I Can't
988 Words
I entered into Dad's room,he was facing the window.
“Start talking.” he said without removing his eyes from the window.
Then i remembered the relocation of that letter.
“I'm sorry dad.”
“Don't worry, you'll soon be sorry when the child brings shame to this empire.”
“I'll fix it dad.”
“No i'll will handle it myself.”he said as he stood slowly,each step deliberate.
I should've run.should’ve screamed.
Instead,I sat there,back straight,nails digging into my palms as he barked orders into his phone.
“Prepare your car we live by ten in the morning.”
“To where dad?” I asked. But he kept mute.
The next morning…………..
We head off to a nearby clinic few kilometers from our estate.
The clinic was a grim little building on the edge of the town.
No sign,No windows just a metal door and a bell that buzzzed too loud.
The doctor met us inside,a man with one dead eyes and latex gloves.
Dad shoved my test result file into his hands and commanded.
“Get it done, no mistake.”
The doctor nodded without saying a word.
My heart hammered. I grabbed Dad hand in fear.
“I’ll be back” he said as he force his hand out of mine.
He step outside.He frowned but stopped back, tapping his watch like i was in a timer.
Inside the exam room, the doctor set up quietly, his tools, sterilize and detached.I forced my voice out.
"I don’t want this."
He didn’t look up. "Orders are orders."
“I'm sorry there's nothing I can do at this moment.”he said.
I threw myself on the floor,and begged him yet he kept deaf ears.I curled up on the floor, still sobbing profusely then suddenly, I felt a soft, warm body nuzzling against me.
I pulled out a lot of money from my purse, hands trembling.
Here's Triple of what he’s paying," I whispered.
"Save my baby."
The doctor hesitated. Money makes people slow down.Makes them think.Finally, he shoved the tray aside.
"Fine. But it stays between us."
"Done."
He wrote something on the chart, fast and messy.A fake procedure. A staged report.The lie that would save my child.
Dad waited outside, arms crossed, foot tapping.I stumbled out, pale, shaking.He nodded once, satisfied.
“I warned you’ but you wouldn't listen'now you've seen the outcome yourself.”
“Poor boys has no future,Now take a look at the vagabond he's no where to be found.”
“I'm sorry Dad.”
“No you should be sorry for yourself.”dad barked.
“You should be glad that all this s**t is over.”
"It’s over."I forced a weak smile."Yeah,Over."
He drove me home in silence, already moving on.I didn’t speak.Didn’t breathe.Not until he left the estate.Not until the front door slammed and I was sure I was alone.
Then I collapsed onto the floor and cried until my throat was raw.
Weeks blurred together.
The baby was born early, too early, her body small and bruised, fighting for every breath inside the incubator.
The doctor kept his word. Updates came quietly. No paper trail. No evidence.
Just whispered reports passed through nurses with shaking hands.
“He’s,strong,” one said. “He’s,fighting.” the other said.I gripped the railing so hard my fingers ached.
“You're a cutie baby.” I whispered.
When he was finally strong enough to leave the machines, I knew what I had to do.I couldn’t keep him.Not in this house.Not with my father circling like a hawk.I needed someone invisible.Someone loyal.I needed Sophia.
I called on Sophia and we met behind an abandoned greenhouse near the edge of campus.
Sophia stood there, arms wrapped around herself, hair whipping in the wind.I stepped out of the car, the bundle in my arms shifting, a small whimper escaping the blanket.
Sophia’s eyes widened."You... you have a baby. Jesus Christ."I nodded once in agreement.
She stared at the tiny face peeking out, awe and terror battling across her features.I didn’t waste time.
"I need you to take him." I said. "Raise him, Hide him.."
Sophia swallowed hard. "Tasha, I…….."she stammered.
"I know This isn’t a favor. This is survival."Her eyes darted to the bundle, then back to me.She hesitated.Of course she did.
"Why me?" she whispered."Because you owe me," I said flatly. "Because you loved him too."
Her face crumpled.
A crack in the perfect mask she always wore."You’ll take her," I pressed. "Or you’ll lose everything,our friendship.”
Sophia looked down at the baby, cheeks wet with silent tears."Okay," she choked out.
I handed her the bundle. Cold. Mechanical. Like passing off a weapon.She clutched the baby to her chest, as if afraid I’d rip her back.Maybe I would’ve.Maybe part of me wanted to.But the deal was made.The pact sealed.
I stepped back, arms empty, chest hollow.
"I’m going to make Arthur suffer," I said, voice sharp as a broken glass.
"He abandoned us. He doesn’t get to come back to anything good."
Sophia nodded once, cradling the baby tighter.We didn’t hug. Didn’t say goodbye.
I turned to leaveSophia,voice floated after me.
"What’s his name?" She asked.
I paused, one hand on the car door.Then I smiled a cold smile.
"Maxwell," I said.
I got into the car, slammed the door shut, and didn’t look back.
Just stood there under the dying light, two girls tied together by one unforgivable secret.
As the engine roared to lift, I caught a glimpse of Sophia standing there, clutching the baby like a lifeline.
Her tears shone under the streetlights.But it didn’t matter anymore.Sophia had chosen her side.And soon, Arthur would come back,to seek for his child, definitely he will take down anyone, anybody who stands in his way.
He would come back to ruin,He would come back to war.
I pray he doesn't come and find me nor his child.
- Writer
