Breaking
1063 Words
Dim lighting. The room is cluttered — signs of a late workday and a man trying to keep up with his own mess. Emmanuel is lounging on his couch in sweatpants, scrolling through his phone when the *doorbell rings*. He frowns, not expecting anyone.
He opens the door.
**Standing there is a woman. Stunning. Confident. Unfamiliar — at first.** But something flickers in His expression.
Brooke, early 20s, in a simple dress, eyes steady. And then — he sees it.
The **slight curve** of her stomach.
Brooke had a tight smile. “Hi. You probably don’t remember me.”
Emmanuel stares, completely thrown.
Emmanuel stuttered. “Uh… sorry. I—wait, have we met?”
Brooke smirked. “Club Zeus. Three months ago. You were drunk. So was I. You danced like you were trying to summon rain.”
Emmanuel, closed his eyes then groans. “Oh... my god”.
Brooke answered. “Yeah. You said your name was “Marvin” for some reason. Very mysterious.”
Emmanuel gave an awkward laugh. “That... definitely sounds like me trying to be cool. (beat)
Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but—.
Brooke cut in. “I’m pregnant.”
She says it plainly. No dramatics. Just truth. It hits him like a punch.
Emmanuel blinks in disbelief. “Wait—*what*?”
Brooke cuts in again. “Three months. Give or take. I did the math. You’re the only possibility.”
Emmanuel was skeptical. “Are you sure? I mean,I know we kissed and you initiated it, but I left you there, I don’t even remember—“
Brooke cuts in again. “I’m not here to guilt you or trap you. I’m not asking for anything yet. But I thought you should know. (She paused). You’re part of this story, whether you like it or not.”
Emmanuel runs a hand through his hair, backing into the apartment like he needs to sit before he collapses.
Emmanuel couldn’t understand what was going on. “Jesus. Okay. Wow. I mean… *wow*.” He managed to say.
Brooke got sarcastic. “I didn’t expect much from a one-night stand. But I also didn’t expect to be walking out of a clinic holding a sonogram.”
She pulls a folded image from her purse and places it gently on the table.
Brooke continued. “I’m keeping it. Him. Her. I don’t know yet. I’m just… doing it. I thought you deserved the truth.”
Emmanuel,stares at the blurry black and white print. His world is suddenly, terrifyingly different.
Emmanuel felt like he was trapped. “See, I have a girlfriend. I don’t even know your last name.”
Brooke felt bad. “It’s Turner. Brooke Turner.
(Her heart beats fast as she felt like she was breaking a relationship). You have my number now. What you do with it… is up to you.” She said as she dropped a stick on paper which she wrote her number on.
She turns to go. He doesn't stop her. Just stands there, stunned, the door slowly closing behind her.
The sonogram photo stays on the table. The only sound left is the low hum of his fridge and his heartbeat in his ears.
He tells her about the pregnancy.
ANNA COZY LIVING ROOM – NIGHT**
The fireplace crackles softly. A gentle amber glow flickers across the room. A record player hums with an old love song. On the couch, Brianna curls up beside Emmanuel , her head resting on his shoulder, a blanket draped over their legs. Outside, snow drifts lazily under a streetlight.
Brianna talked softly. “You always know how to make a night feel like magic.”
Emmanuel murmured. “Yeah… magic.”
She looks up at him, smiling, her fingers tracing little patterns on his chest. “You okay? You seem... somewhere else.”
Emmanuel blinks, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. He leans in and kisses her forehead, a little too quick. “I’m good. Just... long day.”
Brianna studies him for a moment. Her voice drops to a whisper. “Is it about work? You don’t have to carry everything alone, you know. You’re already a good boy by agreeing to work in your dad’s company.”
He hesitates. His arm tightens around her reflexively. “It’s not work. It’s... complicated.”
Brianna raised an eyebrow. “Then un-complicate it. With me.”
Emmanuel pulls back slightly. His eyes search hers, torn. He opens his mouth, then closes it again. The fire pops. Outside, wind brushes against the windows like fingers trying to get in.
Emmanuel was Speaking slowly. “A girl I saw at the club—months ago—when we fought and I went for a drink.She says she’s pregnant. Says it’s mine. She even brought the scan result.” He brushed his hand in his hair.
Brianna stiffens. The silence stretches. She whispered in a small voice. “Did she say it is or she thinks it is?.”
Emmanuel took in a heavy shaky breath. “She pinned it on me. Not text. She somehow got this place ... like it’s a fact. I’m not even sure I did it with her—(pause). I can only remember dancing with her and waking up to see her beside me. I haven’t told anyone. Not until I know more. Not until I know if it’s even true.
Brianna sits up, the warmth of the moment shattered but still clinging like smoke. “You’ve been holding that in?.” She asked him.
Emmanuel nods his head positively. “I didn’t want to ruin this... tonight... us.”
Brianna was quiet but felt wounded. “But it’s already here, Nuel. It’s already in this.”
They sit in the dim light, inches apart, the record spinning to a slow end.
Brianna continued. “Do you know why I’ll give you a benefit of doubt?” She asked him. He nods his head negatively. “Because we didn’t have s*x for three years and in jo way did I hear of you cheating on me. That’s the only thing I’m holding on to right now. So I’ll believe you for now.”
Emmanuel felt relieved. “Thank you so much. I love you.”
Brianna takes in a deep breath and goes to lay in another couch.
- Writer
