Chapter 2
716 Words
The Decision
The night stretched endlessly.
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She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her body exhausted, but her mind refused to rest.
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Beside her, the baby slept quietly.
So peaceful.
So unaware.
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Unlike her.
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She turned her head slowly, watching the tiny rise and fall of the baby’s chest.
A deep ache settled in her heart.
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“I can’t keep you…” she whispered.
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The words felt heavy.
Unforgivable.
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A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.
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“May I come in?” the nurse asked softly.
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“Yes,” she replied, sitting up slightly.
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The nurse entered, holding a tray.
“You should try to eat something,” she said kindly. “You need to regain your strength.”
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She shook her head.
“I’m not hungry.”
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The nurse paused, studying her.
“Is something bothering you?” she asked carefully.
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She hesitated.
Then spoke.
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“I’m not keeping the baby.”
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The room fell silent.
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The nurse pulled a chair closer and sat down.
“Have you spoken to your parents?” she asked.
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“No,” she answered quickly. “I can’t.”
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“Why not?”
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Her eyes filled with tears.
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“They just forgave me,” she said, her voice trembling. “They gave me another chance. They’re sending me to university.”
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She wiped her face quickly.
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“If they find out about this… everything will be gone.”
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The nurse listened quietly.
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“And the father?” she asked gently.
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Her expression hardened.
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“We’re not together anymore.”
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“Does he know about the baby?”
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She shook her head.
“No.”
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“Would he be willing to help?”
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She let out a quiet, bitter laugh.
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“I don’t think so,” she said. “We didn’t end things well.”
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The nurse nodded slowly.
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“I understand this is difficult,” she said. “But this is not a decision you should rush.”
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She looked down at her hands.
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“That’s the problem,” she replied softly. “No matter what I choose… I lose something.”
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The nurse didn’t argue.
She simply placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
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“Whatever you decide,” she said, “make sure it’s something you can live with.”
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After a moment, she stood up and left the room.
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Silence returned.
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She turned to the baby again.
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The tiny face.
The fragile body.
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So innocent.
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“So what happens to you now?” she whispered.
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Her heart began to race again.
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Tell your parents.
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She imagined their reaction.
The disappointment.
The anger.
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She closed her eyes.
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“No… I can’t go through that again,” she murmured.
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Another thought came.
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Take her to him.
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She froze.
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The boy she once loved.
The one she left behind.
The one who had looked at her with nothing but anger the last time they spoke.
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“If you walk away,” his voice echoed in her mind, “don’t come back.”
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Her chest tightened.
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“But she’s your child too…” she whispered.
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Slowly, she reached for the baby and lifted her gently.
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The baby stirred, letting out a soft cry.
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Her grip tightened.
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“If I leave you with him…” she said quietly,
“at least you won’t be alone.”
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Tears slipped down her cheeks.
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“But what kind of mother does that make me?” she added.
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She held the baby closer.
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“I don’t even know how to be a mother,” she admitted.
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Her voice broke.
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“I’m just trying to survive.”
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The room felt smaller.
Heavier.
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Because deep down—
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She knew the truth.
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This wasn’t just about the baby.
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It was about fear.
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Fear of losing everything again.
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She looked down one last time.
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“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
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And this time—
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I
- Writer
