BANG BANG BANG*
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXax4eweMOZ
Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNw0RFOJaA
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5OBYgN0N6
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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. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU5dyRiA8a
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BANG BANG BANG*436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD50rQhc5b
The knocking didn’t let up.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlI8fRhiCg
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiinDz9k6c
“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxZuZ8y1Jf
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYynUUNRqUF
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eSaZgH8ST
He opened the door. “Eve?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7wSybGaKF
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXPb9eWg9t
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg7eTCUDX9
“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ywl56tpL3
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xAcSprxsa
Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGcHBLOcAU
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl3f17XwTH
Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBDKR3HM6v
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpFSv5rdCL
“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUDtblb3fc
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxOUwWSxXZ
Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkXLHYOU0E
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK6tlMf31o
Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3k2PVBj24
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATqCXFjPtT
“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGWgbaOnrg
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLt9RQetqJ
Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwforbzMiFY
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH29eKWgwL5
Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMCRjaijDL
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBs39B0A1N
“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx448tXQtV
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Aca6DADR1
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy0V80yeAu
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBTKuR5Ta4
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7K1c79RCa
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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVIPrNwbjn
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaTHU7UZgW
Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTBn82b8ti
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfc3dol6Ca
“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzPHwXT7HC
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7SZslZijt
“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBVNCiVtR6
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUhuuAJoHv
Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikP7fEMDsz
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dYNIZwzqo
She headed straight to the guestroom, leaving Rob and Celine bewildered and concerned. They went back to bed, their thoughts racing.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA4Rj1hM9y
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December 30, 2024436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3vOy0uKNu
8:02 AM436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8W33qn9ig
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp8FVxjeV0
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoEgdFC6vb
“Good morning, sleepyheads! I made breakfast. Figured it was the least I could do after crashing here uninvited,” she said cheerfully. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVWaxGBz0S
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ImCHtffYI
As they sat down, Eve wiped the silver knife she used while making breakfast with a towel. “Well, I’ve gotta get going.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAprjdWseam
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnWEI0P8dZ
“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErAcO2DXTb
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DUwxCf5tD
“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnJJEBpNSX
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6dN8wQUEE
“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDuEOSnf1T
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYAJgFdVVA
When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5Jvv7RNAt
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu77TJe5lWD
“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUtgMIApN2
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNVsEEjJiM
Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ftu7ndpwk
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdMPxxqeDh
Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWjVEpCelW
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLBeAa1Sle
“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JR1ODzNdJ
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRBq87QNqu
She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t3b25mEBt
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12:22 PM436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed0lAlnuYu
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbcDX26BTz
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbkph3Opk1
Two minutes later, she went out, her expression lighter, almost joyful. She walked back to her house.
When she stepped inside, it was436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrkI08iteh
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. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNN1HEzJny
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcSq5ERN1H
“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6eY0BHMYp
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxlDt2E5hf
“Huh?” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97iBqt5uj0
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05exZX1U7h
“Eve. She’s been living alone for five months now, and she’s unemployed. She shouldn’t be on her own,” Celine said. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspDAZnF5MK
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQtTCt4xHG
“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x6M2euslw
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTKOyD80UF
“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqDWafLkf3
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb6wJnRHcb
“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcHJoh38LR
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGQ4ExiQuq
Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcOnusj26V
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mZqtHvzN9
December 31, 2024436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisLXnFTTOA
10:01 AM436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlIWO382G6
“Where is she?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMcj76A9qM
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLUlFQ3xwM
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 2025436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavOdYUAwaA
9:09 AM436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSJz1Au2zS
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. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUdYZYsF6k
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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.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVniD8Ux0yL
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg8V95VPPF
“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Te4gQhjuq
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr3vgAI6NN
“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—”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXma0Ew7Nu
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZrqntSqdZ
Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeCZEzi3cG
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ3Q8QudK6
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?” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKLavk5upE
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DUTnz7bKJ
Eve burst into tears, the overwhelming emotions pouring out in uncontrollable sobs. Rob immediately leaned in, wrapping his arms around her.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0UioHeASA
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMtwj1cuB6
“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKtFdH3r3S
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86FWOcLWe9
“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—” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPVIDJEGEf
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzum2Ja55d
“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.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVVISkCzFB
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPKCyDzU5l
Lucy sighed. “I apologize if I’ve spoken out of place. I’ll leave you all to discuss this on your own.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7f56asDTJ
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr8dJATbik
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FV4y2IDKy
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. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5zlCTzh26
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp07MvVWdLa
“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.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZx8DdB6aS8
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwMbKlHeCK
Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczveMT68tX
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11:11 AM436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvWDUHlT9w
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREOU1opmpS
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKr2utjPcu
The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujCCpy58st
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wVEfrphcA
Eve’s New Year began with a crash, leaving her to wonder how(if ever) she could pick up the pieces.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3K8naztq6
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLDPhGjNjk
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN2MslEeHX
2nd January 2025436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLMyyjNBzt
6:56 AM436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eqi0k9274
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSVQhVS0Qq
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC3VHcRKep
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. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTgdherN7U
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72uJYzV4AH
“Eve?” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNdUNqCiFH
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5wo7k8tvx
Eve flinched and looked up, her face pale and sweat-soaked. “Robby…” she mumbled, the clip falling from her shaky fingers. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGvckbT1is
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy3hwqzpY8
“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPbZzELVWL
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYrY2joV9i
“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5tbkCHoGd
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYistXTNKO3
“Air?” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwHN1OLk0P
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF4Vd6igYM
“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR2FMqQSJk
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpg0zt23eG
...436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCkTAzFKJF
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmZliMDc6R
“You’re having withdrawals?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuwdDwaBQV
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJN0XwZHvL
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.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv16o7zSmK
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CURnN4oUo
“Eve, no. You can’t—”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlLXW8tNX6
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMrDWCKNbP
“I need it!” she cried, cutting him off. “I’m not a child, Robby. Just open the door! I’m dying!” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb67zLCe5PT
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5bkq9dCOE
“Eve, I don’t—” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWD5ifAXZB
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl2bDAjZw1
“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!” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNZDBbGJXX
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVMH0fjT6J
Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7lJ8R7L1s
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGL3ltd2jA
“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5eT0TPQtY
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkaCmmlpWx
He remained quiet.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB3nGlK43o
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgX8kmepin
“Fuck!” she kicked again.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDDS7p64fe
“Fuck!” another kick.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJkUxUeaWz
“Fuck!”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTNU2hsPKU
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd8iYiSbnM
“Fuck!”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHSOvzJ6z8
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ASE9BQPCF
“Fuck!”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesS9JCWkeJ
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5ay8t5LzC
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpy3Mewal3
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT91jeGIY8O
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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.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAafuJmpgYN
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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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs8uFTUdOU
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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!” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eQjWuAwKe
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Rob didn’t respond. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf3Up47XND
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWQHRAk15d
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hDpZFIyVc
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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?” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjNrFcVm22
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKiS8HQeRg
“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!” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK4TOftPOu
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y0CyIPfdy
Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16PEO3u3qj
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“What?” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WJFYDPZGg
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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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK9Q8istvU
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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—” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0Az8zP6uE
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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!” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUKlViiHrx
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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. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvQPhT75B4
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81jnTLDqzu
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwryFNNdl5w
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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.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U10IxDfoJ
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgbuq2OJqy
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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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDIFRdJ6MI
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc6TsLOsLN
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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.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhLBd3Spc7
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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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKgPKL8zhm
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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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWNpPD47nB
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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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9dWBmgbXg
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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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bDmY6uFoe
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOo4bVlxew
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9dcuKJLPx
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We named her Grace.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U0kVR8WKa
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The End.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmig8TAD7e7
