Chapter 6

“…what were you doing at the hospital? What abortion?” Mom’s voice was shaking so hard it filled my ear.

“Mom, calm down. I’ll explain everything, I promise. I’ll tell you tonight when I come over for dinner.”

“You really know how to give me a heart attack. Fine. Just come early,” she sighed.

“Bye, Mom. Love you.”

“Love you, Elara.” I hung up and let out a long groan. Oh God, what was I supposed to do now? What was I even going to say to them? How would they react when I told them I was pregnant?

And the worst part? I had no idea who the father was. If I hadn’t stopped the doctor at the very last second, the abortion would already be done.

When I went in for the procedure, everything was moving along like it should. But the moment I felt that tiny life growing inside me, something shifted. I don’t know what came over me, but I grabbed the doctor’s wrist right before she could inject the syringe.

I didn’t regret stopping her. For a minute or two afterward I did, but then it hit me what a huge mistake I would’ve been making. So what if the father was a stranger? I was here. I was the baby’s mother, and I would do whatever it took to protect this child.

I smiled softly and rested my hand on my still-flat stomach. I knew exactly how risky this choice was.

—

My heart was hammering so loud I could hear it in my ears, and my stomach kept twisting tighter and tighter. I hugged Dad the second I walked through the front door of my parents’ house.

“You’ve gotten so thin,” he said, forehead creasing with worry. “Aren’t you eating properly, Elara?”

“I’m fine, Dad.”

He gave me a small, tight smile. We walked into the living room together, and the familiar scent of Mom’s favorite perfume wrapped around me. Dad pointed to the old olive-green couch—the one that had been there for over fifteen years—and I sat down. My knees wouldn’t stop bouncing.

“So, how are your classes going?” he asked.

I forced a smile. “They’re going okay.” I kept rubbing my palms up and down my jeans without realizing it until he frowned.

“What’s wrong with your left hand?”

“Nothing, Dad,” I said quickly, stopping the nervous motion. “Just a little itchy. How are things at school for you?”

He leaned back, looking thoughtful. “I think I scared one of the kids the other day. His parents called and said he’s running a high fever now.” I let out a small laugh even though my nerves were getting worse. “I don’t remember scaring any child.”

Mom walked in just then, carrying a tray of cookies and juice. “Don’t forget you’re known as Hitler around here,” she teased. She and I shared a quick smile while Dad stayed unbothered by the nickname. He always looked serious, even when he was relaxed, so people assumed he was angry.

I didn’t reach for my favorite chocolate-chip cookies. I knew they’d come right back up if I tried.

“Now tell me what you were doing at the hospital yesterday,” Mom said, sitting down.

I choked on my own spit. I hadn’t expected her to ask straight out with Dad right there.

“You were at the hospital?” Dad asked, surprised.

I swallowed hard, looking from Mom to Dad. Okay. I could do this.

“I… went for a check-up.”

They both frowned. “For what?” Dad asked.

My tongue felt heavy and my stomach churned even harder. Just say it! my brain screamed.

Easy for you to say, I thought back.

“For…” I stumbled. A thin line of sweat slid down the back of my neck. “Before I say anything, I just want to tell you both how sorry I am. Things happened… and I swear I didn’t mean for any of this—”

“Elara,” Mom said gently, resting her hand on my shoulder. Her face was full of worry. “Honey, you’re scaring us. What’s going on?”

“Yes, tell us,” Dad added.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurted out. The words tumbled free, carrying all the weight I’d been carrying since yesterday.

The room went completely silent. Both of them stared at me with blank faces. That wasn’t the reaction I’d expected. Mom blinked first, finally showing some emotion.

“What?”

They heard me, right?

“I’m pregnant, Mom.”

Her eyes flew wide open and a gasp escaped her. “You’re pregnant?” she cried.

I nodded, barely able to look at them. “When—how? Whose is it?” she asked, voice rising.

There it was. The question I’d been dreading.

“Does Jackson know? Oh my God, you told me you two broke up, but… you’re pregnant.”

“Mom… Jackson has nothing to do with this,” I said quietly. Part of me wished he was the father, but he wasn’t. We hadn’t slept together for two whole months before we split.

Another heavy silence filled the room. Mom’s face crumpled, lines of confusion and hurt deepening. “Elara, what are you saying? How can he not be involved? He was your boyfriend!”

My jaw tightened. “I don’t know who the father is,” I admitted.

Another gasp left her lips. “Wha— You slept with someone else?” The way she said it made it sound like the worst sin in the world.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen. It’s complicated… and Jackson cheated on me.” I’d told my parents we’d broken up mutually. I still didn’t know why I’d lied about that.

“Oh my God, I think I’m going to faint,” Mom breathed, pacing back and forth across the living room.

I’d been so focused on her that I’d almost forgotten Dad was sitting right beside me. When I turned to look at him, my stomach flipped. His expression was dark and deadly serious. I’d never seen that look on his face before. He hadn’t said a word the whole time, but when I opened my mouth to beg for understanding, he spoke.

“Abort it.” The words came out flat and commanding, leaving no room for argument.

“Dad, I can’t,” I begged.

His frown deepened. “Why? Why would you want to keep a stranger’s child?” he shouted.

I had no answer. “How much more do you want to humiliate us?”

I stared at him in horror. “Dad, I would never humiliate you.”

“You already have, Elara. I thought I raised you better.” His voice cracked with disappointment. “You proved me wrong.”

“No, Dad,” my voice broke. “This was never supposed to happen. Not on purpose.”

He sucked in a sharp breath and stood up, back straight and shoulders rigid. “Abort the child if there’s even a shred of shame left in you,” he thundered.

“Dad, please,” I pleaded, tears burning my eyes. “I want to keep the baby.” Hot tears spilled down my cheeks, blurring everything.

“Elara! This is ridiculous! That child has no future!” Mom snapped, grabbing my arm to make me look at her. Why couldn’t they understand?

“You will get the abortion.”

“No!” I cried out. “I won’t give up on this baby! Mom, Dad, please. I—I can take care of it… we can take care of it together.”

“Do you not hear me?” Dad’s voice was shaking with rage now. I flinched. “Our family name will be ruined by this child growing inside you! It will not be born. End of discussion!”

“So you only care about your reputation? You don’t care about me at all, Dad?” The bitter words slipped out before I could stop them. I was hurting so badly, and the thought that I had no one on my side crushed every bit of hope I’d managed to hold onto.

“Elara!” Mom hissed, eyes wide, warning me to stay quiet.

“Why won’t you understand? I didn’t plan any of this, but what am I supposed to do now? I did go for the abortion, but I couldn’t go through with it. I’m sorry, but I decided to give both of us a chance. I’m not backing down.”

“You would go against me now? For this nameless, worthless thing inside you?” Dad snarled, pure disgust on his face. I never thought I’d hear him speak so cruelly. I clenched my teeth, a storm of emotions swirling inside me.

I nodded, somehow keeping my voice steady even though I felt like I was falling apart. “Fine,” he said after a long, icy pause. “If you refuse to abort that child, you are no longer our daughter.” The words sucked all the air out of the room.

“Harris—Edward! What are you saying?” Mom cried, torn between us. She turned to me, eyes full of tears. “Elara, why are you making this so hard? Your impulsive choice will hurt everyone. Honey, please try to understand.”

“I need you to understand me too, Mom. I know you’re scared of what people will say, but it’ll only be for a little while. Eventually everyone will accept—”

“Ungrateful girl! Why can’t you just listen to us?” Dad yelled, the vein on his forehead standing out. “Margaret, leave her. If she won’t do what’s best for this family, then let her go.”

Mom whimpered, still begging me with her eyes, but my mind was made up. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and met Dad’s gaze.

“I’ll go,” I said quietly. His jaw clenched, face hard as stone. He was disappointed—deeply disappointed—and I could see it.

“Please, Elara, don’t do this…” Mom whispered.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I’m sorry, Mom. I failed at being a good daughter. I—” My voice cracked and the tears came again. “I’m really sorry for all the pain I’ve caused.”

“I don’t want your apology. Get out of my house!”

I looked at Mom one last time, then ran out the front door, covering my mouth with my hand so no one would hear me sobbing. The cool evening air stung my wet cheeks as my hair whipped around. I didn’t stop running. I just kept going, not caring where I was headed. A few neighbors gave me strange looks as I passed.

Tears kept blurring my vision and my chest felt so tight I could barely breathe. The pain only got worse when I finally slowed down. The sky was dark now. I had no idea what time it was or even where I was.