Song for this chapter: Steve Moakler - Hesitate on the multimedia.

______________

| P a s t |

Sign

It was December 18, and the crisp winter air chilled my face as I stepped into the bustling Christmas party. The festive ambiance filled the large, elegantly decorated ballroom of the corporation in Seattle where I'd been hired to photograph the event. Garlands, twinkling lights, and ornaments adorned every corner, while a grand tree stood in the center of the room, towering over the guests mingling beneath its branches.

I held my camera close, eyes scanning for the perfect shot. My focus was on capturing the essence of the evening—the joy, the laughter, the warmth despite the cold season outside. I clicked a few candid shots of executives chatting by the fireplace, and then a group of employees posing near the tree.

"Sign, you're always working," Carly, one of my colleagues, said with a playful grin as she walked up to me. She was dressed in a sleek black dress, her arms full of papers as if she'd just left a meeting.

I smiled, adjusting the settings on my camera. "Honestly, after some time without a steady job, I'm just grateful for every opportunity. Especially now, during the holidays."

Carly raised an eyebrow, clearly sensing the deeper meaning behind my words. "That's fair," she said softly, nodding. "But what about you? Do you ever take a break? Any plans for Christmas?"

I hesitated for a second, glancing at the garland hanging on the mantle as if it held the answer to my thoughts. "Actually," I began, shifting my weight, "I'm planning to go on vacation with my boyfriend, Linc."

Carly's eyes widened, clearly intrigued. "Lincoln Campbell Smith, right?" Her tone dropped, as though we were exchanging some forbidden secret.

I nodded, feeling a warm flush in my cheeks at the mention of Linc's name. "Yeah, that's him."

"Wow, a vacation, huh? You guys must be serious," she teased, her expression softening into something more genuine. "Where to?"

"We haven't really decided yet," I replied, lowering my camera. "Someplace quiet, maybe. Just the two of us."

Carly's smile widened, and she nudged me with her elbow. "Sounds romantic. I hope you get some rest. You deserve it."

I shrugged lightly, though the thought of spending the holidays with Linc made my heart flutter. 

The conversation ended when Christine, the event planner, rushed up to me, looking stressed but trying to mask it with a forced smile. "Hey, Sign, we need a few more shots by the stage," she instructed. "The CEO is about to make his big speech."

I nodded, feeling the professional mask slip back over me as I adjusted my lens. "Got it. I'm on it."

As I moved through the crowd, snapping shots of smiling faces and clinking glasses, my mind wandered back to Linc. Our relationship, though private and often challenging, had given me something to look forward to—moments like these when work was demanding, and life felt like a race.

***

As I stepped out of the building into the cold night air, the warmth and laughter of the Christmas party still echoed faintly behind me. I scanned the quiet street, and there, leaning casually against his car, was Linc. His tall frame stood out in the dim glow of the streetlights, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, his dark hair tousled by the breeze.

The moment he saw me, his face lit up with that familiar, boyish grin I had grown to love. "Hey," he called out, pushing himself off the car and walking toward me.

"Hey yourself," I replied, smiling as I approached him, feeling the weight of the night's work lift off my shoulders in his presence.

"I've got good news," he said, excitement flickering in his bright blue eyes.

"Oh?" I tilted my head, intrigued by his upbeat tone.

"I got the role," he said, his voice filled with pride. "For that TV show I auditioned for—the one where my father's playing the lead."

My eyes widened with genuine excitement. "Linc, that's amazing!" I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you! You've worked so hard for this."

He laughed, hugging me back. "Thanks. It's going to be a big project. Filming starts next week."

My heart leapt for him. It's great to know that finally got a role where he can work with his father. His whole life, all he wanted was to be acknowledged by his father.

Linc's grin widened. "Anyway, Trav is waiting for us to celebrate."

"Absolutely," I agreed. "Let's go!"

When we arrived at the bar, the atmosphere was lively and warm, a stark contrast to the chill outside. Travis was already there, holding court at a table in the corner. He looked up as we entered and gave Linc a nod of approval.

"Travis, this is Sign," Linc introduced us. "Sign, this is Travis, my manager."

"Nice to meet you, Travis," I said, extending my hand.

"Likewise," Travis replied, shaking my hand firmly. "Glad you could join us."

As the night unfolded, we celebrated Linc's achievement with drinks and laughter. The bar was bustling with energy, and the clinking of glasses mingled with the upbeat music. Linc and Travis recounted the details of the role and their plans, their excitement palpable. I was thrilled to be a part of it all, celebrating not just Linc's success but the hard work and dedication that had brought him to this moment.

The evening was a blend of joy and camaraderie, and I felt grateful to share it with Linc and Travis. It was one of those moments that felt right, a perfect pause in the whirlwind of our lives.

The night was in full swing at the bar, the laughter and music blending into a festive din. Linc, Travis, and I had settled into a rhythm of conversation and celebration, clinking glasses and savoring the warmth of the evening. I was enjoying myself, feeling the thrill of Linc's success and the camaraderie of the night.

But then, out of nowhere, a man approached our table, his face flushed with anger. I didn't recognize him at first, but his demeanor was unmistakably hostile.

"Hey," he said, his voice dripping with resentment. "You're the one who ruined my relationship a few months ago, aren't you? I still remember your face from that night."

I was taken aback. "I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb," he snapped. "That prank you pulled at the bar—my girlfriend broke up with me because of it. You think it's funny to mess with people's lives?"

My heart sank as I remembered the prank. I had been completely drunk at that party—totally out of it. But the memory came back vividly. I had made a mess of things, and now it seemed to have caught up with me.

I tried to apologize, to explain that it was never meant to hurt anyone, but the man wasn't having it. His anger only seemed to escalate.

"You don't get it," he shouted, his face contorted with rage. "You think you can just walk away from the mess you created?"

Before I could react, the confrontation had escalated. The man hurled insults, his words cutting deep, and I could see the tension in Linc's face as he stood up to intervene. He moved between me and the angry man, trying to defuse the situation.

"Hey, back off," Linc said firmly. "This isn't the place for this."

Travis, seeing the tension, jumped up from his seat, trying to intervene. "Hey, come on, let's all just calm down. This isn't the place for this kind of confrontation."

But the man wasn't backing down. Words turned into shoves, and in a flash, the confrontation turned physical. Linc and the man began exchanging punches, the bar erupting into chaos. Travis tried to break up the fight, grabbing Linc and pulling him back, but the man was relentless.

I watched in horror as Travis' efforts to separate them were in vain. The man grabbed a bottle from the bar and swung it at Linc, striking him hard on the head.

I screamed, my hands covering my mouth in shock. Linc crumpled to the floor, and the room fell silent. I rushed to his side, my hands shaking as I touched his face.

Linc's eyes were closed, and blood was starting to pool on the floor. Panic surged through me. I could barely process what had happened, only that Linc was badly hurt.

Travis, now kneeling beside Linc and calling for help, looked frantic. The bar staff and patrons quickly moved to assist, and I was left feeling helpless and overwhelmed. The chaos of the night had turned into a nightmare I couldn't have anticipated.

Linc was taken to the hospital, and I was left with a sickening feeling of guilt and dread. The night that was supposed to be a celebration had ended in tragedy, and all I could think about was the weight of the regret and worry I now carried.

***

The week seemed to blur together as I sat by Linc's bedside, my mind clouded with worry. The sterile smell of the hospital room mixed with the beeping of machines created a dissonant rhythm that I couldn't escape. Each day felt like a lifetime as I watched Linc lying motionless, the injuries from that fateful night rendering him unconscious. The guilt I felt was overwhelming, and the stress was starting to take its toll on me in ways I hadn't anticipated.

I had been sitting in the waiting area when the room began to spin uncontrollably. I gripped the armrest of the chair, trying to steady myself, but the world around me went dark. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in a sterile hospital room, a throbbing pain in my head, and a wave of nausea threatening to pull me back into unconsciousness.

The door creaked open, and I saw Travis standing there, his face marked by a mixture of relief and frustration. "Sign, you're awake," he said, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation. He quickly moved to my side, his gaze assessing my condition. "You fainted. The doctors are taking care of you now. They'll be in shortly."

I tried to sit up but felt light-headed. "What's happening? Where's Linc?"

Before Travis could answer, a doctor entered, his expression serious and his demeanor professional. "Miss Thompson, I'm glad you're awake. We need to discuss your examination results."

I focused on the doctor, trying to ignore the pounding headache that was making it difficult to concentrate. "What's going on?"

The doctor took a deep breath. "You're three weeks pregnant. Given the stress you've been under, it's important we start prenatal care immediately."

The words hit me like a ton of bricks. I stared at the doctor in disbelief. Pregnant? I hadn't even considered the possibility. The stress of Linc's condition had consumed me. "I... I didn't realize. I've been so focused on Linc."

The doctor's expression softened. "I understand. But both your health and the baby's are crucial. We need to ensure you receive the proper care."

As the doctor left to attend to other patients, Trav's phone buzzed incessantly. He stepped out to take the call, his irritation palpable. Through the thin walls, I could hear fragments of his conversation.

"Yeah, I understand. Linc's been missing from the filming schedule... No, we're trying to handle it, but it's a mess. He's been let go... It's been chaotic."

Each word was a dagger to my heart. Linc's career was spiraling because of the incident, and I was indirectly responsible. The weight of the world felt like it was crushing me.

Travis returned, his face a mask of frustration. "Sign, we need to talk."

I looked up, my heart pounding. "What is it?"

Travis' tone was sharp, and his eyes held a mixture of frustration and concern. "Linc can't find out about the pregnancy. It'll only add to the stress and complications. For his career and well-being, you need to break up with him."

The words cut deep. "But Linc deserves to know. He deserves to know about the baby."

Travis' eyes narrowed. "You're not seeing the bigger picture here. Linc's just starting to make a name for himself. If he finds out about the pregnancy now, it could ruin everything he's worked for."

The pain in my chest was almost unbearable. "I love him, Travis. I can't just walk away and pretend like nothing's happening."

Trav's frustration was evident, but so was a hint of empathy. "I understand you care about him, but right now, you need to focus on yourself and the baby. Linc's career is at a critical juncture. You need to think about what's best for both of you in the long run."

I struggled to hold back tears. The thought of breaking up with Linc and keeping such a significant part of my life a secret was excruciating. "But how can I make such a decision without knowing if he'll ever wake up?"

Trav's face softened slightly, though his focus remained on Linc's career. "I know this is hard, but we need to manage this situation carefully. For now, keep the pregnancy between us. We'll figure out a plan to deal with it, but you need to be strong."

I nodded, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. "I'll do my best. But it's so hard..."

Travis' phone buzzed again, and he answered it, his voice tight with irritation. "Yes, I know. Linc missed the first few days of filming. It's caused a lot of problems... I'm working on it."

I could hear the exasperation in his voice as he dealt with the fallout from Linc's absence. "We need to sort this out quickly. The production is losing money, and it's creating a mess."

As Travis continued to manage the crisis, I was left alone with my thoughts. The future seemed bleak, and the decisions I had to make felt overwhelming. I had to navigate this new reality while waiting for Linc to wake up. The thought of keeping my pregnancy a secret from him was unbearable, but Travis's words echoed in my mind. I had to find a way to cope with this new reality, all while hoping for Linc's recovery.