The one night stand

Chapter 1

Two pink lines

My world tilted

What

The plastic stick trembled in my hand as though it carried the weight of a verdict. I blinked again, hoping, praying, that my eyes were lying. But no. Two faint pink lines stared back at me

I’m pregnant

The words left my lips in a whisper I barely recognized. They sounded foreign, like they belonged to someone else

My chest squeezed painfully as I sank onto the toilet lid. My legs wobbled, my thoughts spun, my throat closed up until breathing felt like drowning

This can’t be happening. Not to me

A knock rattled the bathroom door. Sharp. Impatient

Emily

My stomach sank. Ava

Of course

Are you deaf She snapped from the hallway. You’ve been in there forever

Before I could shove the test into my pocket, the door creaked open a c***k. Ava’s eyes landed on my hands, sharp and predatory, and widened in mock delight

Oh my God

Her smirk spread like wildfire across her perfect face. She pushed the door wider, strutting in like the room belonged to her

Don’t tell me… She snatched the test from my hand, holding it high. You’re actually pregnant

Her voice rang out, dripping with satisfaction

My throat clenched shut. I wanted to deny it, to scream at her to leave, but the words jammed inside me

She laughed, cruel and loud. You b***h. f*****g slut…This is priceless

The word cracked something inside me

Ava spun on her heel, smirk widening. Mom and Dad are going to love this

No Ava wait My voice barely made it out

But the slam of the door was final

Tears streaming down my eyes

What have i done?? Oh God!

Silence filled the bathroom, thick and suffocating. I stared at the tiles, my breath shallow, the test shaking in my hands. I was the disappointment. The mistake. The failure who worked two jobs while Ava wore designer dresses and basked in our parents’ affection

And now this. Pregnant

The door burst open again, this time with fury. My mother’s eyes fell on me, then on the test. Her face twisted in disgust

Tell me this is a joke

Behind her, my father loomed, expression thunderous. And of course, Ava was there too, hovering smugly, feeding off the chaos like fire feeds on air

Mom I

Pregnant My mother’s voice cracked like a whip. You’ve shamed us Emily. Who is the father Some useless boy from your shifts Someone too pathetic to claim you

I shook my head, but no words came

You’ve ruined this family My father thundered. Do you realize the disgrace you’ve brought to our name

Tears blurred my vision, but my lips stayed frozen

Get out His voice was final, cold

My chest hollowed. Dad please

Take your shame with you

Ava stepped forward, her voice slick with satisfaction. Actions have consequences Emily. Don’t expect us to clean up after you

Their rejection was brutal. By nightfall, I was gone, dragging a small suitcase, clutching silence where my parents’ love should have been

Three Years Later

The tiny apartment smelled faintly of baby powder and coffee. Celine’s laughter rang through the air, bright and unrestrained as she darted across the floor clutching her stuffed bunny

Slow down baby I called, scrubbing at a pan in the sink. My voice softened despite the exhaustion in my bones

She spun to look at me, her dimpled smile like sunlight in the dim apartment. My chest ached with love. She was my everything

Fallon, my best friend and now roommate, leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed, watching us. “You really should think about preschool soon. She’s growing too fast.”

I sighed, drying my hands on a rag. Preschool costs money. Between rent, bills, food

Fallon rolled her eyes, though her gaze was warm. You always figure it out. Strongest woman I know

Strong. That word always felt heavy. Because the truth was, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could carry it all

But when Celine climbed onto my lap, giggling, I pressed my face into her curls. She made every struggle worth it

Later That Week

The grocery bag ripped open on the sidewalk, apples and rice spilling everywhere. Celine tugged my sleeve, wide-eyed

And of course, fate wasn’t done with me. Derek. My ex. And beside him, Lila. The girl who used to be my best friend

Lila’s eyes fell on Celine. Well well. Look at you. Single mother Emily

Derek smirked, hands buried in his pockets. Guess I dodged a bullet. Look at her now

Their laughter echoed, ugly and sharp. My chest burned but I lifted my chin. At least I didn’t waste my life chasing losers who can’t commit. At least I can stand on my own two feet instead of begging men for relevance. My voice cut like glass.

Lila’s smile wavered, but Derek leaned closer, puffing his chest. For your information, I work at Hayes Enterprises now. The biggest firm in the city. It’s only a matter of time before I become a manager. Then we’ll see who really lost.

I scoffed, gathering the apples. The only thing you’ll ever manage is disappointment, Derek. Hayes should fire you for just breathing in their building.

His face flushed, but I didn’t stop. You want to brag about a desk job? Do it with someone who cares. I’ll be at Hayes soon enough, and unlike you, I won’t need to sleep my way to the top or fake confidence to feel important.

His smirk slid right off his face, Lila’s arm tugging at his sleeve.

I straightened, clutching Celine’s hand. I may be a single mother, but I’m already more than either of you will ever be. Keep laughing. I’ll still rise higher than both of you.

I walked away without a glance back, Celine’s small hand tucked tightly in mine. Pride intact. Heart bruised.

***********

Hayes Enterprises I stared at Fallon in disbelief when she waved the job posting at me

Biggest firm in the city she said, grinning. They’re hiring for admin staff. Better pay, better hours. You need this

I wanted to argue, but deep down, she was right. I couldn’t raise Celine on scraps forever

The lobby of Hayes Enterprises gleamed like glass and gold. I clutched Celine’s lunch bag and my new hire folder, my stomach twisted with nerves. This job was a miracle, a chance to finally give my daughter more

And then I collided with him

Papers flew. Coffee splashed across leather shoes. My knees jolted with pain. His voice was clipped, low, commanding. Watch where you’re going

Something inside me snapped. I shot him a glare as I gathered my folder. Maybe if you didn’t stomp through here like you own the whole city, people wouldn’t have to dodge you like landmines

He froze. Dark eyes like carved stone fixed on me. Tall, broad, his suit screamed money. His silence pressed heavy, like no one had ever dared speak to him like that before

I straightened, heat rising in my chest. Some of us are just trying to survive. Not everyone has the luxury to strut around like a spoiled prince. My voice carried across the lobby. Gasps followed. I didn’t care

His gaze sharpened, unreadable. But before he could answer, a small voice rang out

Daddy

A little boy darted from across the lobby and barreled straight into me, tiny arms wrapping around my legs. He looked up at me with the same curls as Celine, the same bright eyes, even the same dimple when he smiled

My breath caught. No. It’s just coincidence. Just resemblance. That’s all

I crouched down, ruffling his hair gently. Hey there, sweetheart. You okay

The boy giggled, clinging to me like we’d known each other forever. Warmth swelled in my chest. Celine tugged my skirt, curious. The two children stared at each other like mirrors.

I glanced up, eyeing the man. Still angry about what he did but he wasn’t angry, just amused. But I didn’t care…