Chapter 6: Decision

“What do you mean, pregnant?” my dad asked Cleo, his voice trembling with disbelief.

In that moment, everything around me seemed to stop, the weight of his question suffocating me. My world, my future, my hopes—all of it seemed to shatter in an instant. The word “pregnant” echoed in my mind, a cruel reminder of everything I had endured. And worst of all, the child I carried was going to be a permanent reminder of my pain, a constant shadow that would follow me for the rest of my life.

“We are getting that thing out of you,” my dad said sharply, his voice cold and filled with anger. His words stung, and I couldn’t breathe. I sat up slowly, my body aching, my mind spinning as I tried to process what was happening.

“I couldn’t agree more with you, Frank,” my mom said, her voice thick with tears. Her eyes were red, swollen, and I saw the fear in them—the fear of what this would mean for me, for our family. But beneath her tears, there was something else—something that made my heart ache. Her words cut deeper than I ever imagined.

At that moment, all I could think about was my final exams. My graduation, the freedom from the pressure of books, and the anticipation of finally stepping into the world as my own person. It was supposed to be my time, my moment to breathe. But now? Now I was trapped.

I couldn’t let myself be a murderer, no matter how selfish my desires might be. I had to think deeply about this—about the baby growing inside me, the life that was already beginning, even if it hadn’t been planned or wanted. I thought about my books, my exams, and what Kaleth would think of all of this. How would he react?

Dinner that night was eerily quiet. The clinking of silverware was the only sound, and it felt like the world was closing in on me. My mind raced with conflicting thoughts. I could feel my parents’ eyes on me, but I couldn’t bear to meet them. I was lost in my own turmoil, drowning in uncertainty.

“Celine, you don’t have to worry. Your dad and I will take care of this,” my mom said gently, her hand resting on mine. Her words felt like a quiet plea, but they did nothing to calm the storm inside me.

“First thing tomorrow, we’ll get rid of it,” my dad added, his voice smooth, almost sweet. But there was no softness in it. It felt like a command, not a suggestion. I knew what they meant, but my heart twisted painfully in my chest. I had to make a decision, and I had to make it quickly. If I didn’t, I would spend the rest of my life regretting it.

Suddenly, the silence became unbearable. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. I could feel the baby inside me, small and fragile, and it gave me the courage I needed.

“Mom, Dad—no,” I said, my voice trembling, but firm. “I’m keeping the baby.”

The words hung in the air like a bomb. My parents’ faces froze in shock, and I could feel the heat of their anger rising.

“What?” My dad’s voice was sharp, like a slap. “Celine, what has come over you? We have to get rid of that thing.” His words were so cold, so devoid of emotion, that they made my heart ache even more.

“Mom, it’s just a baby,” I said softly, my voice breaking. “He’s not a thing, Mom. He’s a life. He’s... my baby.”

“You listen to your mother, Celine,” my dad snapped, his voice rough. “You have to get rid of it. Now.”

I felt my heart race, the words I needed to say bubbling up, desperate to escape. “Dad, please listen to me,” I said, my voice shaking with emotion. “I don’t want to kill this baby. Please understand, this is wrong. You’re asking me to kill my child. It’s like you’re telling a mother to shoot her own child, and I can’t do that. I can’t—and I won’t. I can’t be a murderer, not now, not ever.”

The silence that followed felt suffocating. My parents sat across from me, their faces a mix of disbelief and anger. I could feel my dad’s fury building, his eyes flashing with something dark, something dangerous.

“Then prepare to raise it alone,” he said coldly. His words were like a slap across my face, and I felt the sting deep in my chest. He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor with a loud screech, and then walked away. My mom followed him, leaving me sitting there, alone.

I felt a wave of rejection wash over me. The words my dad had said—those harsh, final words—cut through me like a knife. But deeper than that, I felt something else—a surge of determination that rose from somewhere deep inside. At that moment, I knew I wasn’t going to let anyone take away my baby. Not even my own parents.

I wasn’t sure how to feel. I was scared. Terrified, in fact. But I was also filled with a sense of purpose. This child—this little life inside me—was a part of me, and I wasn’t going to let anyone take that away.

That night, I lay in bed, my mind racing with thoughts of the future. The silence in the house was deafening, and I felt more alone than ever. I thought about Kaleth. What would he think of all this? Would he support me? Would he leave me? The uncertainty gnawed at me, but I knew one thing for sure: I had made my choice, and there was no going back.

The next day was a blur. My parents didn’t speak to me, and I didn’t speak to them. We moved around the house like strangers, each of us trapped in our own thoughts, our own fears. I wanted to reach out to Kaleth, to tell him everything, but I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t know how to explain what had happened to me, to us.

It wasn’t until later that evening, after dinner, that Kaleth came over. His face was filled with concern, and his eyes searched mine as if trying to figure out what was going on.

“I’ve been trying to reach you all day,” he said softly, sitting down beside me on the couch. “What’s going on, Celine? You’ve been distant... what happened?”

I didn’t know how to begin. I didn’t know how to tell him about the baby, about the decision I had made. But when I looked into his eyes, I saw something there—something that made my heart race.

“I’m pregnant,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

His face froze for a moment, and then his expression softened. “Celine…” He reached out and took my hand, his touch warm and steady. “We’ll figure this out together, okay? Whatever you decide, I’m here for you.”

His words were like a balm to my aching heart, and for the first time in days, I felt like maybe, just maybe, everything was going to be okay.

But as I looked at him, I knew that this was just the beginning. I had made my choice, and now I had to face the consequences. Whatever came next, I would face it with the strength I didn’t know I had. Because this child—this little life inside me—was worth fighting for.

And no matter what happened, I would never give up on them. Not now, not ever.