l

ks, worriedly pacing back and forth. However,

n't like my thoughts!" She breathes heavily, leaning against a

and why I didn't pay attention to that detail before. I mean, I don't have a regular menstruation schedule. Howe

y sister scolds, unable to contain her despair, and resumes pacing inside the

oment!" She interrupts me. "And

I have one more reason to leav

wall behind me. The worst part is she's right. Nobody in their right mind would want to hire me knowing I'm pregnant. And how will I manage when t

e going to

I promise," I say, moving closer

the nausea came weakness that drained all the strength from my body and a sense of sleepiness that seemed never to leave me. The day

and everyone was already talking about marriage. Damn it, I can't sleep anymor

bed when I became dizzy, and my vision darkened. Nervou

nt downstairs for breakfast, and strangely my sister wasn't at

uspiciously I settle into a chair without loo

of coffee. "Are you pregnant, Olivia?" The sudden question startles me, and I accidentally spill some of the hot coffee on my

e spills onto my clothes, and tremb

p? And you didn't even ask me to buy this month's pads!" I close my eyes, reproaching myself for th

girl!" Dad orders,

serving myself a cup of coffee. "Are you pregnant, Olivia?" The sudden question catches me off guard, and I accidentally spill some of the h

pe my lips. Dad stands up abruptl

are fixed on my dad's movements as he begins to unbuckle his belt from h

don't

ryone will talk about your promiscuity, my daughter! Everyone will point fingers at us as irresponsible parents. Oh, God

I didn

ding a hard slap on my face and then a sequence of slaps that I try to avoid until

d rudely demands, and my eyes dart anxiously

know. Dad

NAME OF THAT BASTARD, OLIVIA! He'll have to be

etort, a mix of fear and impudence i

t, and I close my eyes, anticipa

Kim interjects, standi

get out of

gnant, and you can'

my eyes, expecting the burning sting on my skin. However, it doesn't come, and even without courage, I

o leave my ho

plea

imperative tone. Kim casts me a pitying glance

e will I go a

miscuous slut in my house. I want y

but she turns her back on me, and all t

, go to y

, Da

GO UP,

r whispers without making a

r a mother anymore. I'm leaving now, and when I come back, I don't want to see you her

n living, and choosing a cozy home to welcome my sister and me. However, I'm pack

you." She hands me a colorfu

t's

lie. It's not much,

, I can't a

eceive the small bundle from her hands and hug her again. This time, tightly and for a long

se, looking at her hopefully to f

you right here." I nod

don't forget

you need to go before they

gh, for myself, for both of us. I didn't think it would be so hard to leave, but it is. After al

here to really go. When I start walking down the si

s. I need to look for a job and a

, Ollie. Your father would

a few days. And he doesn't need to know

leave me without clients overnight. You know his influence

finger that he gave me a few days ago. "This belongs to you. I would never be a good wife for you

Edie begins, bu

nterrupt, already feeling the we