
BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.363Please respect copyright.PENANArO8ZvcwKys
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAdvIbJqFLmz
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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. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAEgjpAI0htu
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BANG BANG BANG*363Please respect copyright.PENANAag2Um7j9kJ
The knocking didn’t let up.363Please respect copyright.PENANAxxGa5FTdms
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAtIhlviJ9Gn
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAxH6YjSSnTz
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He opened the door. “Eve?”363Please respect copyright.PENANACe3nGIUYQe
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9olrUuYpt
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.363Please respect copyright.PENANAED1JrJ3Qqt
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAC3qu6igPyg
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANA7EGxfqPSjP
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“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAe4UDf9947P
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAfBGT4BUqey
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAmwm7K2gjFf
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“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”363Please respect copyright.PENANAMM9H7EPwlo
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Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANANtIMmjL5ue
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 363Please respect copyright.PENANA59H4ArDRVt
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 363Please respect copyright.PENANA6AFsev6wLn
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAJulSSK44Cv
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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.363Please respect copyright.PENANA4hCHmvvflf
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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.”363Please respect copyright.PENANAktQqHbDVfA
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANABfiv89l2WF
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 363Please respect copyright.PENANA3mX04ryurQ
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“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAwKrQieBCYB
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAa2tuN8s2vj
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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.363Please respect copyright.PENANALDNW7K4UmS
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December 30, 2024363Please respect copyright.PENANAC1J7kSjCiV
8:02 AM363Please respect copyright.PENANA1uBB3xs3Os
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.363Please respect copyright.PENANAGxXOciUVEI
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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. 363Please respect copyright.PENANACeyRmaILwA
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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.”363Please respect copyright.PENANAywvfOlH4c7
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAedVkdt6q31
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANABYXWtSKFQr
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“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAj5oNEBuGJA
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When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAwmTKm5GKjr
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“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAvclUkFTWNB
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Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”363Please respect copyright.PENANANOAtIRfySY
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Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANALcjlJAG3w0
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“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAY9aNN6eYNG
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She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.363Please respect copyright.PENANAnhKe3wql9t
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12:22 PM363Please respect copyright.PENANAb90c6FD9Os
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.363Please respect copyright.PENANAHeBqjy7mM7
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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 was363Please respect copyright.PENANAm9ACyzZQqd
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. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAr4WWHrkfj9
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“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.363Please respect copyright.PENANA2QS8GGP72P
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“Huh?” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAhNt97LMK4Y
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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. 363Please respect copyright.PENANA0PIcq4fzu0
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAV2Irs2kxIP
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“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAMCdLTOcq1P
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAMUbQNoejvh
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”363Please respect copyright.PENANAscFaNGXMA8
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December 31, 2024363Please respect copyright.PENANAchrhWx2yIw
10:01 AM363Please respect copyright.PENANAZRQnh7PbVa
“Where is she?”363Please respect copyright.PENANAvTsuKsXGIR
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.363Please respect copyright.PENANAeM8q4P2gRy
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 2025363Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0bIO9oIGF
9:09 AM363Please respect copyright.PENANAeHrino5TOM
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. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAyHeZrcMaAQ
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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.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAksX1ZOECso
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”363Please respect copyright.PENANA9QCEA5XjSq
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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—”363Please respect copyright.PENANAp5uS9JlUG8
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAnw9C5sSYuB
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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?” 363Please respect copyright.PENANABrvavOcabn
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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.363Please respect copyright.PENANAUiMrbWGgfm
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAoVNoOJ2pin
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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—” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAX1Dbgd7zgf
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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.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANA512FHFuEGe
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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.”363Please respect copyright.PENANAm1kBrNSI8E
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.363Please respect copyright.PENANAtFCinntBHp
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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. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAVkQFL5XhbF
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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.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAwXF6LcIqjk
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Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.363Please respect copyright.PENANA7bPUzBwtRl
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11:11 AM363Please respect copyright.PENANACOVPM52iL2
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.363Please respect copyright.PENANAaHd5nYeV87
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 363Please respect copyright.PENANABmA1DImX4P
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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.363Please respect copyright.PENANAHcLHrieQef
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2nd January 2025363Please respect copyright.PENANAC2LdAhEOia
6:56 AM363Please respect copyright.PENANA46CATPZ6Ar
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.363Please respect copyright.PENANAtEuUAtiqsz
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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. 363Please respect copyright.PENANASJ2Uqt06s1
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“Eve?” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAWsZaBH9UTR
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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. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAIimhHDMLGL
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“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAljKsrPKwrj
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“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAk0WjTMb4hV
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“Air?” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAdHd398dEuh
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“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”363Please respect copyright.PENANA8L5jdqxMvq
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...363Please respect copyright.PENANAJhWIHaRu1R
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“You’re having withdrawals?”363Please respect copyright.PENANAY6H2BfcVX4
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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.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAjU56Wz7jXU
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“Eve, no. You can’t—”363Please respect copyright.PENANAzfwyUm3G0j
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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!” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAygLtEKU2JG
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“Eve, I don’t—” 363Please respect copyright.PENANASpH7HqBfzQ
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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!” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAFo2aequfwg
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Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 363Please respect copyright.PENANA4Gu3OtMcWo
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 363Please respect copyright.PENANA4aUR9w3Zqj
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He remained quiet.363Please respect copyright.PENANAuqdfj05rhQ
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.363Please respect copyright.PENANAWsvf4Srod2
“Fuck!” another kick.363Please respect copyright.PENANAeudBI9qXaH
“Fuck!”363Please respect copyright.PENANAHsqwRgjxuZ
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“Fuck!”363Please respect copyright.PENANAEmfSHMFbMt
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“Fuck!”363Please respect copyright.PENANAsGXNKmBD8B
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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.363Please respect copyright.PENANA9xs779qJnM
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAJtsxKVsJJU
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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.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAoVHTyvYH9y
363Please respect copyright.PENANAx3M0tGms36
“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.”363Please respect copyright.PENANA3OcvX1pPNL
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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!” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAeDKnkeziit
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Rob didn’t respond. 363Please respect copyright.PENANA6Aao5dm1qp
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.363Please respect copyright.PENANAArDPNbIp9j
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAChCLudsLNa
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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?” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAjehO3BE9a0
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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!” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAoMuHOKXJMa
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Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAbvMGMMjXzZ
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“What?” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAp8O2XpYnPI
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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.”363Please respect copyright.PENANAX2r8PKFT2F
363Please respect copyright.PENANAhjcQKVzfJE
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—” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAFPlr5Rs3rD
363Please respect copyright.PENANAaRLCLJFgEl
“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!” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAwlNirDSbJL
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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. 363Please respect copyright.PENANAyFXvBEdgs5
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 363Please respect copyright.PENANA0aAwWDzWxD
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.363Please respect copyright.PENANACeNT23ux5j
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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.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANADFb6YijmXJ
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 363Please respect copyright.PENANA1CjiUJSNiZ
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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.”363Please respect copyright.PENANANe3ahb54ZM
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 363Please respect copyright.PENANArDFCRmO1aw
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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.” 363Please respect copyright.PENANAuggzS1HvD3
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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.363Please respect copyright.PENANAtBFya6813o
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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.363Please respect copyright.PENANATSzZWZIQP7
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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.363Please respect copyright.PENANAdAOOvu7uB7
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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.363Please respect copyright.PENANACK6WjHUxP0
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.363Please respect copyright.PENANARHhGdbQSHL
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.363Please respect copyright.PENANAAuelsjqvHr
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We named her Grace.363Please respect copyright.PENANAmxJjWToRJ0
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The End.363Please respect copyright.PENANAEl0A6n6S3d