Ashlyna: takes a deep breath D-did you ever w-wonder why I w-was distant?
what do you mean drinks coffee
looks down at her cup I...I was using a surrogacy service. I didn't want to have children, so I decided to use a surrogate. But I used my sister's DNA instead of mine.
looks at her yes I did.. what happened?
she fidgets with her fingers, avoiding eye contact It's...it's complicated. You see, I-I had trouble conceiving, and I was desperate for a family. So...I did something drastic.
I did, it hurt me deeply. You never wanted to talk about it when I asked.
looks down, feeling guilty I'm sorry. I...I didn't know how to explain it. It was a complicated situation. But...takes another deep breath...I feel like I need to tell you now.
takes another deep breath I-I...I became a surrogate. For my sister and her husband. They couldn't have children on their own...so they asked me if I would carry their baby for them.
yes I did, but what does this have to do with anything
sighs You're going to hate me when I tell you...
yeah...did you find someone else while we were broken up? she notices his heart sink when he asks that question
her eyes widen slightly N-no! That's not it at all...
she fidgets nervously, trying to find the right words It's just... something personal, something serious. I didn't know how to bring it up.
Yes.. I tried asking but you wouldn’t talk about it..
Ashlyna nods, looking down at the table, a mixture of guilt and sadness on her face
I'm sorry, I didn't want to worry you... But, t-the truth is... I-I've been carrying a big secret.
Yeah. It was like something ate at you. I take her hand. What happened?
her voice quivers You r-really want to know?
yeah.... i thought it was because we broke up
Ashlyna nods slowly, fiddling with her fingers Yeah... it was, partially. But t-there's something else I need to tell you...
nods slowly I was keeping a secret from you... a big one. takes a sip of her coffee before continuing Do you remember how we used to talk about having kids someday?