x
BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnXvThfWus
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd6uRz1EMQ
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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. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7a9MoUFvW
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BANG BANG BANG*19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs4DtQqDcA
The knocking didn’t let up.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5g4VtEj5K
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FKhs5C9pD
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5tJf3p5fS
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He opened the door. “Eve?”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCSSxc5LXP
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulVxCnkpLf
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdExBGQs1pA
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlOYDkWBMO
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4Vlfnofyk
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“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopTyNM1vQF
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvGSDBv51D
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxawvUaBrnE
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“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFPqlXX1v3
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Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ku40Yl1Qh
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9uDzchu5x
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwKkqJ5oGX
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxdXU1bPCT
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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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3P3Tc8VcF
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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.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi59EcQ0CXO
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVcnGGMd8i
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4HKY6sEDl
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“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2ggIGWHQf
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7dtGEWOv5
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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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMtlkL4hR1
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December 30, 202419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6ClVXYOXM
8:02 AM19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E4TAI2KpI
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb1htkrCQx
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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. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoUcArf92n
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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.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cqPdmHz4m
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0PILsoxJl
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxielQ2gHQI
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“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajyHxsKdjC
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When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHcUvAd0ZX
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“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GxWJtE4Ed
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Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy67uxHIBvp
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Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPdnrTG6pR
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“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOEAoSlrea
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She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvMbvAvM35
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12:22 PM19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0JDQqUq5b
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss9L2IPFEE
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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 was19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBqX35KBBy
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. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWafocXcoQy
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“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwiEzDE76C
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“Huh?” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAsSBLAcCc
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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. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3C2lI4dn9
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwnXpxIhHV
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“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHAgTJ0Lo0
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoOaVHgdFu
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOCMZOvvg2
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December 31, 202419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvC5mGOzGg
10:01 AM19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBefZtsoTo
“Where is she?”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfKVJ5FPlD
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfdlZROEBw
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 202519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJi3oKqZnQ
9:09 AM19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQHYGcBbN0
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. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUkybOSwWi
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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.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA9VNBQ9En
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZGIFPdJC5
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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—”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun5kXTYbBv
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6ze6EHRky
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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?” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj39WjP4s2s
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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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzbNAlwEFR
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCa5hNm5UT
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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—” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR47vKvFmzH
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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.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJGUxL7Hkn
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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.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgIXS113uV
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy7mpNjB4M
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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. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3tWOaIVfb
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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.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR9b5jKRg7
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Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTI8ghdsND
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11:11 AM19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4OnnFUoAq
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ2lPQWwqT
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iFuhDOGUY
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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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNWHyVslq3
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2nd January 202519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfAvz7oDRm
6:56 AM19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXdPBe2AG6
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2Umirv8XI
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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. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8Yb6oQGkj
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“Eve?” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE7bR8jMop
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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. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfd9LCSY7S
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“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSLq4Oj4o2
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“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmZdky3bLr
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“Air?” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOt4UQfGYz
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“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pDPokFwb5
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...19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwngYs8eyCB
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“You’re having withdrawals?”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3rA7FlgBk
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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.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72O3o31M8w
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“Eve, no. You can’t—”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUzcbXUx1n
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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!” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeas0SIVkUt
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“Eve, I don’t—” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAdEEDEVVy
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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!” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaMBj3CkoL
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Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIoxbVHNgz
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTNbOPoFIM
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He remained quiet.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9guhEDcXj0
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf34AJS0sQ
“Fuck!” another kick.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF7rpf1S6R
“Fuck!”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgxVhyHpQ5
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“Fuck!”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheWLG4u1Xr
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“Fuck!”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoTk4xm8Ih
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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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ64Lnu7mp
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJLHamK47C
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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.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p3ClHYYmN
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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.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx5JPOEoYy
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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!” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aIOLYwZza
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Rob didn’t respond. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihishZ8TSD
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2pbFAElOb
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZLC6BcTA5
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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?” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXSpqDaBjH
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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!” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrkIahcPK3
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Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCBWojsRtx
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“What?” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQk7UiCMPh
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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.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcWuUBBglR
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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—” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnLIg1VnC6
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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!” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb6mksV7wb
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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. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPflQUEPGk
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOonYDHnoa
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsTxv4447l
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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.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ928W1CZAWh
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96GOhxC2Pg
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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.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTzNcm5mvz
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2XjZdIveC
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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.” 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dDy2tqs4e
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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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWQNNawcD4
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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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC0dMPJavs
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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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCGv4xBAQ2
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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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQVAQ6gzrh
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w1OAyilPN
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv81kOpioZ
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We named her Grace.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWJ96R4Os3
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The End.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6gNqZBrHC
