6
844 Words
The journey felt longer than usual.
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Queen pulled her scarf lower, glancing around carefully before turning into Darren’s street.
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Her heart pounded.
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“Please don’t let anyone see me…” she whispered.
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She tightened her grip on the small bag in her hand.
Inside it—
Money.
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Money she wasn’t supposed to take.
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She reached Darren’s door and knocked softly.
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This time—
It didn’t take long.
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The door opened.
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Darren stood there, looking tired.
More tired than before.
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“You again,” he said quietly, stepping aside. “Come in.”
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Queen entered slowly, her eyes immediately searching the room.
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The baby was lying on the bed.
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Crying.
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Her heart dropped instantly.
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“Why is she crying?” Queen rushed forward. “Darren, what happened?”
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“I don’t know!” he replied, frustration in his voice. “She’s been crying like that for almost an hour.”
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Queen quickly picked her up.
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“It’s okay… it’s okay…” she whispered, rocking her gently.
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The baby’s cries slowly reduced.
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Darren watched silently.
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“You see?” he said after a moment. “She needs you.”
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Queen’s chest tightened.
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“I came as fast as I could,” she said.
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He scoffed lightly.
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“As fast as you could?” he repeated. “Queen, this is not something you visit like a friend.”
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His words stung.
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“I know,” she said softly.
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“Do you?” he asked. “Because I’m here every minute. I don’t sleep. I don’t eat properly. I don’t even understand half of what she needs.”
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Queen looked at him.
Really looked at him.
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His eyes were red.
His face stressed.
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“I brought money,” she said quickly, handing him the bag.
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Darren frowned.
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“Where did you get this?”
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She hesitated.
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“I just… managed.”
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His expression darkened.
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“Queen,” he said slowly, “don’t lie to me.”
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She looked away.
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“I’ll return it,” she whispered.
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Silence.
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“You stole it?” Darren asked.
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Her eyes filled with tears.
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“I didn’t have a choice,” she said.
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“You always have a choice,” he replied sharply.
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“And what choice do I have?” she snapped, her voice breaking. “Tell my parents everything? Lose my future? Lose everything again?”
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The baby stirred in her arms.
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Queen’s voice dropped immediately.
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“I’m trying to fix this,” she whispered.
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Darren shook his head.
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“By making things worse?” he asked.
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She couldn’t answer.
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Tears rolled down her cheeks.
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“I’m tired…” she admitted softly.
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The words hung heavy in the room.
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“I’m tired of lying,” she continued. “I’m tired of being scared. I’m tired of pretending everything is okay when it’s not.”
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Her voice broke completely.
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“I don’t even recognize myself anymore,” she cried.
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Darren went silent.
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For the first time—
He didn’t argue.
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Queen sank onto the bed, still holding the baby tightly.
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“I thought I could handle it,” she said. “I thought I could balance everything.”
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She shook her head slowly.
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“But I can’t.”
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Silence filled the room.
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The baby was calm now.
Resting against her chest.
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Queen looked down at her.
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“I’m failing her,” she whispered.
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Darren stepped closer.
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“No,” he said quietly.
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She looked up.
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“You’re trying,” he added. “And that counts for something.”
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Tears fell again.
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“It doesn’t feel like enough,” she said.
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He sighed.
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“It’s not supposed to be easy,” he said. “If it was, everyone would do it.”
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Queen let out a weak, broken laugh.
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“I don’t even know what I’m doing,” she said.
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“Neither do I,” Darren admitted.
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She looked at him.
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“Then what do we do?” she asked.
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He paused.
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Then sat beside her.
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“We figure it out,” he said.
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Queen stared at him.
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“Together?”
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He nodded slowly.
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“Together,” he said.
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For a moment—
Everything felt still.
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Not fixed.
Not perfect.
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But shared.
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And somehow—
That made it a little easier to breathe.
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Queen leaned back slightly, holding the baby closer.
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“I’m scared,” she admitted.
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Darren looked at her.
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“Me too,” he said.
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And for the first time—
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They were honest.
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Not just about the baby.
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But about everything.
- Writer
