x
BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXj7yS24Vr
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSrdKSNFkd
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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. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNz2vy021i
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BANG BANG BANG*359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2odxHAYvH
The knocking didn’t let up.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT6gn1EG5C
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7kgFyE30k
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK4ctQSRsc
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He opened the door. “Eve?”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLwfoQELfi
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhJy8auc7E
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yfiBaymnX
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjGoDF5BKV
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGhRn4meJV
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“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYUF2RvbpT
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UeDHX8qHg
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBIR2XeuOU
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“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDIkl6tsmV
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Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjbnMN18ez
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWLq9uDC0x
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG3UykxEKr
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWpUEhTmvE
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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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr9Ipw2A2L
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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.”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLvaQyY0pG
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ivn2dfhUY
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvIwqPkE1C
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“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMIA22W7RD
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUAY9EunW4
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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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSHyXb0MFK
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December 30, 2024359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLH5EmEst9
8:02 AM359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R12CNyVTa
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOMpztj2wx
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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. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqv6X7iTaZ
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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.”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6T3xc3C57
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr95SXFnu14
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6unBHvMzS3
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“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53DwYBEOem
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When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo7jrSszxu
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“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8Oa99hGde
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Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4l8LUSDHc
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Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSskjG07dQT
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“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Iiy9uwaF
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She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxcL8Z6x3O
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12:22 PM359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJBHUAzxSd
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bVgUia8L6
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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 was359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn1M8B07hp
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. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRwI90ZWux
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“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMLZIoov4i
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“Huh?” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bd6c4tyP1
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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. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI4seRKpiR
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDRgVelnon
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“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo3klvRab4
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f8wpgZXaz
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FzYvfLZQU
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December 31, 2024359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYqJbqWJQF
10:01 AM359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CFP33BSUr
“Where is she?”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKAQDQH6sH
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCTl0X3eq7
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 2025359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnut4Iicg1
9:09 AM359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWOUK6GGLv
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. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a5QwcReSo
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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.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz8YUxlxGB
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6m8jN9SYj
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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—”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QGteGwn6b
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5nRPa6wuE
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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?” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszsvII5WES
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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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpSnwFh6c4
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDav4WXplcR
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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—” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjsGkbZHDl
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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.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUHS1ht7zY
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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.”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhyxQ4jxQ2
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYXplTn04H
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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. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcatUbRZPN
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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.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PiHFbSlzF
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Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOGaywsKv3
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11:11 AM359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc4UathOoG
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg5URK2GVE
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ0RygWZIX
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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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgcgzk5kQ6
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2nd January 2025359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHETFLnZT6
6:56 AM359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3B73H2e6O
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHrKGBt55o
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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. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANMQhDiVE6
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“Eve?” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCZ0hj92M6
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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. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7ngHLEfTR
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“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVp9QQePlo
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“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFt2iDf5mU
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“Air?” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb65n6nSHV
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“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxccLDhaBT7
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...359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nTjvNcwz6
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“You’re having withdrawals?”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXKxa8qlgR
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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.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbmv6K3276
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“Eve, no. You can’t—”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vE6YAE3r6
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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!” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyZNXLP8fk
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“Eve, I don’t—” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xLix8d7TV
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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!” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoiP1dnrm7
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Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsKHYR2nfX
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWPHMnQ9RP
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He remained quiet.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyCvNRiVSJ
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavVVml2iDA
“Fuck!” another kick.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhZfgNd1tU
“Fuck!”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzKjE0owxq
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“Fuck!”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi09Btbe7Lo
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“Fuck!”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg8Bb1mWHy
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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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfG3s8Z4vC
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FNRA0J5Ve
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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.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5sLtDvAfS
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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.”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwNaeodilq
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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!” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR3ekfPNwI
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Rob didn’t respond. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsLLwtvi47
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjOeMhMe1X
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSFAcl3FC9
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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?” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NHnqEYLHB
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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!” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehYZRc76pw
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Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw3uGg81t6
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“What?” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYqPF6ykK0
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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.”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIywV3aIwLT
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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—” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyH7u3EKRO
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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!” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nr4yt6Qar
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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. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoWZC7N22D
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K0eDGMry3
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lR9bXZtsT
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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.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRsi8Grvny
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1K23LPDZz
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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.”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJt9UhKNS3
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kqIUScPWE
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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.” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7jlCTnDgw
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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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4LoFRSBgZ
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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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1PJ5AT9Zb
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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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqP9w9qODz
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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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K98b3aoUT
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNDkUe9Zkv
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9cuWw8UkP
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We named her Grace.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRawhvndiY
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The End.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0Echia8se
