BANG BANG BANG*
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Rob squinted at his phone. 3:33 AM.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKxMz1AiSP
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“Rob…?” his wife mumbled, half-asleep. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE8qfRXvCd
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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. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EsdiZD1Er
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BANG BANG BANG*697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsNjN7GNVa
The knocking didn’t let up.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ3JOXuACP
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“Who is it?” Rob called as he approached the door. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AkKDuVevH
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“Robby… it’s me,” came a low, soft voice. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2hklpMKVB
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He opened the door. “Eve?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxMY1balQr
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There, standing on his porch, was his younger sister. A smile stretched across her face. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXwcTAVfL3
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“Hey, Robby! How ya doin’, bro?” Her tone was light and playful, almost too casual.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDPyjEHBXV
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Before Rob could respond, Celine’s head peeked around the corner. “Eve?” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFH2hMxrhU
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Eve’s grin widened. “Celine! Hi.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvLaNEe22G
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“You’ll catch a cold out here,” Celine said. She reached out and gently pulled Eve inside. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRzhEoo26G
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Rob shut the door behind them. “What happened? It’s the middle of the night.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVNWlqDP3z
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Eve shrugged. “I was taking a walk and thought I’d drop by. Y’know… say hi.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygAmrLcY5l
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“At 3 AM? It’s a four-hour walk from your house to here!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfBZACnNgz
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Eve tilted her head, genuinely perplexed. “Four hours? Huh. Didn’t feel like it.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs604UmJBG
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Rob exchanged a long, wordless look with Celine. Their unspoken thoughts buzzed between them like static. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7bzpgOSfG
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“Are you hungry?” Celine asked, breaking the silence. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vUZ6emfrT
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Eve nodded enthusiastically. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSazqBUiVwf
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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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4bOnviuS5
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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.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEVNbN54Ee
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Rob frowned. “Going? It’s 3 AM.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryGtpNPb65
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“Yeah, so?” She stood, her carefree grin unwavering. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkabDIvaFxu
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“You’re staying here tonight,” Celine said firmly. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwKjmjS4Kf
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Eve hesitated, her expression flickering for a moment. “Fine, thanks.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdf3zMawEw
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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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQeGSErlTq
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December 30, 2024697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS9iMX2ebf
8:02 AM697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVyqfgpvDh
When Rob and Celine woke up, they were surprised to find Eve already making breakfast, standing by the stove with a bright smile.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SE9sapLA8
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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. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi7XNhjVYJ
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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.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfsPWbKWF5
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“You’re leaving already?” Celine asked. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaBTq5hndT
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“Yeah, got a few places to be.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRWHvutOgw
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoaVyJMTGH
“Wait,” Rob said, disappearing into the bedroom. He returned with some cash. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F1rKtbeAf
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When he entered the kitchen, he found Celine holding Eve’s hands in prayer. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU0XhZKS62
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“...Amen,” Celine finished. “Will you join us at church tomorrow? It’s the last service of the year.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvE7kKkCNU
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkOjWW7Ooj
Eve hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, of course… I’ll be there.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuTJY9LukR
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Rob handed her the money. “Here, take a cab home, and keep the rest.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEm6ZVaHtW
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYoSTucqRA
“Aww, Robby, you didn’t have to… Thanks. Take care. See you tomorrow.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhwJ2XAahC
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7u5K9eSny
She left, the smell of bacon and eggs lingering in her wake.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6Wxf6pkQB
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12:22 PM697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2bHmrCmSl
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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvby6LSG56
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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 was697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaENDJzAR4
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. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjzqToc2l7
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“We should try convincing her to move in with us again,” Celine said suddenly.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVccdzubPe
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“Huh?” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFsxszc0vZ
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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. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w4wiOaJA3
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“Yeah… Maybe she’ll be more willing to start fresh next year.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITq67lTN1n
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCOh2ilHHN
“I’ll talk to her after the service tomorrow. She likes me more, so she might agree.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE2GRju6u2
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“Ha! She’s my sister, you know.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn5Yayij4x
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Celine smiled. “Exactly. That’s why she’ll listen to me.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGktygIwAS
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December 31, 2024697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFu3tDDV8J
10:01 AM697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN37L8XJXQ
“Where is she?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW9UyX36tW
Celine wondered, glancing toward the church doors each time they creaked open.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8m1GlJhMO
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 2025697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowFCZiyGGY
9:09 AM697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdEIFa64N9
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. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBngf2TNXH
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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.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE4LJp6SLP
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“But my stomach is too flat,” Eve said, her voice rising. “There should still be some hidden sign of pregnancy.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFN1QLngPv
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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—”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xnr7LFw8V
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Lucy hesitated. “The most humane option would be to terminate the pregnancy now.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9nVAEhSBV
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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?” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQZUb6PxwA
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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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpjEVAZm39
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“Celine, could I speak with you outside for a moment?” Lucy asked, and Celine reluctantly followed her out. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN77LMwOZng
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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—” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsXyjx2buc
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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.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjCRxspCTL
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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.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh6Hxtt4yH
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Wthout another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving Celine standing in the hallway.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YhJ5mTTDc
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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. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ24ocdnnJO
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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.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzJwbSxBQa
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Eve nodded, her face pale and tear-streaked.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOimJIGWmPY
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11:11 AM697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63ukX8JVBi
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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QJl06EzkJ
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The house was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by Eve’s muffled sobs. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTqRjhW3Ik
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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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbaodNq12g
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2nd January 2025697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhgQZWdkdU
6:56 AM697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiSGndQ4Nb
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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfUR0JyJ0I
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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. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ6mayDKY2
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“Eve?” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSBb0I7pqY
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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. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIW3aRiWCu
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“What are you doing?” he asked, stepping closer. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM8TIPcvl4
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK1vSFAgal
“I’m... Psh!... I just needed some air,” she stammered, trying to sound casual. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z3BPx5fTa
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“Air?” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0jJSPpZI3
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“Yeah... I couldn’t find the key, and I didn’t want to wake you or Celine.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawRUKP61r2
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...697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2CUVsM3qG
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“You’re having withdrawals?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOIHfok7pX
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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.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmIJB54cPJ
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L1K52WrAs
“Eve, no. You can’t—”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyROxzjI8SB
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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!” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVXZKQiCHq
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“Eve, I don’t—” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24HPjMCA5h
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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!” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf7aZ0OX2F
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Rob stayed silent, simply watching her. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MIGtjJUGX
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“Fuck!” she screamed, kicking the door hard. “Open the fucking door, Robby!” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYVbzDR8aj
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He remained quiet.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFx6n9SCVW
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“Fuck!” she kicked again.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1GhWVt4F4
“Fuck!” another kick.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9AZuAV6GF
“Fuck!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4e6FN1bql
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthUO5ZuesR
“Fuck!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv7n26bSs0
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“Fuck!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIpSXMqpE0
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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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3AyZ7yIaz
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For a moment, she stood there, taking deep, ragged breaths. “I’m sorry.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqDbYqWBIc
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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.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7shcNNbRpz
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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.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yu6S9LlNU
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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!” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ161HnQpzRM
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Rob didn’t respond. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2N2ofh1hB
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“Fuck!” she screamed, grabbing a white plate from the table and threw it at him.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SyEe3HlSv
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxxRgi6oL7
Rob ducked, but the plate shattered against the wall behind him, and a shard grazed his cheek. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ury8kgipH
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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?” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrzhO6WehE
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLK1vHwEIb
“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!” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXvPDvEHUb
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJQroOeT1e
Celine turned to her, “He can’t open the door, Eve. I took the key.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEGsnS9abB
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“What?” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxhKxiochY
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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.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a4prvrpiM
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBdBwkCOfg
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—” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmOzJGr5YF
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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!” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1F3aP0Jgf
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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. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr214cuyVt
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“I killed my baby...” she said. “What the fuck do you know about pain like this?” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zH78pi3Ai
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The room fell silent. Rob’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment before he finally spoke.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbdinjW1hM
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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.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchBxrOETro
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUvcxAY05j
“Don’t come any closer!” she screamed, tears streaking her face. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj4nf9GMYn
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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.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4L3fOsTLF
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She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKtfdcY1ux
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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.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7LGrqzLHX
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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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcoxUnQheU
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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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3kvHzqRdq
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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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8626VDTUv
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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.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjrrqeedeE
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And then, four months later, she gave birth.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJINLGjH9Q3
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To a perfectly healthy baby girl.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpljeBgw4R
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We named her Grace.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OVe3OPKHc
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The End.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoP1ZcCRm2
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