x
BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNpC4o99YO
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3DNRoISpI
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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. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcvOC79pbF
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BANG BANG BANG*204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHBbmegyCW
The knocking didn’t let up.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk0AmMRfTB
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcov3WO8MQw
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq3DYKFMTv
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He opened the door. “Eve?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeqhmNvUCg
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphGVMlHz20
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycUbCb2I4P
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqipZvmlsCx
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxLz8EXK6r
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“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh5AjEPRcX
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BLq2xe9nW
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JwN2IoQ3t
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“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkdBrzBDwZ
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Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp9y0DWDAn
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv5WGAszmM
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTtO3lwsZJ
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U2mLJa79S
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRHFkxgACv
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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.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHF9dW4XW1
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CjOvDeI8I
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLUmJLVyjt
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“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0u9WEaH9x
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXJqf3kiOA
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvM9QwqoXZ
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December 30, 2024204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoqHlHvDVn
8:02 AM204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82clyaHvI0
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCa5KEQs90
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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. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDO9MAx0iJ
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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.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJy0K1DNI2
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXidqyGenZ
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9wSeYFq8T
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“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXk0U7eIr0
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When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHsX7g3eA4
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“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf2L10hWHU
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Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpttzv3Llhu
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Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk0o4SZyIP
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“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLjeh3HJvF
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She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d6puZ68DX
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12:22 PM204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvdfzgJpn9
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRf3dYWnJl
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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 was204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm9St80Vhn
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. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqelVXwZX1u
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“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFGSEQXTk6
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“Huh?” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMxg9eH5QF
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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. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8J48uvanc
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t286gsqZG
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“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2AHjAB6IX
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOFB3DfCBf
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9WWuRyFb1
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December 31, 2024204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKqICQQitg
10:01 AM204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAYgbqvRR9
“Where is she?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM386I9ABS
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbhd2YCN4s
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 2025204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqi2ENvOjT
9:09 AM204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNXXPHK7W9
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. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBngvRHH7j
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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.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuc5DGCU2b
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvbXVLQpr0
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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—”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce9amzhkLX
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoFrVK3kv5
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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?” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kyNlX9BGD
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWjDR2s1LS
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFZigiAc0H
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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—” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUIcRzJYQC
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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.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZqw4wTrUv
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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.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMh3acjXoW
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tgX9UkjTp
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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. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn28tusCbC
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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.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vGgexmmBh
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Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKosLbWZfF
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11:11 AM204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUANeMUXHfi
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSFdt5JSeX
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT86QWWFDB1
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRNAarVwdC
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2nd January 2025204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokn9ZTrgma
6:56 AM204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1nDJQ5Nyx
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc87I6bNSSc
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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. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS2MIAIeYZ
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“Eve?” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw55yKHGLBn
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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. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOANwiQj2Nv
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“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ6NGX0ofH
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“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDICQDmt6G
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“Air?” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpbsQIJxKV
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“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWNckw2s2O
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...204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4EIYDiXtT
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“You’re having withdrawals?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzPnk7p61S
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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.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4abtxUPweM
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“Eve, no. You can’t—”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnZo6uTKY4
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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!” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnG2UDkluV
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“Eve, I don’t—” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKYazl6Zew
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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!” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlzdlJVBHA
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Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOxk3YSkwG
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyijUGIw2J
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He remained quiet.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxX8QXjECZ
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaPeqdZhPc
“Fuck!” another kick.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPqgywIl4w
“Fuck!”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeVaxNw1v4
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“Fuck!”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNsu7RnVmA
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“Fuck!”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO6WHjJMaT
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrRN0CV3uh
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRbPY3vImk
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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.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c7VRtmAml
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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.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa10ZaUAOs
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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!” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDASkdvsGx
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Rob didn’t respond. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0KrpZpkOH
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Udjso2Sgy
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6uonDZnb5
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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?” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxArFcdGF5
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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!” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlggNXeHvv1
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Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAujm72M9J
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“What?” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbasGzALIs
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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.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdVB6Qezjr
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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—” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc2Gl1x1V8
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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!” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dWiZv1DBL
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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. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1bGDZgUjt
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNgqSClrmQ
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOiig3ui6B
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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.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXlu2d7B5H
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZTpenS6Tm
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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.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZEvYzntKw
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcbRRfW9U2
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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.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ6fHW0sRO
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV201vNuML
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29n0FYoLh6
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNB64mqDfy
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrFOLTLWLj
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy0uSdiyZ6
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XmzDSFZOC
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We named her Grace.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0PIdYHzte
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The End.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaL5HR8G1i
