Hybrid

Conflicts

“So, you’re the human who managed to capture my son’s heart,” the woman said, her voice dripping with disdain as she began to serve herself. The other family members chuckled softly, soon serving themselves. Rachel felt her heart race, causing the woman to look at her again, this time with an air of superiority. “Oh, don’t be silly; you don’t need to be nervous. Go on, serve yourself,” the woman said, as Lenny began to fill Rachel’s plate. It was clear his gesture stemmed from obligation, not from caring about her presence and shyness.

Rachel forced a smile, trying to appear at ease. “Well, I would say yes, we’ve been together for two years,” she replied.

“Two years is a long time for a mere human,” one of the brothers leaned forward to say. “What makes you think you’re the right one? Or better yet, that he’s the right one for you?”

The girl swallowed hard, glancing quickly at Lenny, who seemed only concerned with his meal. His expression was hard to read; he appeared more irritated than proud of having his girlfriend at a family dinner.

“He’s different…” Rachel tried to justify, recalling the good moments, even if they were few. Their relationship was tumultuous, full of ups and downs and words that should never have been spoken, even in the heat of an argument.

As conversations flowed around the table, Rachel felt increasingly isolated. The weight of the secret she carried within her suffocated her. What would they think if they knew she was pregnant? The idea of being a mother was terrifying, especially being so young, especially with such an unstable father. She knew he wouldn’t change because of the baby, but deep down, she hoped he would.

“Our world is complicated, and he needs someone strong by his side. Do you think you’ll be strong enough?” the matriarch said, cutting a piece of meat while avoiding eye contact with the girl.

Rachel hesitated, remembering the times Lenny ignored her and treated her as inferior. She gently touched the deep scar on her face, caressing it and recalling the moment it appeared. “I’m trying to be,” she replied, her voice trembling.

“Good luck then; love isn’t always enough.” One of the brothers laughed sarcastically, and everyone at the table paused what they were doing to focus their attention on Rachel, except for Lenny.

The girl looked at her boyfriend, seeking some form of support or defense, but he seemed distant, lost in his own thoughts. The emptiness between them grew, and she realized she was alone—not just at this dinner but in her entire life. The image of a life with him, the pain of not knowing if she was capable of raising a child amid so much uncertainty, the need for a shoulder to cry on while pregnancy hormones screamed within her, all of it made her feel suffocated.

“Sorry, I need a moment,” the girl said, quickly standing up. She walked away from the table and headed toward the exit. The murmurs from the family grew around her, but she didn’t care—not at that moment. She needed to get out of that room, out of that situation, and breathe some fresh air.

She made her way to the garden surrounding the house, the porch lights illuminating all the dry branches and jasmine vines. She leaned against a tree, trying to collect herself. The whole situation was exhausting, and it made her feel something twisting inside her.

A few minutes passed, and Lenny appeared, approaching her with a serious expression. Rachel felt a chill run through her body as she turned to him. “What happened? What was that?” she asked, her voice low.

She looked at him, her eyes shimmering and soon forming a layer of tears she struggled to hold back. “I need to tell you something. It’s important.”

“And what is it?” Lenny seemed restless, as if the family’s tension had finally reached him.