Street Hustler: A Father's Legacy, A Son's Sacrifice

Chapter 7

Jordyn's POV

As I strolled out of my bathroom, hoping to find Travis where I left him, my heart sank as I realized he was nowhere to be found. Instead, I found him wandering around, his troubled expression mirroring my own. The tension between us is noticeable, and I know that this conversation is long overdue.

"Who room does this belong to?" Travis reiterated, his voice echoing with confusion. His eyes were filled with a mix of curiosity and concern as he looked around, searching for answers.

The weight of his question hits me like a ton of bricks, and I can feel tears welling up in my eyes. I fought to keep them at bay, rubbing my tired eyes in a weak attempt to hide my emotions. It's time to confront the painful truth that has haunted me for too long.

"I had a miscarriage," I responded, my voice barely above a whisper. Saying the words out loud made the pain all too real, and it broke my heart to see the impact it had on Travis.

He dropped his head in defeat, his usual confident demeanor shattered before me. "I'm sorry, J," he murmured, his voice laced with guilt and remorse. I could see the weight of the past weighing him down, and yet, there was a glimmer of genuine concern and love in his eyes.

"It wasn't long after I moved in with my grandparents. I fell into a deep depression," I explained, my voice trembling with the weight of my suppressed emotions. The pain of losing not just a child, but a piece of myself, had consumed me completely.

"Why didn't you call me?" Travis asked, his voice filled with hurt. "It's like, once your mom sent you away, you stopped all communication with me."

The silence that followed was suffocating, as we both tussled with our regrets and the years of missed opportunities. The unspoken question hung in the air, begging to be answered.

"My grandparents were strict," I finally admitted, my voice filled with bitterness. The memories of that time flooded back, the suffocating rules and constant supervision leaving little room for me to reach out for support. For a moment, we are both lost in our thoughts, our minds consumed by the should-haves and what-ifs. The weight of our past and the pain we have endured fills the room.

"I wish I could've been there for you," Travis said, remorseful.

I forced a fake smile, desperate to change the subject and shield myself from any more pain.

"Are you ready?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "I can still get you to work on time."

I let out a sigh, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle on my shoulders. "I think I'll just take a mental health day."

I could sense his defeat, his desperation to help me in any way possible. His offer surprises me, though. "How about you spend the day with me, and I'll pay you whatever you would've made if you had gone to work?"

My eyebrows shot up in shock, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Financially, it would be a good deal, but I quickly declined his offer. "My grandmother is watching my daughter, and since I'm not going to work, I probably should just pick her up."

"Daughter?" he asked, genuine curiosity and surprise evident in his voice.

I took a deep breath and opened up about my life, my struggles, and the love I have for my daughter. "After graduation, I went to community college and met this guy I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with. But shortly after getting pregnant, he left. So my grandparents have been helping raise my daughter, Zoe."

I see understanding and empathy in his eyes as he nods, his gaze filled with sadness for the hardships I've faced.

"I'm not doing anything, so I wouldn't mind taking you to pick her up."