Reclaimed Fate

Worst nightmare

SARA’S POV

The bathroom fell mute.

The pregnancy stick was still on the floor, two pink lines, my world was crumbling, I stared at the stick tears rolling down my eyes to my cheek.

A baby..a baby from my one-night stand, a man whose name I only know, my Mr one-night stand.

My knees hit the cold floor as I stared down, shivers rushed down my spine, I placed my hands on my face, goosebumps all over my body while I navigated everything.

No words left my mouth, just tears from my eyes and confusion about my next step. For the second time this year, I Sara Wesley, am spiraling.

A CEO who closes million-dollar deals but struggles to keep herself put, divorced three weeks ago, now a baby from that night.

How can a 25-year-old girl endure such? Did I do wrong by wanting a man who doesn’t want me? Where did I go wrong?

The door knocked, softly.

“Mom.” Anna’s little voice came through.

“Yes baby,” I said trying to put myself together.

“You’ve been in here for a long time, is anything the issue?”

“No baby, give me a second I will be with you.”

“Okay, Mom.” She replied before leaving.

I stood up, went straight to the mirror looking at who I’ve become in the space of three weeks.

I flushed the toilet, took a picture of the stick before tossing it into my trash can. Got back into the toilet, washed my face and hands, applied a lotion, shoved the second stick in my bag, and left the room.

I paused at the step, took two breaths slowly before going to meet Anna.

“Mom let’s make mini chicken sliders for the next show.”

“Alright baby, let’s go make some.”

We prepared them, took them into the parlor while watching a show. I took Anna to her room, recited the night prayer, then read her a story till she fell asleep. Kissed her goodnight and went to my room.

I couldn’t sleep all night, I stayed awake thinking of what to do. At 3 AM I called Maya.

“Girl, are you okay?” She asked with a sleepy voice.

“No.”

“What happened?”

“I’m pregnant.”

“I suspected so. What are your plans?”

“I don’t know baby girl, I’m so confused.”

“Whatever decision you take I’m supporting, be it abortion, adoption, single mom. I am supporting you a hundred percent.”

“Definitely not abortion,” I said taking a deep breath.

“You want to keep the pregnancy?”

“Yes, maybe. I don’t know honestly. I’ve been a mother before, there is joy in motherhood.” I whispered. “I want to show them undying love.”

“I think you’ve made your choice,” she paused “Whatever you do always consider the company, the board, Brenda, the press. You know how it is.”

“Yes I do, I haven’t concluded yet.”

“Alright baby girl, get some rest. We’d talk about this better in the morning.”

“Alright. Goodnight.”

I said before I hung up.

Maya is right, as the CEO of Wesley Industry my face is everywhere, the press is always looking for what to say about me, the board is not fully on my side, my business partners can end the contract at any point, Brenda would always remind me of how I being shame to the family, how I’m nothing but disgrace to sisterhood, she would abuse me at any given chance, knowing about this pregnancy would be a different case.

She’d go around telling people how unfit of a mother I am, she tells badly of me at family dinners, at events, at church, she would bring it up every time she's with mom, she might go about spreading the news of my divorce.

I fell asleep while thinking.

My alarm woke me up by 4:30 AM, I stood up feeling heavy. I needed to make a decision, fast.

I said my prayers and headed for the kitchen, I checked the menu for today “Smoked Salmon Bagels.” It’s too early to prepare it, I just made myself a coffee while watching a show.

I would keep this baby, i can’t kill my child.

Brenda would not know, the press would not know, I will raise the child alone, this child would bear my name instead of his father on the birth certificate, no one would know who the father is, and if they question I would not answer.

I came to my conclusion. When I checked the clock, it was 5:30 AM, I went to Anna’s room for the usual. I brushed and bathed her, dressed her up, checked the time again, 6:50 AM.

While she was watching a show, I prepared the Smoked Salmon Bagels, gave her some for breakfast, and she dug into the food while I prepared scrambled eggs and Salad she’d take to school.

At 7:12 AM I dropped her off at school, headed back home, and dressed for work. I had a meeting with the board, by 12 PM we finished and I went to get lunch.

My phone beamed light, Maya.

“Girl, have you come to any conclusion, don’t be scared to do whatever you want, I’m backing you.”

I smiled, she is always there for me.

“Yes darling, I’d keep the pregnancy. The baby would bear my name on the birth certificate.” I hesitated a little before pressing the send button.

“Alright baby, you know best. I’m going on a date, I’d give you the full gist when I’m back. I love you, muah.”

I smiled and put the phone aside. I continued eating when my phone rang, I declined the call and put it on DND (Do Not Disturb).

Lunchtime was over, I went to the office to check my next meeting when I saw eleven missed calls from one number.

Did anything happen to Mom or Anna?

I called the line immediately;

“Sorry, I’m just seeing your calls. Any issue?”

When the person responded my heart sank, the phone slipped from my hands to the floor.

James, he is requesting to see Anna and talk about other things.

My worst nightmare is back.