BANG BANG BANG*
711Please respect copyright.PENANAmvhDXU07Uz
Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.711Please respect copyright.PENANAhaqvGNNPL6
711Please respect copyright.PENANAk8GNImvxgz
“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAR593Y8TWPO
711Please respect copyright.PENANA4hYorKVpih
He leaned over, kissed my forehead, and whispered, “I’ll handle it.” Sliding on his blue nightgown, he got out of bed. 711Please respect copyright.PENANA02xMs1CyTI
711Please respect copyright.PENANAyDuIJyEgQS
BANG BANG BANG*711Please respect copyright.PENANAEPgQqjTx3q
The knocking didn’t let up.711Please respect copyright.PENANAdwPV732qJB
711Please respect copyright.PENANAterbpM1KZi
“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAgZovUkovH1
711Please respect copyright.PENANAD8bqxL8dSL
“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAn9Z8QYD5Ud
711Please respect copyright.PENANAne4vIEXx4M
He opened the door. “Eve?”711Please respect copyright.PENANA0gskbMQCSH
711Please respect copyright.PENANAw2JL4YIXMG
There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAHpPNaIewzi
711Please respect copyright.PENANAmRcr5jUnzA
“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.711Please respect copyright.PENANAVY0Aww1Njw
711Please respect copyright.PENANACvefqcdmEb
Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAfDWV4NWr5i
711Please respect copyright.PENANA4GT6CJkqnr
Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAsqo8s3WEBZ
711Please respect copyright.PENANAOL5aMs7Nvl
“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAm1Ic0uJkXS
711Please respect copyright.PENANAauUnakdLoP
Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAzUDxhNJaRM
711Please respect copyright.PENANApDDMqq28RX
Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAFdYZ8Sejrf
711Please respect copyright.PENANA2IpqFulhuD
“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”711Please respect copyright.PENANAabLWVAe0ga
711Please respect copyright.PENANAdVFsgpDcgk
Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANABRNUnu93d9
711Please respect copyright.PENANAHsIZAfTFfr
Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAGs9Ss1C5rr
711Please respect copyright.PENANAEnjr5gzDGU
“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 711Please respect copyright.PENANA2IPGaQCUm5
711Please respect copyright.PENANANJQnHIh6yZ
Eve nodded enthusiastically. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAeUsFpcw7QB
711Please respect copyright.PENANADWfCt1SfC2
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.711Please respect copyright.PENANAvkm3o7DwUN
711Please respect copyright.PENANA26eFXFgbzH
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.”711Please respect copyright.PENANABx82jiKO3R
711Please respect copyright.PENANA5QkhXLzZ6A
Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANA7j6Cmoigjl
711Please respect copyright.PENANAv00OchsDXQ
“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAr5dFrcQHYh
711Please respect copyright.PENANAia5Det6NyV
“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAeiNHGotL4g
711Please respect copyright.PENANABa60hG5mnp
Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAJsAlCMNxmF
711Please respect copyright.PENANA3TXltiJhg1
She headed straight to the guestroom, leaving Rob and Celine bewildered and concerned. They went back to bed, their thoughts racing.711Please respect copyright.PENANAU1DIe42oCN
711Please respect copyright.PENANAAW4UR1yuMR
December 30, 2024711Please respect copyright.PENANAmgLFfw1E2Q
8:02 AM711Please respect copyright.PENANAgZsUJIda7u
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.711Please respect copyright.PENANA1B7UoMYMPc
711Please respect copyright.PENANAEx2XHZwtVg
“Good morning, sleepyheads! I made breakfast. Figured it was the least I could do after crashing here uninvited,” she said cheerfully. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAmNmjWtSRZh
711Please respect copyright.PENANApynITOOYXK
As they sat down, Eve wiped the silver knife she used while making breakfast with a towel. “Well, I’ve gotta get going.”711Please respect copyright.PENANA7rrdGdCcIM
711Please respect copyright.PENANAHgpCwVDqZh
“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 711Please respect copyright.PENANA8lPPvMiPgE
711Please respect copyright.PENANATJ6gItYaJG
“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANA4EKwNyhUMl
711Please respect copyright.PENANARLDQyUyJqf
“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAm5C9wGP2kA
711Please respect copyright.PENANAeGlaZJK04o
When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAiDGomLVC5I
711Please respect copyright.PENANAehevov3qsB
“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAg01IXkgGZ6
711Please respect copyright.PENANA3BJh7yi2LK
Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”711Please respect copyright.PENANAfVCNa8CuRZ
711Please respect copyright.PENANAV8t3e3ylwn
Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAQPNohCNoPc
711Please respect copyright.PENANATkUrJVpXjI
“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANALBM8g8YXlL
711Please respect copyright.PENANAPTcYnwRCkz
She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.711Please respect copyright.PENANA1o4BTa1G8E
711Please respect copyright.PENANAVdLU3YeRaC
12:22 PM711Please respect copyright.PENANA39oIpUHafL
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.711Please respect copyright.PENANACCinW6o6xx
711Please respect copyright.PENANAdkFOKrG0rH
Two minutes later, she went out, her expression lighter, almost joyful. She walked back to her house.
When she stepped inside, it was711Please respect copyright.PENANAFCmWnUXH8m
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. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAUaaUnr2PEo
711Please respect copyright.PENANAuSQCe3eocB
“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.711Please respect copyright.PENANAwkSvIXEkpE
711Please respect copyright.PENANA99dOZt4xqp
“Huh?” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAwAnAF8yPVZ
711Please respect copyright.PENANAVnMPKBJNM8
“Eve. She’s been living alone for five months now, and she’s unemployed. She shouldn’t be on her own,” Celine said. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAysL4VwiPBd
711Please respect copyright.PENANA6R7Vva1ZBb
“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANA0eyRAU46gP
711Please respect copyright.PENANABKjTIaoI1o
“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANA81jbmfzzCr
711Please respect copyright.PENANA3L78qni6Tk
“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3ExvOcV04
711Please respect copyright.PENANAnkb31WNm5p
Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”711Please respect copyright.PENANAmM3FeSoPry
711Please respect copyright.PENANALeObOb7r2X
December 31, 2024711Please respect copyright.PENANAGvhJ8Skbqe
10:01 AM711Please respect copyright.PENANAypjtJqsi1a
“Where is she?”711Please respect copyright.PENANA5PAeEfwPgu
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.711Please respect copyright.PENANAxZrNrljQ0Z
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.
711Please respect copyright.PENANAhbHfchb4Q2
1st January 2025711Please respect copyright.PENANAgefiXI75KQ
9:09 AM711Please respect copyright.PENANAdswBBOeZR6
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. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAoOpNoj0Hk4
711Please respect copyright.PENANAC58At7EVIa
711Please respect copyright.PENANAZDtVt9U5md
711Please respect copyright.PENANAljXcGcvOJb
711Please respect copyright.PENANA9xgyt1uDcr
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.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANA9H13ewO11y
711Please respect copyright.PENANA2gI9tUTJA5
“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”711Please respect copyright.PENANASNDoXIi8W0
711Please respect copyright.PENANAMcDcQMfRXZ
“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—”711Please respect copyright.PENANAhYwSb4OJZO
711Please respect copyright.PENANA9wowUDYktH
Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAJndnwRxky1
711Please respect copyright.PENANATw1ba8bMfK
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?” 711Please respect copyright.PENANA5SmMQgvo74
711Please respect copyright.PENANAdKxXtOl8NM
Eve burst into tears, the overwhelming emotions pouring out in uncontrollable sobs. Rob immediately leaned in, wrapping his arms around her.711Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7qST6SdIC
711Please respect copyright.PENANAy9QvJEO5zx
“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAmhvw5ZnFle
711Please respect copyright.PENANADpFHzB7nds
“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—” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAhX6oaMkmwR
711Please respect copyright.PENANAalIuPNlTTY
“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.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAhmn4h89BUK
711Please respect copyright.PENANAGMKJZbVym4
Lucy sighed. “I apologize if I’ve spoken out of place. I’ll leave you all to discuss this on your own.”711Please respect copyright.PENANAFmRsuFzdJp
711Please respect copyright.PENANAL5qilP2nuY
Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.711Please respect copyright.PENANA3G3zkFcMKQ
711Please respect copyright.PENANAJAEbHntY9G
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. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAVPjmUMThCU
711Please respect copyright.PENANA0PcIOh7NGc
“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.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANA5VJr1tFTBm
711Please respect copyright.PENANAVpaFaT9QWG
Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.711Please respect copyright.PENANAkjVZnyX4MZ
711Please respect copyright.PENANAGOcxTsGdVb
11:11 AM711Please respect copyright.PENANAV0flWLO2Dj
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.711Please respect copyright.PENANAbzl149dhm8
711Please respect copyright.PENANAot6r8iKKaq
The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAQhm6wgy6ph
711Please respect copyright.PENANAPemV2U8r5w
Eve’s New Year began with a crash, leaving her to wonder how(if ever) she could pick up the pieces.711Please respect copyright.PENANAeCMCwjsnkq
711Please respect copyright.PENANASpn4jFqTez
711Please respect copyright.PENANAFBNZ7lhLgf
2nd January 2025711Please respect copyright.PENANAaVGRTg2nLF
6:56 AM711Please respect copyright.PENANASuLvYVL8kx
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.711Please respect copyright.PENANAHPCnYeTeOg
711Please respect copyright.PENANA08VMSewKmG
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. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAvQLYaQx3nG
711Please respect copyright.PENANANkEbFiayQV
“Eve?” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAoaXwiZlu96
711Please respect copyright.PENANAjbHwBK1f5X
Eve flinched and looked up, her face pale and sweat-soaked. “Robby…” she mumbled, the clip falling from her shaky fingers. 711Please respect copyright.PENANArE1UChnD4R
711Please respect copyright.PENANALixgphi3Xn
“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAmCEBRag8NE
711Please respect copyright.PENANAlnoxdxcdRq
“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAWJE6AmELSd
711Please respect copyright.PENANAYuaaM9aQQO
“Air?” 711Please respect copyright.PENANALTCjyhbmGZ
711Please respect copyright.PENANAfzX1JvxNyw
“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”711Please respect copyright.PENANArKJ880UsZu
711Please respect copyright.PENANAc14jF5mXX3
...711Please respect copyright.PENANAKOquZhI9dz
711Please respect copyright.PENANAgc2fCDKx6m
“You’re having withdrawals?”711Please respect copyright.PENANAO5Nee2nc44
711Please respect copyright.PENANAv8j8ouZvFy
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.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAKClwuz7ZE2
711Please respect copyright.PENANA7xGRrQCfGK
“Eve, no. You can’t—”711Please respect copyright.PENANAWngWN8syzo
711Please respect copyright.PENANA4KhpHFKhm9
“I need it!” she cried, cutting him off. “I’m not a child, Robby. Just open the door! I’m dying!” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAQAyHNbNqJI
711Please respect copyright.PENANAwWgFRLFait
“Eve, I don’t—” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAqZYDmQjdOR
711Please respect copyright.PENANAU0EsdADDQI
“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!” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAfdXr7boGg6
711Please respect copyright.PENANAUXz9iJjNsM
Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAw4hSGKdk2w
711Please respect copyright.PENANAzBhLwnXAuT
“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAk8fx8hNvyE
711Please respect copyright.PENANAmOqiFdfoGk
He remained quiet.711Please respect copyright.PENANAiU9XxbhKG2
711Please respect copyright.PENANAotlBAukduj
“Fuck!” she kicked again.711Please respect copyright.PENANA4PWl2Qcvy2
“Fuck!” another kick.711Please respect copyright.PENANAcmS6lBtTE5
“Fuck!”711Please respect copyright.PENANAUaX2zMqqts
711Please respect copyright.PENANAv03fudaKBN
“Fuck!”711Please respect copyright.PENANAbTqqAMF0lU
711Please respect copyright.PENANAwbUbG32J88
“Fuck!”711Please respect copyright.PENANAjEi67JmTzr
711Please respect copyright.PENANAOPA08JmjGO
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.711Please respect copyright.PENANAcPJmvZy3Ow
711Please respect copyright.PENANABKEM5h5iPe
For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAaFzy0f6Qf0
711Please respect copyright.PENANAhXJ3GOSA9p
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.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAeWH5g101iE
711Please respect copyright.PENANAqjiss8Dty9
“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.”711Please respect copyright.PENANAoPWpmFSXNi
711Please respect copyright.PENANAHR0KVo3Gks
“Then you’re doing a shit job, because I am dying, right in front of you! But you won’t open the door!” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAXgS4Ie0nQE
711Please respect copyright.PENANAmnL89mpv1U
Rob didn’t respond. 711Please respect copyright.PENANA424K4Qfdqq
711Please respect copyright.PENANAnQLcfsq7E3
“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.711Please respect copyright.PENANAz9Fg45RAgA
711Please respect copyright.PENANA1cPkgWD9PW
Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAXTBEe6jX1h
711Please respect copyright.PENANA8x9pP6mkr5
“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?” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAWwFRmNhUL7
711Please respect copyright.PENANAgAQLRJ1qT4
“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!” 711Please respect copyright.PENANASBD4dA9I4r
711Please respect copyright.PENANAxDj0lHpUUV
Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAeCC8ClPXdv
711Please respect copyright.PENANAO8ivtAH3jV
“What?” 711Please respect copyright.PENANA2T1k8V7aw6
711Please respect copyright.PENANAMbbVSa0UA4
“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.”711Please respect copyright.PENANAw3JPUMlOdW
711Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4A8eeI1cd
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—” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAr2c9R5bYC2
711Please respect copyright.PENANA1VkDsatGYY
“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!” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAwQz0AuSoXg
711Please respect copyright.PENANAGy4u23U6of
She turned abruptly towards the kitchen counter. Her trembling hand grabbed a silver knife. She held it tightly, pointing it toward them. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAB5z8tksn0P
711Please respect copyright.PENANAT21E4blydN
“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 711Please respect copyright.PENANA3ylED6vJpw
711Please respect copyright.PENANAdqWFk7cLbb
The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.711Please respect copyright.PENANAFLrkvD64Cv
711Please respect copyright.PENANAIXuOUZ94D9
“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.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAip3nIkMxkv
711Please respect copyright.PENANAUdi2bGDiZC
“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAN5KUCiwjDo
711Please respect copyright.PENANA8isrGnBsxm
“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.”711Please respect copyright.PENANA9DPWv9gqiD
711Please respect copyright.PENANAvSURD1v21c
She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 711Please respect copyright.PENANAgvVafzDfd7
711Please respect copyright.PENANAIKIYsDkkXI
“It’s fine if you hurt me,” Rob said as he took another step forward. “But please, Eve... stop trying to hurt yourself.” 711Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0EXA9h19x
711Please respect copyright.PENANAemdisg30CH
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.711Please respect copyright.PENANABKAlFPQOFb
711Please respect copyright.PENANAFoiX4gfsQx
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.711Please respect copyright.PENANAe3tNqdSzLy
711Please respect copyright.PENANAwvB5IEC0oi
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.711Please respect copyright.PENANA2F1nASeI5p
711Please respect copyright.PENANAexA1pmX3L6
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.711Please respect copyright.PENANAxnq1epRprw
711Please respect copyright.PENANAuCln5H2bDL
And then, four months later, she gave birth.711Please respect copyright.PENANAze81mPuvy6
711Please respect copyright.PENANAsbQuUk9Ug2
To a perfectly healthy baby girl.711Please respect copyright.PENANAqjmygjiDkM
711Please respect copyright.PENANAU2M7ajey9a
We named her Grace.711Please respect copyright.PENANARC0yoo2cn0
711Please respect copyright.PENANAf1k50LArar
The End.711Please respect copyright.PENANAnPpMUiClKb


