BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax3wNcQskH
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeYv6KRILi
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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. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF2fueDA8v
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BANG BANG BANG*409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMOknJGyqc
The knocking didn’t let up.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAMY1SCKM4
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtKIoUTjII
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmnvY5nIG3
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He opened the door. “Eve?”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpZGaYJHyb
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24R4DuuhRW
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNJnw6zAYz
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjTIO869G2
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFUpHQueDm
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“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JCmCu61Ke
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcWu1VFeTR
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7ugWaSHE0
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“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLolu6vEqTU
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Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEcPHrVGuP
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HPXciE3GN
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z0Llz0z1w
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB7499tpRv
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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.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56XQOpLHVn
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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.”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlth6EnJls
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVNhxISUAC
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh5EJHcGoB
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“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg8zk43Ygt
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMaxgwQAqM
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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.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt41TplojgR
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December 30, 2024409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ2WIcmAk3
8:02 AM409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpJuodKQid
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ4VP5nEZE
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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. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddTXwBm7Yi
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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.”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaxBWSbk8w
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcznzBE2W8
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhBZ8uYQQH
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“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5SparEc4z
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When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42CxJNRm9m
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“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg650YPyTe7
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Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Fqhr5C1pi
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Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6sOhw3POd
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“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIfHK2iJsh
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She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEboQnLERi
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12:22 PM409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFDA0gd8T3
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.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIyekIozuJ
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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 was409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWlWyvXAKx
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. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPywnL0iMEW
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“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTpfEXnTZb
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“Huh?” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiFWreL7Vz
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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. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzncF4X2QFt
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dW3zcXWew
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“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRNE6spDMd
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTPeCeOEgT
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCeMfMDrxP
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December 31, 2024409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdHcFTKG24
10:01 AM409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWygntkG1Rs
“Where is she?”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBwuqvsMo1
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddRY1K7Zq4
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 2025409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqNDN34S7O
9:09 AM409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1egoPcMOJ
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. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoN09ELYYj
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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.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAfZqO0oKS
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2xiWtQ1Hx
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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—”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9YyTqqcTz
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaGCp4NXKY
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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?” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMvEKt6lfT
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Eve burst into tears, the overwhelming emotions pouring out in uncontrollable sobs. Rob immediately leaned in, wrapping his arms around her.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokf3nQnkch
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04hPi0pSg0
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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—” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQrxdHWAsZ
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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.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G6idr6BPU
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Lucy sighed. “I apologize if I’ve spoken out of place. I’ll leave you all to discuss this on your own.”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCzciTp0C4
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqBqjYcak6
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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. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J1SOQgdoZ
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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.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkoF4Xiihq
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Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBNNevWM9j
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11:11 AM409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hSNeNvsqp
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.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBykliMCKdT
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi4dib9Khn
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Eve’s New Year began with a crash, leaving her to wonder how(if ever) she could pick up the pieces.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdVTCvZXen
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2nd January 2025409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQkbJ5wJAI
6:56 AM409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8qelQ7X1q
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.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQINjnckSB
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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. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2gqvEdSFn
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“Eve?” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYtaZEvMxM
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Eve flinched and looked up, her face pale and sweat-soaked. “Robby…” she mumbled, the clip falling from her shaky fingers. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeu5p0Oiqu
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“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kgK0zBP3R
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“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScLTg81NrL
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“Air?” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVRIJCa7h4
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“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7ip2FWkGB
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...409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG3tjDDXbr
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“You’re having withdrawals?”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UGYf4obAd
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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.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBkv2fFh8g
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“Eve, no. You can’t—”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRE3MbJnvS
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“I need it!” she cried, cutting him off. “I’m not a child, Robby. Just open the door! I’m dying!” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMMaptcuMs
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“Eve, I don’t—” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJPFpxCfWv
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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!” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5QAkhaUgH
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Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1zuf7EziT
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1Z7OKP6Xh
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He remained quiet.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT3aq4ktgM
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbmFHWqG5B
“Fuck!” another kick.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03lwZijkrf
“Fuck!”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhJdBice1g
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“Fuck!”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgvRjKcbzc
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“Fuck!”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl4JlbSgjA
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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.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgcUP7XM5D
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLno9zg7rBe
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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.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXcgQhz7pX
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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.”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eIS9KzvCF
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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!” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfVtocLx9l
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Rob didn’t respond. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQxIRTPdnH
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOv3hSdNeI
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPXiKqRq4W
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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?” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9YSrDgWM7
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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!” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5SBr9DSb9
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Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQzvyY1xQT
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“What?” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9LvjcDSns
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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.”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKMwkoNXzF
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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—” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFLkZ3Pp41
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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!” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVV3wmcqBAp
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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. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY4hrFueSY
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPbrrKaRt8
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt6CZ3w1Xu
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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.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXeku0S6Sf
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTD4KnQkCr
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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.”409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3eWSKuNOj
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7Ca4txW2W
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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.” 409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfAIDZQwBx
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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.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kMR8rvGPc
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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.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrqJLbU3v0
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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.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKDwGDcG2Z
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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.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ICzFnREWl
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jsvm7kjYU
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglAXxMjWEu
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We named her Grace.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafShZIjZNX
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The End.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJL4Vr5mkf
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