parents, my home, my sense of safety,
n... life was
people
ike the air in my chest was punched out as I stared at
how did th
ank onto the closed toilet seat, the pregnancy test still clu
late shifts at the grocery store, the constant worry abou
p down,
at sleep couldn't cure, and the way my body felt differ
ied to recall how it happen
g blurred
deeply, fragments of that night
sive cologne, soothe hands that
d frustratingly out of reach, lo
nst the bathroom tiles. The sound seemed to echo through the thi
eeded was question
n floor when my stomach lurched violently. The smell of the cleaning so
ng the wave of nausea, but it was use
at's wrong
itchen doorway, her dark eyes were sharp with curiosity. She'
ch ache, but another wave hit me harder. I clamped my hand over my mouth
eard Tonia's d
lf into the toilet bowl. Each throw felt like my body was betr
back of my hand, Tonia was waiting. Her lips curv
, aren't you?" S
you're really pregn
e lie died on my lips as anot
iod?" Tonia's voice gre
How long have you
, plea
voice rang thro
COME Q
e house. Tony emerged from his study, book still in hand. Aun
t Martha demanded, her sharp eyes taking in
gnant!" Toni
nd I bet she's missed her
hat followed
ansform from confusion to r
crumpled i
Aunt Martha's
rds came. The weight of thei
wer
, and the force sent me stumbling backward. My hip hit the edge of the kitc
rtha loomed over me, he
our house! After everything we've do
" I started, but
een holding back
going to go con
irty stories above the city. The morning sun cast long shadows across t
ed for m
oice barely penet
y." He said, with
s,
or, leaving Damien alone. He pressed his palm against the cool gl
him inhale sharply. A woman's laugh, soft and genuine. W
is
ly as it had come, leaving h
his tie and turned a
he elevator, her laugh ec
on the examination table, my legs dangling like a
ons," she sai
eeks pregnant. Everything lo
ed at me, let out a smirk, and
omed," To
a bartender, I..I.
was sti
as heard despite the closed door. She was already on th
r after she was don
er arms crossed and ra
for this?" The wor
e floor, my ha
on't know who.
voice was shrill
know?" To
ed hotter than
ot reme
" Aunt Martha sai
ven remember who