roke down, Dominique

able. This-this pregnancy-w

Antonela flinch as if she'd been struck. "After everything

e pregnancy test into the trash. "That man never apologized for the humiliation

silent. Antonel

grew frustrated. "Because if you don't tell him

r mind. An abortion was out of the question. It didn't matter that the

torted. "This child is the last

in her throat. It was hard to breathe.

uld she raise this child alone? How was

er his roof," she murmured, the thought slipping out before she

wide. "You're actually going to go through with

ered, her voice sharp. "And this is our secr

er decision, and knowing her well, no

ding they get out of the restroom. Lost in the crisis, they'd completely for

ering wheel, clearly unsure what to do nex

inique asked, h

hield. Dominique sighed. "Do I take you back f

," Antonela said quietly. "The interview is in

d at the thought of pa

aching over to squeeze Antonela's hand. "If th

from Antonela, but the anguish returned

rview," she said with a flicker of dark humor. "He never knew

really goin

h tears. "I need to take control of my own life. Maybe...

she leaned in to hug her friend again.

asked, her voice choked as

saved up. I've been putting it aside since I was a te

bbed her purse, and pulled out a wad of

refuse-it was far too much-b

relented and took the money. "But you have to promise you'll come

, even though she knew it was a lie. She wa

er father's angry gaze found her immediate

orrow. After that, you won't hav

ook before turning and

she sorted through her belongings, mourning the life she

mise to the life within. Her child would be loved so fiercely, s

mily dinner. Ironically, Henrico wasn't there, and

er favorite dish, while her sister, Alessia,

y person in this house

t love, and the thought of disappointing

esca said, beaming, completely unaware tha

t looking up from her phone. "All Antonela ever doe

it back a sharp retort and for

longer, Alessia," she said calmly. "You'll ha

gently, her expression clouding over with sad

it w

she hugged her mother tightly, using her

s, each creak of the floorboards sounding like a betrayal. Dominique was already w

. Not even if they pressure you," Antonela said,

ed, hugging her one last time, her own tea

bus and found a seat by the window, rai

and Dominique's car disappeared from view. Only then, as the rea

e city to have her child, c