x
BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTWcNJ9mXl
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyeuEwBSuG
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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. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM5aMFWycN
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BANG BANG BANG*18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNMDZWdPZF
The knocking didn’t let up.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDKj2rLEoK
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFoeXcotip
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xIXv2M5es
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He opened the door. “Eve?”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OyN1hbklK
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw6Qd482oV
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml8CE15iGa
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbeppcfy7U
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4aMxsqzMM
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“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEOlsqVU6T
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6nkU3KTGp
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW8ZjxwVOn
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“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgelhFG2K3q
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Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS1YiKaIlm
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h9Gx8tFHj
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy7nwwSZ3r
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyj5NUSVW2
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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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTlMUiV0CH
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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.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnimzEUUJA
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJdDAQXI89
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRHIainkGD
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“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpteRI2HHS
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3q3ZuWxMe
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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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P8UeUZfal
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December 30, 202418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWms1M0kqL
8:02 AM18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4AbhYL4VA
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvt1doCb2d
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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. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukrxuvDsmO
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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.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEyWNsTdyC
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbBJIEPc9Z
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2Zuw0NWz6
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“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNsqlNivvt
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When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjk0l7ddfi
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“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalZIe85e0h
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Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdN7uqNL5B
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Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngf5FwmtiY
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“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OQILzQalb
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She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8YSqhoiL7
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12:22 PM18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQyKL47uPK
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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC93cHaemL
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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 was18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA7mhgY29W
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. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xVpuZ3515
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“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4OVDspER3
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“Huh?” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMMufnC9Tz
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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. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC8ud1wM6m
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi9VadsCUk
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“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSf9xFm2AT
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4ZhpCtugE
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9DJUsMg3I
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December 31, 202418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvbiypKt5h
10:01 AM18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo17AtbU1ob
“Where is she?”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW07sq67uP3
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYqRBu8MBW
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 202518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPaAK5A8Xj
9:09 AM18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqAzOVb6hY
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. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqsYr6ZUCL
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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.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiX0QsM6Ed
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0dpIieytV
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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—”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttIaz5Ivp6
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAMHl5d1vj
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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?” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo0lz6Ob2o
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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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWaMBW5Rne
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPuGuTUexN
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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—” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafKYHty7iw
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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.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iesNd9NYV
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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.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y0Icbd7Pg
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohi6nOpYNm
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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. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLcNCCbz93
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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.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VezcVQdMG
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Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZr1T34aD3
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11:11 AM18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuqolYLO5n
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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk2f1KA3e7
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t3SBGywuP
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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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYMHZgNJ2o
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2nd January 202518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR792RxwOHG
6:56 AM18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4vSgZYVRx
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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6UwU341G4
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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. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJeP7gVrNH
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“Eve?” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMY4j1iIvl
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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. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw7vcjZqDA
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“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkxvYFiodr
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“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF1AGY7vjd
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“Air?” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl6iRmsFWz
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“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEnQM1Ljd6
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...18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcndKBmZ7D
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“You’re having withdrawals?”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmUOrbtygR
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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.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ087Ijqz40o
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“Eve, no. You can’t—”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73z4jS6ouO
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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!” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU041ufBtHt
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“Eve, I don’t—” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr1pFuSrP1
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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!” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkXjF9puEl
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Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfus4FKK1Qj
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIJvo8JMPb
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He remained quiet.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltZxEr4a8F
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFR4fYVQLd
“Fuck!” another kick.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SoWPfBiG1
“Fuck!”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQSY2Qf7sa
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“Fuck!”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgUcz1BG8S
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“Fuck!”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M5WpnLQMH
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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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEt9atAbqY
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfzKYn7u6i
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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.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyKE6cBK8t
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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.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlDjb9gEIs
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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!” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIoCRPHzdm
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Rob didn’t respond. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobNJAA0Nw9
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclyJxgGf27
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOTZWu6xcZ
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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?” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslE8fYwyaO
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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!” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFcE9AUPJD
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Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwBNqEG0wF
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“What?” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI2aUqLDnx
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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.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rByq9Fhex
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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—” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsr2H8nRG8
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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!” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O8WAYL6Fd
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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. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYXzwR9Znt
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWRCOjZkbV
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rpmDi7dkk
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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.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg8Avwz7f3
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFTpSUULZm
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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.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxSizq5ElP
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3gVGe2LWk
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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.” 18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5SaRtnzkg
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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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaNuqLe0cS
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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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs68XqXtNn
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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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHNDVSsEEb
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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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0Nw89TxVY
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GJxRrW8vB
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw4bLCjMOW
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We named her Grace.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPklQEYlsq
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The End.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfztaotXbp
