If Only He Knew

Markus looked at Monae, jaw tight.

“Well,” she said, shifting her purse on her shoulder, “I’m gonna go ahead and leave. I’ll be back to get them when I get off work.”

“Let me walk you to your car,” Markus said quickly, then turned toward Summer. “Can you watch them real quick?”

Summer smiled softly. “Of course.”

She lifted the little boy into her arms and sat on the sofa, bouncing him gently as he played with her necklace. Markus and Monae stepped outside, the sound of the door clicking shut leaving a strange stillness in the room.

Summer turned on YouTube videos for the toddler, the cheerful music filling the apartment with joyful warmth.

Outside, Markus opened the door for Monae. “You lookin’ good, girl.”

Monae smirked. “I know.”

He grinned. “Let me get a hug. I miss your hugs.”

“Really? And you got a girl up there?”

Markus chuckled, voice low and easy. “It’s not like that.

C’mon, gimme a hug.”

She gave in, wrapping her arms around him. His hands slid lower than they should have, grabbing her softly.

Monae laughed and pushed him away, playful but not angry.

“You still mine,” Markus said, eyes locked on hers.

Monae gave him that look — half challenge, half memory — before sliding into her car. She drove off, leaving the scent of her perfume drifting in the air.

When Markus came back upstairs, Summer looked up hopefully, but he walked right past her and knelt beside his kids. He laughed with them, asked about snacks, turned on a cartoon — as if she wasn’t even there.

Summer’s smile faded. She sat quietly for a while, then slipped out an hour later.

At home, she took a long shower, the steam clouding her mirror. She couldn’t stop thinking about how easily he’d ignored her. After she crawled into bed, she stared at her phone for what felt like hours before finally typing:

"I really enjoyed you."

Markus read the message, sighed, and set his phone down without replying.

Summer saw the “read” notification. Her chest tightened. She rolled over, pulling the blanket around her, and forced herself to sleep.

Two weeks passed.

Markus had barely talked to her. His messages were short, distant. He hadn’t called once. They hadn’t even shared a shift until tonight.

When she saw him in the stockroom, stacking boxes, her heart raced. “Markus!” she called out.

He turned slowly, face unreadable. “What’s up?”

“Why you been dry texting me like that?”

she asked, voice trembling slightly.

Markus rubbed the back of his neck, stepping closer. “I got a lot goin’ on right now, Summer. It’s not you. My baby mama’s been actin’ crazy, askin’ for more than I can give. It’s just… a lot.”

Summer forced a small laugh. “Well, I won’t be a crazy baby mama.”

Markus gave a dry chuckle but didn’t look at her. His eyes darted toward the floor.

Summer reached into her bag and pulled out her phone, her hands shaking. She turned the screen toward him — pictures of several positive pregnancy tests filled the display.

Markus froze. “You for real?”

Summer nodded.

“Yes.”

He swallowed hard.

“I’m so sorry, Summer.”

Her heart dropped.

“Why are you sorry?”

“Because…” He sighed. “We can’t do this. I already got three kids. The youngest is two. I’m barely makin’ it now.”

Summer’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ll get a better job. It’s no problem. We can do this together. I want you, Markus.”

He looked at her with something close to pity. “We haven’t even figured out what we’re doin’. You cool and all, but having a baby with someone I barely know… it’s crazy. I know I was irresponsible.”

Her voice broke. “I’m not getting rid of my child.”

Markus nodded slowly. “Do what you want. But I’m not claiming it. I’m sorry, Summer.”

He turned and walked away, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the aisle.

Summer stood there, frozen, the hum of the stockroom lights buzzing around her. Her vision blurred as the world tilted.

Everything inside her — hope, love, certainty — cracked like glass.

And for the first time, Summer realized that love could destroy her just as easily as it had consumed her.