Chapter 1

I was completely zoned out in the bathroom, staring at the two stark lines on the pregnancy test stick. I then heard Gianna Lowe, my best friend, from the other side of the door, pestering me nonstop.

"Did you take the test yet, Rebecca? You didn't actually get knocked up, did you?"

I couldn't help but feel my hands trembling uncontrollably as I stared at the two vivid red lines, instantly feeling sick to my stomach.

In my past life, this very child had been the start of my downfall—I was forced to drop out of college and await childbirth, only to be smothered to death in the end. I died without ever learning how I became pregnant, much less who the father was.

Gianna ran out of patience and just yanked the door open, storming in.

I was quicker, though, and had already stashed the pregnancy test stick.

Gianna looked all around, her brow furrowed in confusion, and asked, "Where's the pregnancy test stick? Are you actually pregnant or not, Rebecca?"

I shook my head, replying, "I never even slept with a man—there's no way I could be pregnant."

I knew Gianna couldn't keep a secret. In my past life, the instant I discovered the pregnancy, she immediately babbled to my boyfriend, Mitchell Gray, causing word of my out-of-wedlock child to spread everywhere. I had no intention of confiding in her in this life.

Gianna said with a hint of disappointment, "I actually thought you were pregnant. I even heard that Mitchell was getting ready to pop the question—imagine having both a pregnancy and an engagement at once!"

I couldn't help but feel a bit unsettled. I hadn't realized until now that Gianna was so fond of children.

…

I gripped the pregnancy test stick in my hand and carefully reflected on everything that had happened since my last menstrual cycle. Mitchell and I had been completely chaste—just two mall visits, no making out, nothing. He couldn't possibly be the father of the child.

I hadn't been alone with any other men beyond that, and the only other person I was close to was Gianna, who couldn't possibly be the one since she was a woman.

I furrowed my brow, and then it hit me—a month ago, Gianna and I had gone swimming at the public pool, where some guy harassed me. He deliberately swam close to me and even made disgusting, inappropriate gestures toward me.

I was beyond furious, and Gianna went off on my behalf, furiously dressing down the man for what he had done.

I decided not to shower and headed to the locker room to wait for Gianna. I somehow fell into a deep sleep, and when I finally came to, I was stiff and sore, which I dismissed as just post-swim fatigue. I couldn't help but wonder if someone had actually taken advantage of me right then.

I immediately felt a shiver run down my spine as I thought of the possibility. I made my way to the hospital right away. I needed to confirm my pregnancy, but there was a far more critical task.

If I had truly been assaulted, there would have to be proof on my body. I was absolutely determined to uncover the identity of the culprit.

I was devastated when I received the ultrasound results—the scan indicated that the fetus was a month old exactly.

I immediately made the appointment for the abortion procedure when the doctor asked if I intended to keep or terminate the pregnancy. I absolutely refused to carry it to term, no matter who the baby's biological father was.

It seemed like the doctor was used to it, as she swiftly helped me arrange the abortion appointment while murmuring, "You young women nowadays are so reckless with your bodies, getting pregnant at such a young age."

I couldn't help but blush after hearing that. I couldn't think of anything to defend myself, though. How could I possibly admit that I was completely clueless about how I got pregnant?

I immediately scheduled a full gynecological examination and an STD screening after that. I had no idea if the person who assaulted me was carrying any diseases, after all.

I settled onto the exam bed as the doctor put on her gloves. She couldn't help but furrow her brow in confusion after a brief examination, asking, "How could this be? It appears that you're a virgin. How on earth did you end up pregnant?"