BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV4nzfTTss
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbefJqbMd2
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He leaned over, kissed my forehead, and whispered, “I’ll handle it.” Sliding on his blue nightgown, he got out of bed. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4CPQ1Q1n3
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BANG BANG BANG*365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs0y1PSoFV
The knocking didn’t let up.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonMvZlI4wt
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7iyG6brKb
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPY3PB4o8h
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He opened the door. “Eve?”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLR7Ci5YwO
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2E8WdM7KT
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhYELCUcd9
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYUa3uQf3s
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lGCiJ6sKK
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“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjin8SpEgtD
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnZRgy2sxL
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I9ptahVsS
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“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB9PuELTSm
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Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooAyVC2mvD
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITsAbwnDio
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NQCn8QlZC
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUY2egHnff
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In the kitchen, Eve devoured the leftovers like someone who hadn’t eaten in days. Rob and Celine sat across from her, watching, waiting for an explanation that never came.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTBRj6g94j
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The white plate looked as good as new once she was done eating. She leaned back with a satisfied sigh. “Anyway, I should probably get going.”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsgCKgCZNr
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQxy3mdNb1
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb36iZGoJo
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“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC3I8Ik9ZR
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACySoDUNU4
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She headed straight to the guestroom, leaving Rob and Celine bewildered and concerned. They went back to bed, their thoughts racing.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqf60HA4RF
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December 30, 2024365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLFs6sTGS8
8:02 AM365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdGVBgELKS
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZFTaXWJ1S
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“Good morning, sleepyheads! I made breakfast. Figured it was the least I could do after crashing here uninvited,” she said cheerfully. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvniUhxwq08
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As they sat down, Eve wiped the silver knife she used while making breakfast with a towel. “Well, I’ve gotta get going.”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4ZYQTBrIP
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE5r6KwrUs
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80BgfhJOCl
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“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuJWm4DejD
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When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRebwJX9a3Z
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“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg17fd7n3VX
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Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI99ukavbz
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Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXiIMv6CaB
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“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8cUyohRVz
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She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlD3IWtJpV
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12:22 PM365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVfnPjB4RO
Even though she had money for a cab, Eve walked home. When she arrived, she didn’t go inside. Instead, she continued down the street to an old, dilapidated house. She knocked rhythmically four times, and someone opened the door just wide enough for her to enter.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRasc9vAPA
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Two minutes later, she went out, her expression lighter, almost joyful. She walked back to her house.
When she stepped inside, it was365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa9I8Rt65h
e m P t y
No TV, no appliances, no furniture. Only an old couch sat in the living room, with a small, worn table in front of it.
Eve collapsed onto the couch and pulled a small plastic bag from her pocket. Inside was a shimmering gold powder. She poured a line onto the table, carefully arranging it before leaning down and inhaling it through her right nostril.
Leaning back on the couch, she froze, staring blankly at the ceiling. She didn’t move for three and a half hours.
Back at Rob and Celine’s. They cuddled on the couch, watching a movie and sharing a bowl of popcorn. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtERiaJs8A9
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“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoPgN9PGLx
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“Huh?” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiObBKPbj34
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“Eve. She’s been living alone for five months now, and she’s unemployed. She shouldn’t be on her own,” Celine said. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmrjClHbqW
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NAAtbKE7v
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“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA9HCZhRPV
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jj0wbZxoC
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSJKLzVw9F
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December 31, 2024365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQZrtlRW11
10:01 AM365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmbEKIfox0
“Where is she?”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB4jBoGZUz
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXneFBjf154
She was at the pulpit, delivering her sermon with her usual grace and passion. Yet, her eyes continuously scanned the congregation, searching for Eve.
She clung to hope, reminding herself of Eve’s promise. But as the service concluded at 1:00 PM, and the congregation began to disperse, there was still no sign of her.
Rob approached her. “She didn’t come.”
Celine shook her head. “Let’s go check her house.”
Rob nodded, and they hurried out of the church, driving straight to Eve’s home.
When they arrived, they knocked repeatedly, calling her name. But there was no answer.
“Eve! Are you there?” Rob hesitated, then tried the doorknob. It wasn’t locked.
He and Celine exchanged shocked glances as they walked through the barren house.
Then they found her in the living room.
Eve was lying on the floor, squirming in pain, clutching her stomach. The small table nearby was knocked over, and not far from her was an empty plastic bag
“Eve!” Celine dropped to her knees beside her. “Eve, what’s wrong?”
Rob scooped her up in his arms. “Let’s go!”
They rushed to the car, Celine opening the doors as Rob carefully placed Eve in the back seat.
“Hang on, Eve,” Celine whispered as Rob started the engine and sped toward the hospital.
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1st January 2025365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwj4Cl7JP1
9:09 AM365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVRdBwmotq
Eve’s eyes fluttered open, her vision blurry at first. She didn’t know where she was, but the steady beeping of a heart monitor and the sterile smell of disinfectant gave her some idea.
She turned her head slightly. “Robby… Celine…”
They were sitting beside her bed, Celine gently holding her hand.
“Eve,” they said in unison, relief washing over their faces.
“Thank God. You’re awake,” Celine said softly. “How are you feeling?”
Eve hesitated. “I feel… I’m sorry.” Her eyes welled with tears.
“It’s okay, we—”
“No,” Eve interrupted, her voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to… I just didn’t know what else to do. When Dan died… a part of me died too. I just wanted the pain to stop. But I didn’t mean to overdose. I’m not trying to kill myself… I just…”
Rob leaned closer. “Eve, you didn’t overdose.”
Eve blinked, confusion clouding her face. Before she could ask, the door opened, and a doctor walked in, a clipboard in hand.
“It’s good to see you awake,” Dr Lucy said. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m... okay, I think,” Eve replied hesitantly. “What happened to me?”
Lucy glanced at Rob and Celine before responding. “Eve, you’re pregnant.”
“What?” Eve said, sitting up slightly. “That’s impossible. I haven’t slept with anyone in five months.”
Dr. Lucy adjusted her glasses. “You’re five months pregnant.”
Eve froze, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach. It was flat, normal — no visible sign of pregnancy, let alone five months.
“Lol, what’s going on?” she chuckled nervously, her voice shaky as she tried to dismiss it as a bad joke. But the serious looks on Rob and Celine’s faces said otherwise. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hYKaRoQF6
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Lucy’s voice was calm. “You have what is known as a cryptic pregnancy. It’s a rare phenomenon where pregnancy remains unnoticed until later stages, or even until delivery.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWXwY3xF2j
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mLM3vub1I
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“Normally, yes,” Lucy replied. “But you’ve been using some unknown drugs during the early stages of your fetus’s development, which has exacerbated the cryptic nature of your pregnancy. In this case, the drugs you’ve been using severely stunted the baby’s growth. The damage is extensive and irreversible. Even if you were to carry to term, the outcome would—”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLjtCgTtqF
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS7AaKZcVo
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Celine’s hand tightened around Eve’s, her voice trembling. “Are you saying the baby doesn’t deserve to be born just because it might be sick or disabled?” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63wg3QgtFn
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Eve burst into tears, the overwhelming emotions pouring out in uncontrollable sobs. Rob immediately leaned in, wrapping his arms around her.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqlIOrQQj3
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWu8ox7tOV
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“I understand how you feel, but this situation is more serious than just potential sickness or disability. The baby’s development has been severely impacted, and the deformities could be unlike anything we’ve seen before. Continuing this pregnancy will—” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SqyzxYkyS
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“What ‘will’ be is not in your power to decide,” Celine interrupted. “You can only make assumptions based on your experience, but the final word is not yours.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRWtwH2uqR
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Lucy sighed. “I apologize if I’ve spoken out of place. I’ll leave you all to discuss this on your own.”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ckrxZjkZr
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUO0owHPHy
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Celine returned to the room and found Rob and Eve still holding each other, both crying quietly. She approached them and wrapped her arms around them, the three of them sharing a long, silent hug until Eve’s tears finally began to subside. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeGUhbB1Yc
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“Let’s go home,” Celine suggested. “The doctor said your pain is from malnutrition, dehydration, and fatigue. There’s no reason to stay here any longer. We can decide what to do next once we’re back.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kJ1kyrrpS
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Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhO5MSAji1
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11:11 AM365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8h1qkbyTC
Back at home, Eve spent the entire day locked in her thoughts. She alternated between crying and staring into the distance. Rob and Celine took turns sitting with her, offering silent support while the other kept busy with cooking or cleaning.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl214zXQ4h
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdElY2bwBrp
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Eve’s New Year began with a crash, leaving her to wonder how(if ever) she could pick up the pieces.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO6OyLgg1a
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2nd January 2025365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0lvY7umOQ
6:56 AM365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU7eUOxoOV
Rob heard sounds in the house early in the morning. He slid out of bed, careful not to wake Celine, and followed the noise toward the front door.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL3uGUaMSL
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When he reached the hallway, he froze in surprise. There was Eve, crouched in front of the front door, her hands trembling as she clumsily tried to pick the lock with a bent hair clip. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdCOxqfqBq
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“Eve?” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIahIxk9T4Y
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Eve flinched and looked up, her face pale and sweat-soaked. “Robby…” she mumbled, the clip falling from her shaky fingers. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhhGPRMxGr
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“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHuahH4z0d
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“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtItBoPq7kh
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“Air?” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4kbOiAWma
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“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKESu2Jvseu
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...365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cJ7lo3EX4
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“You’re having withdrawals?”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz7TAXYqtC
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Her lips quivered, and she averted her gaze, her body twitching slightly. “I... I just need something, okay? Just a little bit to get me through.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G5qQYg1F6
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“Eve, no. You can’t—”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxW5inBd8y
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“I need it!” she cried, cutting him off. “I’m not a child, Robby. Just open the door! I’m dying!” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8visppbOv
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“Eve, I don’t—” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7PTiUlo0z
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“Robby!” she shouted, her voice breaking. “I already know everything you’re going to say. I don’t want to hear it! Just open the door!” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsEzjDiCN4
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Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPtxyaZK9T
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmOmPMbBpM
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He remained quiet.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUHmBlxeR7
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfjqUa4LrO
“Fuck!” another kick.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pN0NXPJRq
“Fuck!”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7ic17F8o9
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“Fuck!”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjgsjfE3BD
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“Fuck!”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPR80CJjOY
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Her voice cracked with each scream. Finally, she stormed to the kitchen, grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and drank it in shaky gulps. She slammed the empty glass into the sink, gripping the edge of the counter for support.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVySnAwm74
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LAlDU9YyA
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She let go of the sink and stumbled toward the table, steadying herself as she moved. “I just... I don’t want to feel like this anymore, Robby. Why won’t you open the door? Is it because of the baby?” Her voice cracked again. “You heard the doctor — it’s already too late for it. So please, just open the door.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokPDG4vYIG
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“It’s not about the baby,” Rob said. “It’s about my sister. It’s about how powerless I felt driving you to the hospital, thinking you were dying. It’s about how much worse it could have been if it was an actual overdose. I’m scared, Eve. I’m scared of losing you.”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9jIlmXykM
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“Then you’re doing a shit job, because I am dying, right in front of you! But you won’t open the door!” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT832BiS5n
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Rob didn’t respond. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgx0f0lhrP
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2UvsTvpob
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFUxEdokhx
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“Rob!” Celine’s voice rang out as she rushed to him, gasping when she saw the blood trickling down his face. “Oh my God, are you okay?” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwILZbaJDo
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“Celine...” Eve’s voice cracked again as tears poured down her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to... Just please, tell him to open the door! I’m in so much pain... I’m sure the baby is in pain, too! If not for me, do it for the baby. Please!” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukZuOw9beq
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Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0LBUJUqhd
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“What?” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg2qDyVbbl
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“I had a feeling something might happen last night,” Celine said firmly. “So, I took the key. And I’m glad I did. I won’t let you destroy yourself.”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEN0Yowy0X
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Rob slowly stood, pressing a hand to the cut on his cheek to stop the bleeding. “Eve, I understand how you feel. I know it’s—” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcJnyBPbAU
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“You don’t know shit!” Eve exploded with rage. “You’ve never suffered like I have! I lost our parents when I was just a kid, Rob! You were already an adult... you got to have them in your life! Dan... Dan was the only good thing I had left, and he’s gone now, too! And you? You’ve got your perfect little life — your perfect, happy relationship with Celine!” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjJjDRyaOQ
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She turned abruptly towards the kitchen counter. Her trembling hand grabbed a silver knife. She held it tightly, pointing it toward them. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgyC0gJYQ0
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHomGMe3Fz
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxh4xAMHzv
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“When Mom and Dad died, I tried as hard as I could to fill their void. But in my attempt to be both a parent and a brother, I failed to be either,” he said, taking a small step forward. “I know you loved Dan so much. I know you hate yourself for what’s happened to your baby. And I know you’re in so much pain right now.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv72qDPlGxJ
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCF3AJ0f21
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“I know you, Eve,” he said as he took another step forward. “I know you’re stronger than this. You’re not giving up because you’re weak. You’re giving up because you feel guilty. But you don’t have to.”365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFNHbfbyjB
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SF7xqqHia
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“It’s fine if you hurt me,” Rob said as he took another step forward. “But please, Eve... stop trying to hurt yourself.” 365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskQSykmSBh
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The sound of sobbing filled the room, followed by the clatter of the knife as it hit the floor. She collapsed into his chest, her body trembling.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjscETmqyg
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Celine— no, I... felt a rush of relief that Eve hadn’t stabbed him. I quickly picked up the knife and set it safely aside. Then I joined them, wrapping my arms around the both of them as they cried together.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHatU5930Ej
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It wasn’t easy in the days that followed. Withdrawal, guilt, fear... it was all still there. But we stood together, supporting Eve through every hardship.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lhcqNs8YG
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Eve decided to keep the baby. And as time passed, her body began to show clearer signs of pregnancy. Hope grew with each passing day.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzqLj9P8n6
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl1pXtdbUy
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8m2affo1R
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We named her Grace.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo0fxHom0j
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The End.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof1PTSVvmd
