x
BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjNUdBEo2M
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSPogUqLV8
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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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS3fgVZI58
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BANG BANG BANG*276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnzcz7TYxh
The knocking didn’t let up.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCYGQFdTd3
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhrkIY1Ddh
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxZrJLYnL2
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He opened the door. “Eve?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6nJxZHUXG
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPUBxGavGl
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajBrGYnl1l
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisgOhIXfOM
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAIPnWsZnC
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1wQDgRgPR
“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpj8lLG2Fh
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspwH2Y6cWc
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHPu0jxmrD
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrmD1ZFS86
“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHjixCOws0
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIe8YsKE9L
Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJZQhqzgH8
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4eiq9NP3f
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6blPczhaU
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyf600CjsD
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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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvn7BpOYuL
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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.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhdAHr03QP
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEua9PYDSw
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vvSFpTSz0
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9P7JrZysJ
“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EDY4xYXEZ
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9hWsBVvIn
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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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzjhgKQcQ9
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December 30, 2024276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD0IR9X2D1
8:02 AM276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaR7VlWOfT
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpA9fVzBjT
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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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmkrMzAXx3
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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.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwXvSZBTUk
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehHbv5lqF9
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn667t7fpY
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“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdMrBO2l5p
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6klyh6FPWT
When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadhsFxw38Z
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt1Ys98TOV
“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz1QqcSRRA
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3FXmDiEJN
Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6H95gTTXt
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaEsybLdvp
Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbz8I7KE1m
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQRDQhn59F
“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjU0e3DwUT
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She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE54BSMJ2BK
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12:22 PM276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiboug1Ij8L
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyOe0tFkva
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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 was276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttGH73ltEP
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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEvzvqzcfq
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvhcf163bi
“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47T7wVEJ30
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“Huh?” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHUV4A3aDH
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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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAhjTjYD0F
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2WwptDM1E
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“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4XidoGx1i
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SvrUvpMHm
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu6Rlpbifr
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December 31, 2024276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPuaqZ7cOi
10:01 AM276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7VfYYeHDh
“Where is she?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RR1ONahQo
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EN0U1PvfB
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 2025276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVT1zrzbZD
9:09 AM276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXmvDEAAJo
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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6veldmly8A
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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.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oi88hgC78
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArwOMa7VBP
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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—”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIxc7uxPqz
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ6oScX9Vy
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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?” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbZzH8pBgA
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ763xeiOfGo
Eve burst into tears, the overwhelming emotions pouring out in uncontrollable sobs. Rob immediately leaned in, wrapping his arms around her.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9HQoNWOUH
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGswGfhwrc
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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—” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO1Yfq5lV6
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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.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGhK3Oo8n5
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw74YIGUTC
Lucy sighed. “I apologize if I’ve spoken out of place. I’ll leave you all to discuss this on your own.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c6jHsTOJd
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgEJOvVTlk
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMGAnvI6My
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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS3V0q14O8
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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.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rgJE7OmNx
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMYYUh8u4o
Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YEw5x9srx
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11:11 AM276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNzJ0TZtqd
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTeImzagKm
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGpOhoSd3T
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRB5r4lfEc
Eve’s New Year began with a crash, leaving her to wonder how(if ever) she could pick up the pieces.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd2lNOZiuN
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2nd January 2025276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oyraWE4e9
6:56 AM276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTdf08w1qq
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnxzoX6uUX
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyKYbLRge3
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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhXZW5svzH
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebiueYvxrC
“Eve?” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HlYHJ22Zz
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvseDaNBJ64
Eve flinched and looked up, her face pale and sweat-soaked. “Robby…” she mumbled, the clip falling from her shaky fingers. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqW7kiwtyR
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiK9v3KjNO
“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4Ob6B69cj
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYVzenWyNR
“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbphYpK7DE
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRHOf6p6Po
“Air?” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpZnM8ugZj
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSOUUFhIMb
“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCDBgTriVQ
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiu7irz06q
...276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y2zm0udLV
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“You’re having withdrawals?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUTeejBnji
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArTGXFhGpy
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.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVX1Z1QR41
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uKB5DPRLj
“Eve, no. You can’t—”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqSxwcL7Eb
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVxJFB9JjG
“I need it!” she cried, cutting him off. “I’m not a child, Robby. Just open the door! I’m dying!” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDywWkERsUu
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“Eve, I don’t—” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU3F4NWPvf
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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!” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmdihg5kHO
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1tdkmpxac
Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLSaWp6oBq
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDLDkCUYQf
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He remained quiet.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZgnli6GcG
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WAGruoWm6
“Fuck!” another kick.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN9EUZEHyi
“Fuck!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYvXUuO5ko
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA8oOCla2x
“Fuck!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSkVJHUP4l
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYiXhXOHLQ
“Fuck!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNZUDgKzbq
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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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteouHLf59o
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneZZuBkwt9
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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.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9HTfwrMjh
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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.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnoFxKn7gw
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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!” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vg7wZ0Cml
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Rob didn’t respond. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw0FiXGY9Z
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuL9E6n1Rz
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggpWIjQZyh
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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?” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdKAuIwC6K
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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!” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVCXQvgGEX
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Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22fwXKXI7q
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“What?” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzHEjj9FMa
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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.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3guCjGBoEE
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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—” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8A4srK1zg
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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!” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYfMP3U6Dr
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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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ltr195xfY
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sx3HIPrLL
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVVUXEAEje
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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.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTePbJk0UK
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WMoMDmNCf
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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.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomlVELjKen
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxJfmbYHEo
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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.” 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycg7DmIt7T
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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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxZGTk3HD1
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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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHWh9FAPih
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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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3H6r02mgu
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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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ9jaRyfAR
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwKmM4cqfE
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn3HhSWEaG
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We named her Grace.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWY8cMgHG0p
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The End.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53MuEJoyUX
