10

Rachel’s POV

I started considering Sophia's suggestion to leave the country, the decision weighing heavily on me. My mind, went back and forth, thinking about every possible outcome, But in the end, I finally agreed to Sophia’s advice.

It wouldn't be easy, saying goodbye to the place where I had spent my entire life, where every memory, both good and bad, was embedded. But Sophia made it possible, determined, her support was unwavering as she helped pack our belongings, making arrangements for a fresh start.

As we gathered the rest of our things, something hit me, hard. A sudden realization sets in making my breath stuck in my throat.

I have not had my monthly period in a while.

I froze as the thought finally settled in, cold and heavy. I tried to recall the last time, but my mind came up blank. How had I not noticed before? Or maybe I was just ignoring the signs, I had been feeling thoroughly weak and had been vomiting all through the week. The struggles of the past few weeks, overshadowed everything, I didn't even notice a change in my own body.

Panic surged through me, and as if confirming my intuition, I suddenly clutched my stomach, feeling nauseated. Could it be that I'm pregnant? Stumbling back, I dropped onto the bed, my mind racing. That night with Noah flashed before me, the way everything had happened out of control. It was just a night, could that one night have resulted in this?

I didn’t want to believe it, but I knew it was possible, deep down. And now, I am torn between keeping the baby or...I don't even want to think about it, the thought of getting rid of it made my stomach twist into knots. I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence in my mind. I just could not, Even though this baby came from a night I wanted to forget, it was still a part of me, a small, fragile life growing inside me.

I stood up and walked towards the mirror, staring at my reflection while rubbing my hand gently over my stomach. There was no bump yet, I was still flat, but yet, I could already feel attached to the little thing growing inside me. I can't get rid of it, the thought of it alone felt like tearing a piece of myself apart.

It hurt so bad, that I did not know what to do, emotions overwhelmed me. A combination of anger, fear, and mostly, confusion. Anger. My life had so far gone out of control, nothing seemed to go in my favor anymore. Even those that I thought, I knew, or had believed in, had all been stripped away from me, crumbling, in a matter of weeks.

But suddenly, I could feel a small spark of strength and determination set in, I wasn’t going to let this break me, and neither was I  going to let them, the people who had betrayed me, win. I thought, my hand still resting protectively over my stomach, something inside me suddenly changed, motherly instincts, maybe.

“Mum will be strong for you” I whispered, my voice affirmative despite the series of emotions swirling around me. “I’ll be a strong mother and protect you with everything in me.” I made a promise to myself and the little one growing inside me.

And then, with a deep breath.

“I’ll be back,” I vowed. “I’m not going forever, I'll be back to trample on every single one of them who had taken the path of ruining me.”

I made that bold promise to myself, I wasn’t so sure how I’d fulfill it, but I meant every word. I wasn’t the weak girl they had taken advantage of anymore. This time, I would be different. This time, I would fight.

I stood up from the bed, my resolve hardening as I looked around the room one last time. Sophia had just walked back in, her eyes locked on mine, and she squinted as if she could sense the change in me.

“You ready?” she asked softly.

I nodded, my hand still resting over my stomach. “I’m ready.”

Together, we finished packing the rest of our things. There was no turning back now.