Part 3The Doctor and My Fake Baby

"Dad… I…" Chloe stammered, her eyes darting around the room. Then, she took a deep breath and delivered the line that would seal my fate. "Riley's pregnant. I'm just here with her for her appointment."

My knees went weak. I felt a sudden, intense urge to drop to the floor and bow before my best friend's treachery. Chloe, Chloe, Chloe. How could you? I come here to support you, and you throw me right under the bus.

She gave my sleeve a tiny tug, her eyes pleading with me to play along.

Fine. For the sake of twenty-three years of friendship, from scraped knees on the playground to navigating our first heartbreaks, I’d take the fall.

My face flushed a deep, humiliating red. I squeezed my eyes shut. "Yes, Dr. Evans. It's me. I'm… I'm pregnant. I asked Chloe to come with me for support."

Chloe let out a shaky breath of relief. I did, too. Okay. The lie was out. Surely her dad wouldn't suspect anything now, right?

Just as I thought we were in the clear, the door opened again. "What's going on? Is there a party in here?"

"Dad," I croaked, a new wave of panic washing over me.

"Dean Shaw," Leo said, his voice laced with shock as he glanced from the newcomer back to me. Your dad? he mouthed, his eyes wider than before.

I didn't have time to answer him.

"Dr. Shaw," Chloe whimpered, stumbling slightly. I had to grab her arm to keep her from collapsing into me.

This wasn't just a complicated situation anymore. This was a five-car pile-up of awkwardness. A full-blown disaster zone.

"Well, Bill," Dr. Evans said, a huge smile spreading across his face as he turned to my father. "Congratulations. Looks like you're going to be a grandfather."