Chapter 2: what’s next

When I woke up the next morning, my eyes were swollen from all the crying I had done the night before. I lay in bed, not wanting to face the day ahead. But as I lay there, I knew I couldn't spend the rest of my life locked up in my room.I had to face reality, and I had to figure out what to do next.

I got dressed slowly and headed downstairs. As soon as I entered the living room, my mother and sister looked at me with steely glares. father, on the other hand, gave me a tight hug and asked ”what’s wrong sweetly” , I tried to hold back my tears, but they flowed freely once again when I told them everything.

At first, mother couldn't believe what she was hearing. ” you naïve child, you’re too trusting, and too foolish.” Elizabeth joined in, ”you deserved what you got for being so clueless. Josh doesn’t love you he only stayed with you because he didn’t know how to tell you we were in love” she said smugly.

I was hurt beyond words because I couldn’t say anything.

Father was the only one who stood by me, I wasn’t expecting anything different. He held me close and told me that he loved me, no matter what. ”And you Elizabeth I knew you were conniving but I didn’t expect you to do something like this, what is wrong with you” he loudly expressed his disgust at Elizabeth for her actions. ”stop shouting at Liz she did nothing wrong” mother still defending Liz dad shot her a glare ”you are the cause of this you spoilt Elizabeth so much she doesn’t know right from wrong” dad said getting upset. ” Dad calm down please” I said tears pooling from my eyes. If I don’t say something I knew things is going to get worst.

Mother always defends Elizabeth's action she never scold Liz for her wrong doing instead she throws all the blame at me.

"You know what?" he said. "I don't think you should go to the office today. You should stay home and take care of yourself. You need to get yourself together, my dear. Everything's going to be okay."

I nodded, grateful for dads love and support. I knew that he was right. I needed some time to myself, to process everything that had happened and figure out what I wanted to do next.

With a heavy heart, I trudged back upstairs. I went straight to my bedroom and sat down on my bed, thinking about everything that had happened. I couldn't help but remember the first time I had met Josh, and our first date.

As I sat there, lost in thought, tears began to stream down my face once again. My heart ached at the thought of what could have been, but the reality of the situation was too much to bear. I knew that I needed to move on, even though it felt like an insurmountable task.

As I lay on my bed, my hand caressing my barely noticeable baby bump, tears streamed down my face. The realization had finally hit me that I was going to be a single mother. I knew that I had to be strong for my baby, with everything that happened the weight of my situation was crushing me.

I spoke softly to my baby, telling it how much I loved it and how I was going to do everything in my power to take care of it. I promised that it would never feel the pain of abandonment that I had felt growing up.

But as I talked, my mind kept drifting to the future. Would I be able to give her everything it needed? Could I handle the sleepless nights and the constant demands of motherhood?.

The weight of my fears and doubts seemed to press down on me, suffocating me. I tried to push them aside and focus on the joy that this baby would bring into my life, but the fear was too strong.

I couldn't help but think about how much easier it would be if I had someone to share this burden with. Someone to hold me when I felt overwhelmed and to share in the joy of watching our child grow.

But there was no one. And as I lay there, feeling more alone than ever, I knew that I had to find the strength to make it on my own. For my baby's sake.

I wiped away my tears and took a deep breath. I knew that this was going to be a difficult journey, but I had to believe that I could do it. For my baby.

As I lay in bed, tears streamed down my face once again. This time, my thoughts were consumed by my unborn baby. I wondered if I was capable of being a good mother, and if my child would ever know the love of a father.

Later that evening, as I went downstairs to get some water, I ran into Elizabeth. She look at me smiling ” you know looking at you and seeing you so broken brings great joy to me” she said looking pleased. I didn’t even so much as look at her until she said ”Josh and I are getting married” trying to get reaction from me. I felt numb, not even bothering to reply to her hurtful words. I grabbed my cup of water and retreated back to my room, feeling the weight of sadness and betrayal.

The next morning, as we sat down for breakfast, my dad made an announcement. He told us about the arrangement his father had made with the Deluca family, "your grandfather was going through a hard time when he started the family business so he asked an old friend for help” he said looking at us ” his friend agree to help but they added a clause to the contract that his first granddaughter should marry the first grandson of Margaret Deluca.” Dad said deep in thought

Elizabeth immediately refused, ”dad I can’t marry that man, no one even knows the man he is probably an old, bald, pot bellied man.” She said in disgust, my mother agreed with her, “my beautiful Elizabeth can be paired with someone like that for the rest of her life as a matter or fact she is already getting married to Josh” She said. The tension in the room was palpable as my parents argued about the marriage arrangement between the Deluca family and our own. My dad was adamant that Elizabeth was to marry into the Deluca family, citing the business contract that was made between the two families.

My mom argued back, ”Elizabeth will not marry that man. She is my daughter, and she deserved to marry someone she loved, not a stranger.” She shouted.

My dad sigh ”do you know the consequences of breaking the contract?.” He asked my mom looked at him waiting for him to continue ”we could lose the business, our house, and all our assets.” He said angrily. To say mom is surprised is an understatement.

The DeLuca family was the wealthiest family in Hummingville, and we all knew not even dad could afford to go against them.

”Elizabeth is already carrying Josh's child” blurted out my mom, But my dad was not swayed. This is not the time for playing silly tricks. I was surprised I couldn’t believe what she just said.

My mom then produced a fake test that showed Elizabeth was indeed pregnant. My dad was taken aback, ”how could you be so careless, I told you to caution Elizabeth with her actions, you knew about the contract how could you allow this to happen Sharon.?” For the first time mom stayed quiet looking ashamed, but I knew it was all an act.

“Liz is already pregnant she can’t marry into the DeLuca family” mom said feigning concern. “We’re doomed. We are going to lose everything because of you. You couldn’t keep your daughter in check. I warned you so many times Sharon, you and your daughter will be the cause of our downfall” dad shouted mom jumped, frightened at the level of anger in dads voice. Like me Elizabeth is really carrying josh’s child even more reason why no one could know josh is the father of my child.

My mom then suggested " why don’t you let Amina marry into the DeLuca family instead.” My dad was hesitant at first, but eventually agreed. It was the only solution that would keep our family from financial ruin. Only if they knew I am also pregnant.

As I sat there, listening to my parents argue, I couldn't help but feel like my life was no longer my own. But I knew I had to be strong and face whatever lay ahead for the sake of my dad. He worked too hard to get where we are now.

I felt like my life was spiraling out of control. I didn't know this man, and I didn't want to marry someone I didn't love. But at the same time, I couldn't tell them about my pregnancy it would crush my dad, I couldn’t be the cause of our downfall.

As I tried to process my thoughts and emotions, I couldn't help but feel like I was trapped in a life that wasn't mine. But for the sake of my dad and my unborn baby, I knew I had to be strong and do this.