
BANG BANG BANG*
429Please respect copyright.PENANAsptbnHkmER
Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.429Please respect copyright.PENANAUtc3XHM6iV
429Please respect copyright.PENANAjH4DfZx8Qo
“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAR2GTPSbYNe
429Please respect copyright.PENANAunIMT7cTxj
He leaned over, kissed my forehead, and whispered, “I’ll handle it.” Sliding on his blue nightgown, he got out of bed. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAh7ZNd1XwMO
429Please respect copyright.PENANAo0WyftGUXj
BANG BANG BANG*429Please respect copyright.PENANAvOiYfwPxY0
The knocking didn’t let up.429Please respect copyright.PENANABOo4vCPsSq
429Please respect copyright.PENANAaOSeNJRcp8
“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAU7icpZdsrK
429Please respect copyright.PENANA33ECcza1Lo
“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAibkrWR4C28
429Please respect copyright.PENANAmyT9zH0p6u
He opened the door. “Eve?”429Please respect copyright.PENANAX3oxcVIINo
429Please respect copyright.PENANAaALczH3XPr
There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAqKQZvIZRDZ
429Please respect copyright.PENANAkGIghn1ws3
“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.429Please respect copyright.PENANAGzSHtO1dC3
429Please respect copyright.PENANAisvuO93Am5
Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAB3D6ZtVc6F
429Please respect copyright.PENANAKi70jqq2go
Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAyeg1QDM04a
429Please respect copyright.PENANAuZl2Az2Utn
“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 429Please respect copyright.PENANA6FtPrLNoWY
429Please respect copyright.PENANAPwgEJDlnM1
Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANA0Zv9PAZ2uc
429Please respect copyright.PENANAdK0WlDRIoA
Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAiPQN8CONA1
429Please respect copyright.PENANAWQUaSx9gFz
“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”429Please respect copyright.PENANAwN3kiMqJU5
429Please respect copyright.PENANAyw1iKcxh5g
Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAenpUPlWeVx
429Please respect copyright.PENANAu4Nu1ju3fD
Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAEGMyRPcGVb
429Please respect copyright.PENANA412YZOJFSm
“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAiFXDOStFnm
429Please respect copyright.PENANAUHCVGRdp2U
Eve nodded enthusiastically. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAxWVIINzv8B
429Please respect copyright.PENANATCWwtoNoD5
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.429Please respect copyright.PENANAqSMVb1qw7N
429Please respect copyright.PENANAzec5rK6LKC
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.”429Please respect copyright.PENANANTMqfCQXM5
429Please respect copyright.PENANAtWTYxdCOMW
Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAziDrCipSqI
429Please respect copyright.PENANAG3q111W0fb
“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAfnkd56bP6v
429Please respect copyright.PENANAFARb464JSP
“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAUfNnaXIpez
429Please respect copyright.PENANACuZbkMQlo0
Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANApnO1fbqp3J
429Please respect copyright.PENANAVVhaf9k77Z
She headed straight to the guestroom, leaving Rob and Celine bewildered and concerned. They went back to bed, their thoughts racing.429Please respect copyright.PENANA1qJP3ArZQG
429Please respect copyright.PENANAPJvd7VDUpi
December 30, 2024429Please respect copyright.PENANAInGhFNHOOp
8:02 AM429Please respect copyright.PENANA0A8T9lO8Ev
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.429Please respect copyright.PENANAelm0Xm6kUU
429Please respect copyright.PENANAqMubMkmDis
“Good morning, sleepyheads! I made breakfast. Figured it was the least I could do after crashing here uninvited,” she said cheerfully. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAjYX1kTSDqT
429Please respect copyright.PENANAP5pNGlEyUk
As they sat down, Eve wiped the silver knife she used while making breakfast with a towel. “Well, I’ve gotta get going.”429Please respect copyright.PENANAmNVoSTCaXD
429Please respect copyright.PENANA2JAjcwnl0V
“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAjtIQf0WlzQ
429Please respect copyright.PENANAEnYlBvp5OD
“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAyIpeXaazEn
429Please respect copyright.PENANAC7QmqsNTk8
“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 429Please respect copyright.PENANA7hMWySxBbX
429Please respect copyright.PENANADUs3GA2YAi
When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAwFmtQF521D
429Please respect copyright.PENANAQVf1XYE1Jq
“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAkmoAlxoc8O
429Please respect copyright.PENANAheOO3Wbpnf
Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”429Please respect copyright.PENANAUeQochGTEU
429Please respect copyright.PENANARyvs4p83WH
Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAuFCfdxaQE7
429Please respect copyright.PENANAUD2vOw2UCL
“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAeMisVwAI57
429Please respect copyright.PENANAPvK6Xez3Lu
She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.429Please respect copyright.PENANAGoEbO5bPVc
429Please respect copyright.PENANAqgCa9Ck3kY
12:22 PM429Please respect copyright.PENANA9Vza7TbZSN
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.429Please respect copyright.PENANA5DQhYjzSjd
429Please respect copyright.PENANASn5h3NRLjB
Two minutes later, she went out, her expression lighter, almost joyful. She walked back to her house.
When she stepped inside, it was429Please respect copyright.PENANAmMPCul5RD3
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. 429Please respect copyright.PENANA5AtdINMgSC
429Please respect copyright.PENANA3vMzwadLoM
“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.429Please respect copyright.PENANAOEun0UQk1Y
429Please respect copyright.PENANAY6CwxoRGuA
“Huh?” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAjhpULgZHk2
429Please respect copyright.PENANAiSiHCHUCYm
“Eve. She’s been living alone for five months now, and she’s unemployed. She shouldn’t be on her own,” Celine said. 429Please respect copyright.PENANASq1Nq0nmFw
429Please respect copyright.PENANAfInVgYDv5r
“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAxjnd4WHigs
429Please respect copyright.PENANAX1YSGKbbjM
“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAzGsZg0icOc
429Please respect copyright.PENANAMMfupwhtMc
“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAcnvvLlCZbK
429Please respect copyright.PENANALcwhHVXSLd
Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”429Please respect copyright.PENANAmYutzHZJnR
429Please respect copyright.PENANAQBivpRj5Ln
December 31, 2024429Please respect copyright.PENANAXbZNex30Ud
10:01 AM429Please respect copyright.PENANABGuu1dpadH
“Where is she?”429Please respect copyright.PENANAJaYp8jaXtv
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.429Please respect copyright.PENANAY3EIJAXnis
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.
429Please respect copyright.PENANAHPQgvg5JCF
1st January 2025429Please respect copyright.PENANAOgkR2OlZxN
9:09 AM429Please respect copyright.PENANAlDmldPSJyY
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. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAYZqSnlvhF7
429Please respect copyright.PENANAe1Jexkt8UM
429Please respect copyright.PENANAiWnlk6PkoO
429Please respect copyright.PENANAqAke3aTWh5
429Please respect copyright.PENANAwUx4CSIo0o
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.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAElIXZEHi3K
429Please respect copyright.PENANAfMXREvfMnS
“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”429Please respect copyright.PENANAF4kfYXglnb
429Please respect copyright.PENANAIIR6WetCdo
“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—”429Please respect copyright.PENANAPWmjqObYjv
429Please respect copyright.PENANAWJ4ePhfBp3
Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAkOWIl98UWS
429Please respect copyright.PENANAPE24XLLHCa
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?” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAXTdscFllGg
429Please respect copyright.PENANAIN5INWQr1G
Eve burst into tears, the overwhelming emotions pouring out in uncontrollable sobs. Rob immediately leaned in, wrapping his arms around her.429Please respect copyright.PENANAzoz7FiEvVl
429Please respect copyright.PENANA8JeaGjrIYE
“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAhnD5VMUz0A
429Please respect copyright.PENANAX8RmJlkHB1
“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—” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAogmZf2L7rn
429Please respect copyright.PENANAX3XfblnJOt
“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.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANA7w7QuJxCPm
429Please respect copyright.PENANAY3mfE5bczK
Lucy sighed. “I apologize if I’ve spoken out of place. I’ll leave you all to discuss this on your own.”429Please respect copyright.PENANAs97NpckM2n
429Please respect copyright.PENANAftnYE9fRsF
Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.429Please respect copyright.PENANAQEM93bIUyf
429Please respect copyright.PENANAMGiIozIbfj
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. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAF9AUwJGV0K
429Please respect copyright.PENANAqQo116CPnX
“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.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAUOQpHfGm8b
429Please respect copyright.PENANAC6nritMDr2
Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.429Please respect copyright.PENANA16LtLzXjLd
429Please respect copyright.PENANAazD0J1oEtr
11:11 AM429Please respect copyright.PENANAQmG2X495bj
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.429Please respect copyright.PENANA1wvOU5NXJM
429Please respect copyright.PENANAs4fektgmgY
The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAEIPSh0MTRU
429Please respect copyright.PENANAFavdMioumy
Eve’s New Year began with a crash, leaving her to wonder how(if ever) she could pick up the pieces.429Please respect copyright.PENANAGmY0Z4D3KJ
429Please respect copyright.PENANAEEP5AZPNIo
429Please respect copyright.PENANAqJfzDCjvZN
2nd January 2025429Please respect copyright.PENANA5rZSlYekCZ
6:56 AM429Please respect copyright.PENANAdnAsxpQiwe
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.429Please respect copyright.PENANAjRqQ6zcWdY
429Please respect copyright.PENANA9qKneddkoR
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. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAbC0tKyzcxN
429Please respect copyright.PENANAXWYwYBvmgX
“Eve?” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAtzQ9nVUtCl
429Please respect copyright.PENANAoJ7Fzeas70
Eve flinched and looked up, her face pale and sweat-soaked. “Robby…” she mumbled, the clip falling from her shaky fingers. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAuGMBued4p6
429Please respect copyright.PENANApIMDAQByZw
“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAjuhcEhQfeN
429Please respect copyright.PENANAWnDUdz2z0u
“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAdCvMQPtHFt
429Please respect copyright.PENANAvpwAyr6pkb
“Air?” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAluSF0wvvmp
429Please respect copyright.PENANAoJKC6ixPGT
“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”429Please respect copyright.PENANAgGt9vyh0Z2
429Please respect copyright.PENANA3WRr1isOkq
...429Please respect copyright.PENANARADGgDJyCO
429Please respect copyright.PENANA4RWnQPjaqJ
“You’re having withdrawals?”429Please respect copyright.PENANAWeXwBHsA1L
429Please respect copyright.PENANAT7G38FbfKd
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.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAbPRl3neFbv
429Please respect copyright.PENANAFonC7BUkxp
“Eve, no. You can’t—”429Please respect copyright.PENANA8xZa22JuTd
429Please respect copyright.PENANAXkRXyL86Lr
“I need it!” she cried, cutting him off. “I’m not a child, Robby. Just open the door! I’m dying!” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAvONG3AFcSI
429Please respect copyright.PENANAUpCFKYkLhX
“Eve, I don’t—” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAIP0ZRGuTtA
429Please respect copyright.PENANAlYAsDzBaUt
“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!” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAlFNpXMIHUW
429Please respect copyright.PENANAau0dCHjllM
Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAIgP8OKIpho
429Please respect copyright.PENANAooOwT26N6C
“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 429Please respect copyright.PENANARiNDQmu1Gc
429Please respect copyright.PENANAaED1EQQlaG
He remained quiet.429Please respect copyright.PENANA5nYmTZUBVm
429Please respect copyright.PENANA9DDFYkilEQ
“Fuck!” she kicked again.429Please respect copyright.PENANAZNjDd62Jli
“Fuck!” another kick.429Please respect copyright.PENANAfLGFttJALg
“Fuck!”429Please respect copyright.PENANAaeTqRhAPuk
429Please respect copyright.PENANA34AzmOWlsQ
“Fuck!”429Please respect copyright.PENANAdaG7jgFNY4
429Please respect copyright.PENANAJKYRgqI7px
“Fuck!”429Please respect copyright.PENANApcqLE8rb5g
429Please respect copyright.PENANAdbilGxeZ9X
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.429Please respect copyright.PENANA7GBo8iKVEC
429Please respect copyright.PENANANAUvYl8vnl
For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANANrf2Xl9Hqt
429Please respect copyright.PENANANiShTe7HUA
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.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAVwvVL5Ao2x
429Please respect copyright.PENANA17hiEuKC1o
“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.”429Please respect copyright.PENANA4nvNJEgjlg
429Please respect copyright.PENANAUR2hVLx2Ji
“Then you’re doing a shit job, because I am dying, right in front of you! But you won’t open the door!” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAscYt2KIyqt
429Please respect copyright.PENANAiHhWbydizw
Rob didn’t respond. 429Please respect copyright.PENANALpog9zQZeo
429Please respect copyright.PENANABRUigK5jEC
“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.429Please respect copyright.PENANAMrj98Bilx5
429Please respect copyright.PENANAgaLvwIq1jr
Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 429Please respect copyright.PENANA8ajVuo0htN
429Please respect copyright.PENANAgCXHiNparj
“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?” 429Please respect copyright.PENANA8v4BcymOxc
429Please respect copyright.PENANA75zKV8Fs9k
“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!” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAho9cj0nVqE
429Please respect copyright.PENANAHOSJPSaovk
Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAy5Iuze5VdB
429Please respect copyright.PENANAtrimxiAUFA
“What?” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAR5UYn2uEoS
429Please respect copyright.PENANA9kmS3Kwrw3
“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.”429Please respect copyright.PENANAwYAqCxAjF1
429Please respect copyright.PENANAaRPnjNQvoy
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—” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAozo3hm92t2
429Please respect copyright.PENANAoL42bgkSi3
“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!” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAelS2f4RImQ
429Please respect copyright.PENANAB6rj01cYZ2
She turned abruptly towards the kitchen counter. Her trembling hand grabbed a silver knife. She held it tightly, pointing it toward them. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAPDsj2llMEB
429Please respect copyright.PENANAMCZHv7Yh26
“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAEv8Qzaemp7
429Please respect copyright.PENANA3cetHThFXz
The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.429Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1fUr14DCr
429Please respect copyright.PENANAKauodnHKng
“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.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANAz6bgiWsXaN
429Please respect copyright.PENANAsplmP033pq
“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 429Please respect copyright.PENANAt3Vtd0P28t
429Please respect copyright.PENANAnzys0R6Wj6
“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.”429Please respect copyright.PENANAOigvsbU9co
429Please respect copyright.PENANA7Sxfl2j8cI
She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 429Please respect copyright.PENANArTgezEumId
429Please respect copyright.PENANACWYnxH6vCA
“It’s fine if you hurt me,” Rob said as he took another step forward. “But please, Eve... stop trying to hurt yourself.” 429Please respect copyright.PENANA5NH5kINUG2
429Please respect copyright.PENANAh0rW4Hi5xS
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.429Please respect copyright.PENANA1KiMgtBhgV
429Please respect copyright.PENANA9rnW3PRwRM
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.429Please respect copyright.PENANAF050GAHhy8
429Please respect copyright.PENANAxLk0w8zgew
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.429Please respect copyright.PENANA0syMpKG7gt
429Please respect copyright.PENANAEmC3VI4J1d
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.429Please respect copyright.PENANAThVrVVYDze
429Please respect copyright.PENANAYoaEbmukOk
And then, four months later, she gave birth.429Please respect copyright.PENANAeevTkNizTH
429Please respect copyright.PENANAX9J1FsvylP
To a perfectly healthy baby girl.429Please respect copyright.PENANAojP3E9JJSI
429Please respect copyright.PENANAtA0TkfUnXk
We named her Grace.429Please respect copyright.PENANAdIkWvqQIG5
429Please respect copyright.PENANARua8IeqnKi
The End.429Please respect copyright.PENANAALWWtymQdJ