chapter 5

***Luna's POV***

I sat quietly on the old wooden bench beneath the shade of a large oak tree, watching the children play football across the orphanage field.

The afternoon sun wrapped everything in a warm golden glow while laughter filled the air, blending with the sound of rushing footsteps and a ball being kicked across the grass.

Their voices echoed through the yard, breathing life into every corner of Star Orphanage.

There was something comforting about watching children play.

No matter how exhausted or troubled I felt, their innocence always softened something inside me. Their laughter reached places nothing else could.

The boys were completely absorbed in their game.

“Pass the ball, quickly,” Rees shouted at the top of his voice.

At only seven years old, he already acted like the captain of a professional team. The others listened without hesitation.

Phineas kicked the ball across the field and Rees controlled it perfectly before sending it straight toward the makeshift goal.

The moment it hit, the field erupted in cheers. The boys jumped on him excitedly as though they had just won a championship.

I smiled without thinking. It was impossible not to find them adorable.

“Hey boys,” I called out.

Every head turned toward me at once, their eyes lighting up with excitement.

“I brought something for you,” I said.

That was all it took. They abandoned their game and rushed toward me as quickly as their little legs could carry them.

“Really?”

“What is it?”

“Is it candy?”

“Can I have two?”

I laughed softly. “Line up first.”

To my surprise, they obeyed immediately.

Years ago, that would not have been possible. When I first started volunteering at Star Orphanage, most of them were toddlers who barely listened to anyone. Now they had grown so much that it sometimes felt unreal.

I knew each of them well, their favorite foods, their fears, their dreams, even their worst habits.

They were no longer just children in an orphanage. They felt like family.

One by one, I handed them sandwiches and milkshakes.

Their faces lit up instantly.

“Thank you, Luna sister,” they chorused together.

The sound made me laugh.

“Do you like them?” I asked.

“Yes,” they answered in unison.

Within moments, they were already running back to the field, happily carrying their food.

I leaned back against the bench and watched them before shifting my attention to the girls nearby.

On the opposite side of the yard, Hana, Gracie, Mia, and Ingrid were playing together. Everything seemed peaceful for a few seconds.

Then I noticed Hana scoop up a handful of sand.

My eyes widened immediately.

“Hana, don’t you dare,” I called out.

But it was already too late.

The sand flew through the air and landed directly in Gracie’s blonde hair.

Gracie froze for a moment before touching her hair. The realization hit her instantly, and her face crumpled.

Tears filled her eyes.

“Why would you do that?” she cried.

Hana only giggled, looking far too pleased with herself. She was easily the most mischievous child in the orphanage.

“You are mean,” Gracie cried. “I will not be your friend anymore.”

Hana did not look bothered at all. She simply walked away and climbed onto a seesaw alone.

I sighed deeply.

Children.

In five minutes, they would probably be friends again.

“Don’t worry,” a familiar voice said from behind me. “They will make up before dinner.”

I smiled even before turning around. I already knew who it was.

Sister Natalie.

She walked toward me with her usual warm smile, her presence instantly calming.

Then she sat beside me on the bench.

“You are here early today,” she said gently.

I raised an eyebrow. “What, you do not like seeing me?” I asked lightly.

She laughed softly. “That is not what I meant.”

Her gaze lingered on my face for a moment before she added carefully, “You usually come early when something is bothering you.”

I looked away because she knew me too well.

This morning, I had received my hospital results. I had barely slept the night before after wandering the streets for hours.

The test had confirmed everything.

Positive.

I was pregnant.

Even though I had expected it, seeing it written so clearly had broken something inside me.

I had cried alone in my dorm for nearly an hour.

Not because I wanted the baby.

Not because I did not.

But because I no longer knew what I wanted at all.

“You know me too well,” I said with a forced smile. “I am fine. I just missed everyone.”

The lie sounded weak even to my own ears.

Sister Natalie studied me but did not push.

“We miss you too,” she said gently.

A quiet guilt settled in my chest. I had been visiting less and less lately because of college and work.

“Classes are getting harder,” I explained. “And Daphne keeps adding extra shifts. I am barely keeping up.”

The wind moved through the yard, carrying the scent of grass and rustling the leaves above us.

As a third-year student, my workload had doubled, and I depended heavily on my job to survive. Missing shifts was not an option, especially after already taking time off for the hospital visit.

We continued talking while watching the children.

Then a sudden cry cut through the peaceful afternoon.

Both of us turned immediately.

It was Jordan.

The six-year-old was sitting on the ground, crying loudly while holding his knee.

My heart dropped instantly, and I rushed over.

The other children gathered around him, worried and unsure what to do.

I knelt beside him and gently examined his knee. There was a small cut, not serious, but enough to frighten him.

“Jordan,” I said softly.

He immediately wrapped his arms around me, and I lifted him carefully.

“We are going to the nurse’s room,” I told him gently.

His crying slowly faded as I carried him inside.

Half an hour later, he was lying on a bed with a clean bandage around his knee. His breathing had steadied, and the nurse assured me he would be fine.

I brushed his hair back gently.

“You will be running again tomorrow,” I said with a soft smile.

He nodded faintly.

Satisfied, I left the room.

Outside, Sister Natalie was waiting.

“How is he?” she asked.

“Much better,” I replied.

Relief softened her expression.

We walked through the orphanage together, the familiar scent of cleaning supplies and fresh bread filling the air. Everything felt calm, almost normal.

Then Sister Natalie spoke again.

“You will make a wonderful mother someday, Luna.”

My steps stopped.

For a moment, I could not breathe.

The words hit deeper than they should have.

Before, I would have smiled at something like that.

Now it felt like a wound being pressed.

I looked away quickly.

“How do you know that?” I asked quietly.

She smiled warmly. “Because I have watched you for years.”

I stayed silent.

“You care so deeply for these children,” she continued. “When they are happy, you are happy. When they are hurt, you hurt too.”

She nodded toward the nurse’s room.

“Jordan scraped his knee and you reacted like it was your own pain.”

A lump formed in my throat. The words I wanted to say sat heavily behind my lips.

I am pregnant. I am going to terminate it.

But I could not say it.

Not yet.

Instead, I forced my voice steady.

“Being a mother is hard.”

“It is,” she agreed.

“I am not ready for that,” I said quietly.

She chuckled softly. “I am not saying you will become a mother tomorrow.”

I managed a faint smile.

“But one day,” she added gently, “when you have children of your own, you will be wonderful.”

Tears suddenly filled my eyes before I could stop them.

I blinked rapidly, trying to hide it.

“Please stop,” I whispered.

Her expression shifted immediately. “Luna?”

I quickly wiped my face.

“It is nothing,” I said. “I am fine. I just got emotional.”

Another lie. I was becoming too good at them.

To change the subject, I cleared my throat.

“I heard you made blueberry muffins,” I said.

Her smile returned instantly.

“I did,” she replied.

“Can I have one?”

“You can have three,” she said warmly.

That finally made me smile for real.

The next day, I found myself sitting inside AutGlobal Private Hospital.

The blue hospital gown felt loose around my body as I sat with my hands tightly clasped in my lap.

The room felt colder than usual, or maybe it was just my nerves.

Everything felt too quiet.

Dr Emily entered shortly after, holding several documents.

“I will be with you shortly,” she said before moving to her desk.

I nodded, but the moment she turned away, my anxiety deepened.

I should have brought someone with me.

Anyone.

Amelia.

My mother.

Someone.

But no one knew.

No one knew I was pregnant, and no one knew why I was here.

I was completely alone.

My phone suddenly rang, making me jump.

Mom.

My heart dropped instantly.

Of all times, she had called now, and it was a video call.

I had no choice but to answer.

“Hey, Mom,” I said quickly, forcing a smile.

I angled the camera carefully so she would not see the hospital room.

“Where are you?” she asked immediately.

“The library,” I replied without hesitation. “I am studying.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“You look nervous,” she said.

I laughed awkwardly. “I am not nervous.”

“Luna,” she said firmly.

“I am fine,” I insisted.

Her suspicion deepened.

“Why are you holding the camera so close to your face?” she asked.

Before I could respond, the door opened.

Dr Emily walked in.

“Alright, Miss Luna Spencer, we can begin the abortion procedure,” she said calmly.

Everything stopped.

My blood turned cold.

On the phone screen, my mother froze.

“What?” she screamed.

“Abortion?” she repeated in shock.

Panic exploded inside me.

The phone slipped slightly in my hand.

This was not supposed to happen like this.

“Luna, what is going on?” my mother demanded.

“I will call you later,” I said quickly, ending the call before she could say anything else.

Silence filled the room.

My pulse pounded violently.

There was no escaping it anymore.

Not from her.

Not from anyone.

“Miss Luna,” Dr Emily called gently.

I looked up.

“Are you ready?”

The word felt heavy.

Ready.

Was anyone ever truly ready for something like this?

I swallowed hard and nodded.

Dr Emily gestured toward the procedure room.

“Please come with me.”

My legs felt heavy as I stood.

Each step toward the door felt heavier than the last.

I had convinced myself that after this, everything would return to normal.

But as I followed her down the hallway, I could not stop wondering if normal was something I would ever get back at all.

to be continued...