Chapter 8

Dutch sat in Melvina's cozy living room, feeling the weight of everything they had been hiding for the past few weeks. They had been tiptoeing around the rules, dodging questions, and lying about their relationship. Tonight was supposed to be the night they finally dropped their guard, but as he stared into her eyes, all he could think about were the bullets they had dodged—and the ones still waiting to hit them.

"Remember that night at El Sol Wraps?" Melvina asked, leaning back into the cushions beside him, her voice light with nostalgia. "That guy was crazy! I can't believe he might actually be a murder suspect… and we are still in the clear about all this"

Dutch chuckled, though the laughter felt heavy in his chest. "Yeah, I thought for sure Vic would catch on. He's always got an eye on everyone."

Melvina grinned, teasing. "Well, you are his nerdcel partner."

Dutch rolled his eyes, leaning closer, feeling the warmth of her body against his. He wanted to tell her that Vic had been at El Sol Wraps recently—what if he had seen them? But before he could say anything, her lips brushed his, and whatever confession he had died on his tongue. Their kiss deepened, slow and soft at first, but quickly growing more intense.

As they collapsed onto the bed, Melvina pulled back slightly, her breath shaky. "Do you have a condom?" she asked, her voice a whisper in the dim room.

Dutch froze, reality crashing back down around him. "No, I... I don't." he admitted.

Melvina sighed, sitting up, running her hands through her hair. "I can't risk it, Dutch," she said, her voice more serious now. "My sister just got pregnant, and it looks like our family doesn't exactly have the best luck with pregnancies."

Dutch blinked, confused by the sudden shift. "Your sister? That wasn't just a cover up you made up for Vic?"

Melvina reached for her phone on the nightstand, scrolling through her photos. "She's been really sick lately," she explained, pulling up a picture and handing it to him.

Dutch took the phone, his breath catching in his throat as he stared at the image on the screen. It was Edwina, looking pale and gaunt, her eyes hollow from stress. The girl he had been casually seeing... was Melvina's sister?

His hand trembled slightly as he handed the phone back, his mind racing. Edwina. Pregnant. Was it his baby? How much is she telling Melvina?

"Dutch? What's wrong?" Melvina's voice was soft but concerned.

He swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet her eyes. "Your sister... I didn't know..."

Dutch's mind was spinning, every secret he had been hiding threatening to come crashing down. He had no idea how to explain this, but one thing was for certain: the web of lies they had both been weaving just got a lot more complicated.

"She's had a rough time," Melvina said softly, reaching for his hand and squeezing it gently. Her voice was full of warmth, of love, like she really believed he was some kind of good guy. "But you couldn't have known." She smiled, that easy, trusting smile that made Dutch's stomach twist in knots. "You're so caring, Dutch."

The guilt was unbearable. Caring? If she only knew.

But instead of pulling away, Dutch found himself leaning into her touch, craving the comfort she was offering. It felt like all the secrets and lies were closing in on him, but here, with her, it was easy to pretend like everything was okay. Even if it wasn't. Even if it never could be.

Melvina's smile widened a little as she shifted closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "You know, we should visit Edwina sometime," she said casually, like she didn't just drop the most terrifying suggestion he'd ever heard. "I think it would really cheer her up. She needs people around her right now."

Dutch's breath caught in his throat. Visit Edwina? He could barely keep it together just hearing her name, let alone facing her again. Especially with Melvina there, right by his side, thinking everything was perfectly normal.

"Y-yeah," he stammered, trying to keep his voice from cracking. "That sounds... good."

Melvina pulled back slightly, her eyes bright as she looked at him. "And the best part?" She gave a little smirk. "We won't have to pretend around my sister." She laughed lightly, like it was some kind of relief for her.

But for Dutch, the words hit him like a sledgehammer.