Chapter 5 Question answered

“Not even fifty percent? Goshhh, I’m so pissed!” Zara snapped, shooting up from her chair.

Mom turned to me with a sharp frown. “So, you want to ruin your sister’s reputation, the one she’s fought so hard to build? Now tell me” her voice cracked into a cold yell, eyes blazing, “who’s the father?”

“If you’ll excuse me,” the doctor interrupted stiffly, stepping forward. He checked my forehead and eyes before sighing. “She just needs rest. Don’t stress her further, or she might pass out, or worse, face more complications.”

He straightened, his tone clipped. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my leave.” With that, he slammed the door shut behind him.

The silence that followed was deafening. Tears spilled down my cheeks, blurring everything.

So I can’t abort Aaron’s baby?

What if he finds out?

What if they all find out?

How am I supposed to raise Aaron’s child?

This is beyond hell.

Who will I even tell them the father is?

“Young lady, who’s the father of this child?” Mom thundered again.

“And what do you think your father will say when he finds out you’re pregnant?”

“I don’t care how he feels!” I snapped back, my voice shaking with fury. “He can feel whatever he wants, I don’t give a damn!”

Yes, I hate my father. As much as he hates me. He never showed me love. All he ever did was pamper Zara because she’s a movie star. I’ve been nothing but a shadow in this house, a ghost no one claimed as their own.

The only reason guilt gnaws at me is because I know, it’s an abomination to be pregnant by your sister’s husband. A curse. Forbidden.

“You will not talk about Father like that!” Zara spat, her voice dripping with venom.

Of course, she would defend him. She’s his favorite, his shining star. He adored her, worshipped her, while I was left in the dark.

“You’re still running your mouth, after the disgrace you’ve brought upon us?” Mom snapped.

“I’m grown. I make my own decisions.” My voice was steady, unyielding. I refused to show them weakness.

I’ve been my own backbone since birth. I won’t let them rule me.

“Miss,” Mom’s voice cut like a blade. “Who is the father? You can’t just get pregnant by some unknown man and expect us to accept the bastard. Your sister’s wedding was ruined because you fainted. And now, ” she seethed, her eyes narrowing, “we discover you’re pregnant?”

“I can…. I can raise the child myself, I don't need any of your help, I'm stable enough”

“Just shut up!” Mom roared, her voice sharp enough to slice through my chest. “We don’t care if you’re stable or not, you need to tell us who the father is!”

My whole body shook. My hands trembled violently as tears blurred my vision. “I… I don’t know who the father is!” I screamed, my lower lip quivering, my voice cracking under the weight of my lie.

Mom’s eyes widened, shock flashing across her face. The room suddenly felt suffocating, like the air had been stolen from my lungs. I could barely breathe. “What… what did you just say?” she asked, her voice low, almost a whisper, as if she couldn’t believe her own ears.

“I—” My throat tightened, choking me. My heart thundered so loudly, I was certain they could hear it.

“Liar!” Zara spat, her voice venomous. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms. “You know exactly who the father is. You’re just too cowardly to admit it!” Her tone dripped with fury as she took a threatening step closer. “You better start talking, or I swear I’ll dig until I find out myself.”

My blood ran cold. My thumb went numb against my palm as fear crawled through me. If Zara truly searched, she would find out it was Aaron. The club was too open, too crowded. What if someone had seen us together that night? What if whispers were already circling?

My chest heaved, tears streaking down my face. A storm raged inside me, shame, terror, guilt, all clashing violently. The secret burned on my tongue, begging to be unleashed, but the moment it left my lips, my world would collapse.

I shut my eyes tight, my mind hammering for words. I knew it was wrong, but I had to do this, I couldn’t risk my secret being exposed. I couldn’t get caught.

“The… the father is Edward,” I stammered, each syllable choking out like a confession I didn’t mean to make.

Mom’s eyebrows knitted together. “Edward? Who’s Edward?” she demanded.

“He’s my high-school best friend,” I lied, forcing a hollow laugh that sounded nothing like me. “We, uh, we drank too much when we met, and it just happened.”

Mom stared at Zara, and the two of them turned their glare on me as if I’d burned the house down. Horror and disbelief twisted their faces.

I swallowed hard. I’m sorry, Edward, I thought, the apology burning in my chest. This is huge. I’m putting a weight on you I don’t have the right to. Please understand when I explain, if I ever get the chance.