Chapter 1 – The Unexpected Knock

Anita leaned against the kitchen counter with her phone pressed between her shoulder and ear, pacing slowly across her small apartment. Evening sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting long golden stripes across the floor.

“Jackson, it’s only two weeks,” she said, laughing softly. “You’re acting like we’re getting married tomorrow.”

On the other end of the call, Jackson chuckled.

“Two weeks is still too long. You know I want you here already.”

Anita rolled her eyes but smiled. Jackson had been like this since they made the decision. After months of dating, they had both agreed she would move into his place for a year before he left for an eighteen-month overseas work contract.

It made sense.

They would spend as much time together as possible before the distance separated them.

Anita had already planned everything.

Her apartment was small but comfortable, and she had already finalized a deal with someone who would take over the lease. Everything was moving forward smoothly.

A fresh start.

Two years ago she had ended things with her ex after three years together. She wanted freedom—freedom to meet new people, talk to other men, and explore life without feeling tied down.

They hadn’t ended on terrible terms though. Surprisingly, they had remained friends. Her family still knew him well. On birthdays or holidays they still exchanged messages.

It was simple.

No drama.

No complications.

Just two people who had once loved each other moving on.

Jackson’s voice pulled her back.

“So what are you doing tonight?” he asked.

“I was thinking of grabbing dinner somewhere nearby,” Anita replied. “Nothing special.”

Before Jackson could respond, a sudden knock sounded at the door.

Anita frowned.

“Hold on, someone’s at my door.”

Another knock followed, louder this time.

“Probably the neighbor again,” she said in a low voice.

She walked toward the door, still holding the phone.

“Jackson, let me check who it is. I’ll call you right back.”

“Alright. Don’t take forever,” he teased.

Anita smiled and ended the call.

She unlocked the door and pulled it open.

Then froze.

Standing outside was Grace.

Her younger sister.

Grace looked exhausted.

Her hair was messy, her eyes tired, and two travel bags rested on the floor beside her.

Anita blinked in confusion.

“Grace?”

Grace gave a weak smile.

“Hey, sis.”

Anita looked at the bags again.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

Grace shrugged lightly, though her expression looked weak.

“Yeah… it was kind of last minute.”

Anita studied her for another second but quickly brushed the concern aside. Her sister had always been spontaneous.

She stepped aside and pulled Grace into a hug.

“Well, come in. What are you doing standing outside?”

Grace stepped inside slowly, dragging her bags behind her.

Anita grabbed her phone again.

“Jackson, I’ll call you back much later,” she said quickly, sending a short message before slipping the phone into her pocket.

She turned back to Grace.

“You’re lucky you caught me before I left,” Anita said with a playful smile. “I was just about to go out for dinner. If you came ten minutes later you’d be waiting outside all evening.”

Grace forced a small laugh.

“Well… good timing then.”

“Perfect timing,” Anita replied.

She grabbed her purse and keys.

“Come on. You look like you need real food.”

Dinner

The restaurant was small but lively.

Music played softly in the background while people talked and laughed at nearby tables.

But Anita quickly noticed something strange.

Grace was eating extremely fast.

Too fast.

She shoveled spoonful after spoonful into her mouth as if she hadn’t eaten in days.

Anita watched her for a moment, amused.

“Grace, slow down,” she said, smiling. “No one’s going to steal your food.”

Grace paused for a moment but didn’t respond.

Anita laughed lightly.

“What, did you forget how to eat like a normal human being?”

Grace suddenly looked up.

Her expression had changed.

Serious.

Nervous.

Then she said quietly:

“I’m pregnant.”

For a moment Anita didn’t react.

Her brain refused to process the words.

Then—

“WHAT?!”

Her voice exploded across the restaurant.

Several people turned to look at their table.

But Anita didn’t care.

Her eyes were wide with disbelief.

Grace lowered her head slightly, focusing on the food on her plate while chewing the last bite slowly.

Anita leaned forward.

“What do you mean you’re pregnant?” she demanded. “And what did you say about running away from home?”

Grace swallowed hard.

“My boyfriend,” she said softly.

“What about him?”

“He’s the father.”

Anita stared at her.

“And where is this wonderful boyfriend now?”

Grace’s fingers tightened around her fork.

“When I told him… he stopped answering my calls.”

Anita scoffed immediately.

“Of course he did.”

“I went to his apartment,” Grace continued quietly. “They told me he traveled.”

“And you believed that?” Anita snapped.

“I tried calling his number again,” Grace said. “But it won’t connect anymore.”

Anita leaned back in her chair and shook her head in disbelief.

“He blocked you,” she said bluntly. “That idiot blocked you.”

Grace said nothing.

Anita ran a hand through her hair, frustration rising quickly.

“You’re twenty-two, Grace,” she said sharply. “Twenty-two and pregnant with no plan.”

Then she asked the obvious question.

“What did mom and dad say?”

Grace’s voice trembled.

“They kicked me out.”

Silence fell between them.

Anita stared at her sister in disbelief.

“You’re serious?”

Grace nodded slowly.

Tears began forming in her eyes.

“I have nowhere else to go,” she whispered. “I only have you.”

Anita blinked.

“Only me?”

She let out a frustrated laugh.

“Grace, listen to me carefully,” Anita said, leaning forward again. “I’m moving in with my boyfriend next weekend.”

Grace looked up.

“My apartment is already taken,” Anita continued. “I signed the agreement. Someone else is moving in here.”

Grace’s tears finally spilled down her cheeks.

“So what am I supposed to do?”

Anita opened her mouth… then stopped.

She didn’t know.

She was angry.

Confused.

And suddenly responsible for a problem she never expected.

Later That Night

Back at the apartment, the tension was heavy.

Grace sat on the couch crying softly, her shoulders shaking.

Anita stood near the window, arms folded across her chest.

Her mind raced.

Her sister had nowhere to go.

But Anita also couldn’t destroy her own plans.

She had already promised Jackson.

Everything was arranged.

Everything was settled.

And yet…

Grace’s quiet sobs filled the room.

Anita closed her eyes, realizing one thing.

She needed to find a solution.

And fast.