, she couldn't shake her worry.

"Izzy," Nancy began gently, "I understand your fears, but you can't keep this a secret forever. If you don't tell Tyler, you might have to raise this baby alone. Is that what you want?"

Andrea hesitated, her thoughts agitating in unrest. She wiped away her tears and tried to regain some mask of composure. "I just don't know, Lou. This is all so overwhelming."

Nancy gave her friend's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I get it, Izzy. But remember, this is your life, your choice. We'll support you no matter what you decide. Just think about it."

With a heavy heart, Andrea nodded, knowing that Nancy was right. She couldn't keep this secret forever, and she needed to have a conversation with Tyler, no matter how difficult it might be.

Nancy saw a glimmer of resolve in Andrea's eyes and continued to offer her unwavering support. "We'll take it one step at a time, Izzy. You're not alone in this."

Andrea knew that telling Tyler about the pregnancy would be a challenging and uncertain journey, but she also understood that it was a step she needed to take.

She needed to find Tyler and have a conversation about the unexpected turn their lives had taken.

She dressed in a hurry with her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Tyler and the impending discussion.

She remembered him mentioning that he was staying at The Royal Ivy Hotels, and that's where she headed, determined to locate him.

As she left her apartment, her footsteps felt heavy with uncertainty. The city bustled around her, unaware of the turmoil in her heart.

She navigated the crowded streets, her mind racing with thoughts of what she would say to Tyler when she found him.

But in her haste, Andrea ended up taking a wrong turn, and soon, she found herself in an unfamiliar part of the city. Feeling lost and frustrated, she stopped for a moment, unsure of which direction to go. That's when she noticed a small, weathered sign that read "Card Readings."

Intrigued and searching for a sign, both literally and figuratively, Andrea decided to step inside. The shop was dimly lit, and the air was filled with the scent of incense. A woman with kind eyes and a headscarf sat at a table covered with cards.

Andrea approached her tentatively and asked, "Can you read my cards?"

The card reader smiled warmly and gestured for Andrea to sit across from her. She began shuffling the deck of cards, her fingers moving with a fluid grace. As the cards fell onto the table, the reader's eyes studied them intently.

After a few moments, she looked up at Andrea and began to speak. "I see that you've faced many challenges and hardships in your life," she said with her voice soft and soothing. "But I also see a path to happiness, a new beginning on the horizon."

Andrea listened intently, her skepticism momentarily forgotten. The card reader's words resonated with her and offering a glimmer of hope in the midst of her uncertainty.

The woman continued, "You've been through so much, and it's made you strong. You have the power to shape your own destiny, to find happiness and fulfillment. But remember, it won't be without its challenges."

Andrea nodded, her heart a mix of emotions. She thanked the card reader for her insights and left the shop with a newfound determination.

The words of the card reader had rekindled her determination to find Tyler and have the conversation of their coming baby.

Andrea was ready to face whatever lay ahead, with Tyler and with the new life growing within her.

With a determined stride, Andrea finally arrived at The Royal Ivy Hotels, her heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

This was the moment she had been building up to, the moment when she would find Tyler and have the difficult conversation that determined their futures..

She approached the elegant hotel's reception desk, where a polished receptionist greeted her with a warm smile.

Andrea's voice quivered slightly as she spoke, "I'm looking for Tyler William. Could you please check if he's around?"

The receptionist's fingers danced across the keyboard of her computer as she began her search. Minutes felt like hours as Andrea anxiously tapped her fingers on the marble countertop.

She couldn't help but replay their brief yet intimate encounter in her mind, the memory a messof emotions.

After what seemed like an eternity, the receptionist finally looked up, her smile fading as she delivered the news. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but there's no Tyler William registered at this hotel."

Andrea's heart sank. She had been so sure that Tyler had mentioned staying at The Royal Ivy Hotels. Doubt began to creep into her mind. Had she remembered it wrong? Or was Tyler using a different name for privacy?

She mustered the courage to ask, "Are you sure there's no one by that name? Could you please double-check?"

"I've checked our records thoroughly, ma'am," the receptionist said, her voice gentle but unwavering. "There's no one by the name of Tyler William staying here."

Andrea's disappointment was noticeable. Where could Tyler be? Had he lied about his whereabouts, or had something happened that kept him from staying at the hotel?

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