x
BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13eBThLC8i
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YkJ7WPqMo
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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. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMwIIudrhe
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BANG BANG BANG*206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uW2b2qEEi
The knocking didn’t let up.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJcgmyL3jO
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2etvT6W18
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxUXyEwBcR
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He opened the door. “Eve?”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKTKDHx5wa
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSPPNGqTyi
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOx3wwGZoE
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tpre4xmRj
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDgkHtbY4r
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“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXpO1hqa4n
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLU9L9UPnk
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSmEu5oGZ5
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“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hEsZemyf5
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Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAId767xU4
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMtuJ8pXTS
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEWJEMI75P
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUbalnTsnW
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpGr0VS8iL
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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.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbVOliIU0b
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu8YI4s6Qd
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmZkXWcv0q
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“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6Q3NUbVxy
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVdrFeK8J8
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv2jIBVh1a
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December 30, 2024206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4nz7113SF
8:02 AM206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbjCK3Zt48
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJVFoXpA18
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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. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcvySIpeA7
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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.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rZvynI6b6
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uwUt0gpub
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgZl5Vypyq
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“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9dfDowOPo
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When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNFGKHwNID
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“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd5WoHoSH2
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Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU1JEe4DTg
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Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaSQSNEKsD
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“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RnnPHNXYW
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She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJfnPyskYL
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12:22 PM206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3ssol9udI
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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f6GoSZf6h
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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 was206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3klwJG1HzE
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. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIwiqh3LPr
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“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkN4othxLq
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“Huh?” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6xSjQTc05
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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. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyAcuHbo2J
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFVba5VZ9Y
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“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiow3m8TZZ
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FCebAB3ev
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDfcuU03Bb
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December 31, 2024206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoKziqxv5N
10:01 AM206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve2zx1Sq4j
“Where is she?”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zy26Sa1H5
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7KgfDL9mc
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 2025206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e2AeyiOea
9:09 AM206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8r44W5L7x
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. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXDesDfUIx
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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.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ70VwQzpI
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ2gfFSDTX
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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—”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TNwttK09F
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyFTwzvE1N
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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?” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaorbWYBu7A
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDJkUslYqy
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRODR93sL6e
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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—” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSadng2SG40
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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.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0yJH9OZjt
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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.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWn8WKwX0x
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43uSNrfy6N
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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. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMy0TmDR4R
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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.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01tzcESYVT
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Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKBGc8UHEL
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11:11 AM206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx7CiVqrSV
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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpCoJfR12d
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVE9Akguhd
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TqtPxG2xR
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2nd January 2025206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYNiIywSpy
6:56 AM206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNWFxR1pwK
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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE7H4DBG8d
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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. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sIK6y6ypy
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“Eve?” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKyMUsRqfa
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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. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHnahNFpjP
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“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENdsIH3xbY
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“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefwhtqDk4x
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“Air?” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24XLUMPKxf
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“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCopZ2y1cm
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...206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILID0c4SNW
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“You’re having withdrawals?”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuSVDd5XzU
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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.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq7iSGiDIA
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“Eve, no. You can’t—”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaynRyCZfcP
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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!” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVUzcFp1vO
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“Eve, I don’t—” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkbsXumy0m
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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!” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEp2mHxYNO
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Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImzZpWH5HY
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYEqB7qRLn
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He remained quiet.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XrEEHChMt
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOxo8M0AYM
“Fuck!” another kick.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuJsqsCUQ6
“Fuck!”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlil60LQYxv
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“Fuck!”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKwa031w8H
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“Fuck!”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYUsrO4udo
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSUmmQWaGV
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLU7LLxm5L
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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.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XPjVuzgad
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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.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkTksHzMjJ
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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!” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVoAznLZiD
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Rob didn’t respond. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3on4Erkq6
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cjFYTwJwR
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj84NJ8y1M
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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?” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgg4mvEksO
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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!” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G1SWaprcO
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Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0WgklTwqv
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“What?” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYayP15lmU
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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.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU8r7oQXjU
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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—” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWzB6tjLEP
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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!” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NHjAUWMW1
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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. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1QY1cqZR1
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ965TDPmTsi
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUdgee4EpN
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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.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiyMeIEYNh
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthgpzIPTFR
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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.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3MeUxlGsN
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls4d4h5ryQ
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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.” 206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhScpapBUMx
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFhUIsevbI
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26uNkzFGry
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsUJOwT6Vz
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSjKvyzspM
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhiLeEfsql
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SfXsRZlKI
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We named her Grace.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcCS9REtMD
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The End.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBNKQGWf07
