x
BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFoouNogvV
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFTeIgLo7X
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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. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTNtV4W8lk
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BANG BANG BANG*230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIsB8Sg0qh
The knocking didn’t let up.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwZ8AzA6j4
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4AfzsBi3V
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9AhD9ITC6
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He opened the door. “Eve?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVEV4oM1qC
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mwfowWDaz
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugsdRzY5Le
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkjAsVLE0O
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhedfWdbFo
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“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv8ztkjE0o
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASXow710Wl
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa4CfOzhUP
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“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MHvzV0UZU
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Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO81XObX8yS
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb2Wy2hyVA
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37Sr5lltaa
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWNRQBWQ2m
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwNgOnxaL2
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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.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfJCl2p38T
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIraEd5lLfQ
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzVrkCyz1Q
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“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxQbZNiS78
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwnTtq1CJ7
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1FBZ8p2aa
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December 30, 2024230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmxr2IN0df
8:02 AM230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYqT6hiqNX
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLphVNaeI38
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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. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcXKyQhcIM
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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.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGinMvb1Bq
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgLWnICJ8M
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggwTTqaXP1
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“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi72APL2Ud
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When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNaJVdFTUg
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“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyWPayOYzn
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Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYAbBx3NCh
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Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn3fO0bTMf
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“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchYAbo0vWh
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She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOAbjeMrC4
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12:22 PM230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSEIrispQ3
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzyUtjgEIT
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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 was230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXdQMWda7G
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. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yZSKZzI2t
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“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEyNzYgGix
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“Huh?” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9XfUEAyoc
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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. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpzoNSbLHw
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRN3SUSFqM
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“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCROeauBUI9
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobHyUBM2Il
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5FvdYPoAs
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December 31, 2024230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4CmBZtJu4
10:01 AM230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3YzXGP9Yz
“Where is she?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUoLoS2C1y
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxjahtAQK9
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 2025230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp39FoisUi
9:09 AM230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMuq9sfKZK
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. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qlBW9Gy57
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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.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc50VsxqAtE
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYp6a0v8XY
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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—”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFI6jI2xS0
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI2Lml0R3C
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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?” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGja19aDPC
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPv1TVtlrR
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOrUFNidTa
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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—” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2KRKiuN7m
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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.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKprjvDAJIX
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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.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQHiRjlRJ7
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB9v2KlhE3
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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. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbts5rMVnv
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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.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmPo5HLEnl
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Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYvBb1USpr
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11:11 AM230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkpG4Extg6
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoMPNvtGSK
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK5cEElUVB
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDrrbqZqAj
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2nd January 2025230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolkGlsD7JT
6:56 AM230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mBgmfyQ3r
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx34P0LV0O
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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. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKTc4qV28y
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“Eve?” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQbFqO2qBG
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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. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv1YUMWNeR
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“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOdSIqiuVB
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“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoll83yOo9
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“Air?” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m89aGmO5L
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“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdQI03L7gF
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...230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV0F34GmfC
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“You’re having withdrawals?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iI4Xpgh4J
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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.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmFkIC1pA2
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“Eve, no. You can’t—”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRGSR39kr1
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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!” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeUDoGrapm
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“Eve, I don’t—” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPdEt7jLcZ
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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!” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IXlHfnHV2
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Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7yxYUfFQq
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNTAWNpFbk
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He remained quiet.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD3vojYoLY
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvIaJQP0Wz
“Fuck!” another kick.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEIKc1e6pW
“Fuck!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv58aUbclpK
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“Fuck!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp54sLbrYvx
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“Fuck!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XPw3XQTRw
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsjlygSlu0
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlVoAWkVeM
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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.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb210CFTb7L
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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.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUHuFlm2dT
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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!” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyi9vc9UGj
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Rob didn’t respond. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1gD6KvEL3
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbul3IBMbPD
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Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRKvAqHZ4y
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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?” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJqTWPIPUz
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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!” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpjOFnbQvm
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Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6MTYZqe9B
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“What?” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrEX4eZwEh
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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.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YPxcDPJOJ
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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—” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOweDWNXNCq
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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!” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6gWhmeCNM
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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. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdjnBOvTYP
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt73Chwngf
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HaiwYVCQo
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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.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqL2ipCM3U
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“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrB2QmpBES
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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.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhynzk8hTH6
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcIa3wg6IZ
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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.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZVeISW0vd
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMwjdunsX3
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtg6e5Re9r
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68ChTdSIqR
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXHP9kG0I5
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xix2GsH2x
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3jzUopG7r
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We named her Grace.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmu2cdkCdv
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The End.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCouFMPJdhD
