x
BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprAj6yS77j
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR53kuxt1CW
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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. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuMQDj0LEx
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BANG BANG BANG*199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCobBCqsrK
The knocking didn’t let up.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErxeAdXPZt
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBBXLRZRPD
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8M9aolCTK
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He opened the door. “Eve?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh5Cfe6kFI
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDGHf5aSf6
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x1fKF7E14
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m7F3Y0Ua2
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjoafCLlaT
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“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKbGvwU31i
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXIpntewa8
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMG6AtS6vw
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“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvHa2RUkIP
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Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnLnFDoJdm
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpQrPptuhT
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQatU4SiseC
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7yIvgkpJv
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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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsxJDKuJxT
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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.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtCTYMrc7j
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qeinZR9Ts
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkIfFDtlhH
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“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9zlBPvnrl
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVAW9iubhk
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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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEEdulPywb
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December 30, 2024199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ScPiNNS3r
8:02 AM199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN76uroU7Pw
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dMuixD4Fu
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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. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyEDWJduev
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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.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypHrr5kPMe
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrCO7Qogh1
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kZl65jvgz
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“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAniORGlm9P
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When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq2UEouNDA
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“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtAIpetG9p
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Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabZZ5XPf6U
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Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaaoo6vNy7
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“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eJcIbEV7E
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She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw2CAuAMy1
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12:22 PM199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8ZO0jLfGH
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDRIlpiR3R
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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 was199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy8ApKbNvU
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. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup7ccrmTQU
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“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEPU3pGzVV
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“Huh?” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslv5EHbmFx
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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. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSVA0QRBeR
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VOLTJE053
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“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk53ppx5pca
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDBm9cDWcE
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U4Yd6vOjT
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December 31, 2024199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsZxcmNFDy
10:01 AM199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIwXFbV8GY
“Where is she?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajqqRMJrnk
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XikrZ7KeI
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 2025199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdqzBPI4m7
9:09 AM199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWZ7LauWtl
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. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajFlnDDwuM
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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.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijhZpQAgEi
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw3JaHFmqT
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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—”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQsaDNPXV3
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSONeAa1rjs
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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?” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1yh3urbEn
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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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn6nlAEJc2
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMt87GQz9f
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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—” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeotupxFXCa
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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.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6th8afF6B
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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.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVBiyHrMNU
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UbRxDi4WH
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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. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0heVJEjEb
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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.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBVbkAsQtk
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Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahr1wbkjn4
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11:11 AM199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qdJsrp1zF
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqz8UXttHu
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiYL64W4Uk
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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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrsML0rEQb
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2nd January 2025199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiKM4H1WXo
6:56 AM199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjBqRA71ft
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnJY4QAR3E
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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. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXofYDBbZ1k
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“Eve?” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes5mh5nR1n
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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. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnry3yj1gm
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“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxXc0fpYV5
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“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04OMh9d3kl
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“Air?” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ebm28tzrX
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“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6tDcGAKZE
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...199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJkqJJWnZF
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“You’re having withdrawals?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIunucc8s3
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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.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXewq7Hvzm
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“Eve, no. You can’t—”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIs4AeYXMW
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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!” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjqfx0tFgm
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“Eve, I don’t—” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQLcmoeHBS
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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!” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLPj1fV0Hs
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Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM04cf1d66
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSOCXIIYs9
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He remained quiet.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LfiB9tH3P
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqPhWPiBpu
“Fuck!” another kick.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlMlp0NFIn
“Fuck!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11OA5NHol9
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“Fuck!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyFyx80xWr
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“Fuck!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAvDQhKvt6
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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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN305h4udG7
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNhGybIjRo
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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.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3zvcqmItv
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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.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cz0jbpmFJ
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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!” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RhbUBdpZG
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Rob didn’t respond. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hEio1Y132
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL0uOtwUrJ
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkl33ziPPm
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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?” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq9GobpiKY
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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!” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGinyBiBnC
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Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOnH6QcbOA
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“What?” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmBkP0p8Bt
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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.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmL4j4y6kZ
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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—” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiokVG22V5h
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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!” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHV0JQvwiJ
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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. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt0DV53py4
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMzAhhe1Py
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJJLWTNgFO
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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.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMlSEcH526
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2WKfHbSjj
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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.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Y6AoQrR8
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Evi9qcYxH
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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.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS8euhnshr
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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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YlJT25mej
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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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fkIA1c5T3
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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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD0GccASau
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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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw8pqsVu5t
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkVykxyvNR
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIIf0q1TqF
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We named her Grace.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUSz7yFQFA
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The End.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVHBKvnH0V
