Mistake at first sight

Chapter 6: Yet to decide

Alice is dumbfounded; her body wouldn't dare to move.

She is drowned in her pool of thought, staring at her reflection, hoping it might suddenly give her a different answer.

But it didn’t. Nothing changed.

“This can’t be happening…”

Her voice came out faint, almost distant, as if she were hearing someone else speak.

But the truth sat heavily in her chest.

Unshaken, Unavoidable.

Her grip tightened slightly on the edge of the sink as she lowered her head, her breathing uneven now.

“How…?” she whispered, though she already knew.

There was only one answer.

One night, one moment, she hadn’t thought that would follow her beyond the next morning.

Alice squeezed her eyes shut, her thoughts racing faster than she could control.

What was she supposed to do?

How was she supposed to handle this?

A sharp knock on the door pulled her back.

“Alice?”

Audrey’s voice.

Concerned.

Alice inhaled quickly, trying to steady herself.

“Y-yeah… I’m coming.”

Her voice wasn’t convincing.

Not even to her, she opened the door slowly.

Audrey stood there, her brows already drawn together. “You’ve been in there for—”

She stopped.

Immediately, her face and that of Alice met.

“What’s wrong?”

She knew she had to be gentle with her words this time.

Careful.

Alice hesitated.

Her lips were slightly shaking, but no words came out.

Not at first.

Then “I… I think I’m pregnant.”

Silence.

Audrey blinked.

Once, Twice.

Then a soft scoff

“You… think?” she repeated, her voice low, controlled—but the shock was there.

Alice swallowed. “I tested.”

“And?”

Alice didn’t need to answer.

The look in her eyes said everything.

Audrey exhaled slowly, running a hand through her hair as she turned away for a second, processing.

Then she turned back.

“Okay,” she said, more firmly now, we’re not panicking.”

“I’m not panicking,” Alice replied quickly.

Certainly, her trembling lips needed no explanation.

Audrey didn't sound familiar, raising an eyebrow in certainty.

“Your hands are dripping and shaking”.

Alice glanced down.

She hadn’t even noticed.

“I just—” she stuttered, then stopped, her voice catching slightly.

“I don’t know what to do.”

That was the truth; tears blurred his eyes.

Not fear, not regret.

Just, Uncertainty, clueless.

Audrey moved closer, her expression softening.

“First,” she said gently, “ breathe.”

Alice let out a shaky breath, accompanied by tears.

“Second,” Audrey continued, “you wouldn’t go through this alone. Whatever you decide, I’m here.”

The decision is ours.

The words settled slowly.

Steadily.

Alice nodded faintly, though her thoughts were still racing.

“There’s more,” she said quietly.

Audrey frowned.

“More?”

Alice hesitated.

Then—

“I don't know how to find him”.

Silence broke in again.

But this time,

Heavier.

Find who, don't tell me, “The father,” Audrey said slowly.

Alice nodded.

Audrey continued.

“You don’t have his number?

His name?

Anything?”

Alice let out a sigh of relief, almost a humorless breath.

“I have a name”.

Alice said in a soft yet firm tone.

Audrey waited.

“A company.” Alice continued.

Another pause.

“But not enough,” Alice added softly.

“Not enough to find him.”

Audrey stared at her for a second, disbelief flickering across her face.

“You’re telling me,” she said slowly, “that the man who got you pregnant is basically a stranger?”

Alice didn’t respond.

Because there was nothing to say.

Audrey let out a heavy sigh, shaking her head.

“Okay, okay,” we’ll revisit this later.

“Later?” Alice echoed.

“Yes,” Audrey said firmly. “At the moment, the only thing that matters is you.”

Alice looked at her, something fragile in her expression.

“And the baby.”

The words felt strange.

New, Heavy.

But very real

Too Real.

Audrey’s expression softened

completely this time.

“Yeah,” she said quietly. “And the baby.”

That night,

Alice stayed up all night. Sleep seemed to have slipped away from her.”

heart racing in a million thoughts, images on the ceiling began making sense, but thoughts didn't settle in.

Everything felt different now.

Her future, her plans, her life,

All because of one decision.

One night.

One man she didn’t even truly know.

She slowly placed her hands, subconsciously rubbing them against her stomach.

She is firm

Then let it stay there.

“This won't be smooth, nor do I know how things will turn out.” She whispered.

Her voice was firm and smooth.

Uncertain.

“But I know one thing…”

Her eyes closed briefly.

“I won’t run from it.”

And for the first time since that morning, her breathing steadied.

Not because things were okay.

But because she had made a choice.