I burst out laughing, Ethan must be joking, he couldn't be serious.He and I just started having s*x not up to a week ago, there was no way I was pregnant so soon. "I can't be pregnant" I stuttered, doing the maths in my head, It just couldn't be, the little biology I learned in high school coming to me like lightning. "Please tell me you're joking," I pleaded my heart beating so fast, I couldn't be pregnant for Ethan, not with everything going on right now. "I just can't be" I found myself repeating those words. "A baby, I can't bring a baby into this world for you, I am too young and you are too old," I said staring at the floor and shaking my head. "What would that even mean, what would people say, I can't be a single parent, I can't be with you forever" The overthinker in me took over. I found myself blabbing, words I wouldn't normally say to Ethan, things I worried about when I thought about a future with Ethan. It took me a second to calm down, and when I did I realized h
9 weeks later, (Two months one week)Ethan held my hand as the doctor scanned my stomach, my heart racing as I felt anxious.Ethan had managed to make me fall in love with being pregnant, the idea of having a little human grow in my stomach overtook all my feelings of being too young and the obstacles of being with Ethan. "Congratulations, your baby is healthy," The Doctor said, moving the scanning machine around my stomach."Would you like to hear its heartbeat," the doctor asked and I nodded. "Of course" Ethan replied and I smiled.I had no regrets about having a baby with Ethan anymore, within these past few days he had shown me how much he loved me and that he was ready to be there for me. "Lup-dub-dub" The sound of my baby's heartbeat made my heart flutter, the little tadpole-looking human floating in my womb, I grinned feeling elated as tears began to fall from my eyes. "My baby!" I whispered before the doctor took the ultrasound machine away from my body and turned it off.
He opened the box to reveal a massive diamond ring. I gasped as my heart sank, staring at the ring. I felt elated but uncertain. My heart told me yes but my mind was conflicted, and logic bombarded me as I thought about it all.'Marry Ethan?' with Jake and Gloria on my neck, could I? I looked at his hopeful eyes and beautiful face, he made me happy and I loved him. I took a deep breath saying "Yes" "Yes I would marry you" I said out loud extending my left hand and allowing him put the ring on it. 'To hell with Gloria and her son, I am going to be happy' I thought to myself as Ethan got to his feet lifting me with Excitement. "You are not going to regret this" he promised swinging me like a baby as I giggled. "I love you so much," Ethan said placing kisses on my lips. "I love you too" I giggled in excitement. I still felt butterflies around Ethan and marrying him seemed like a good idea. He put me down and I leaned to kiss him."what do you say we celebrate upstairs" I sugge
"killed??" I exclaimed trying to make sense of it, Alfred was in prison, he had been in jail for the past few months and was awaiting trial. "Who? What do you mean killed him" I bombarded Ethan with questions watching him get off the bed and move to the closet to change, I got up following him. "Christopher must have done something," Ethan said so sure that Gloria's father was responsible."But, how? I thought, he stopped talking" I asked. "Is Gloria's father that dangerous?""That's a huge accusation" I could see my questions were making him uncomfortable, it just didn't make sense to me, the reason Alfred's trial kept getting delayed was because they were trying to make sure they managed how much information he let out, why would they suddenly kill him now. "I don't know dear, I can't tell until I get there" he explained and I shook my head holding his hands. "Get where?" I wondered furrowing my brows at him. "To the station, I need to find out what happened," Ethan said and
I fell to the ground, clutching my face. "What are you doing?" I gasped, struggling to get back on my feet."You just said your father is in danger. There’s no time for this," I scolded, ignoring the throbbing pain from Jake’s punch, my thoughts focused on saving Ethan."You fool!" Jake spat as I quickly got up."The plan was to get you outside and kill you, but I’ve changed my mind. Why waste any more time?" His expression twisted into one of disgust and hate before the monster in him emerged."Ethan is not in danger?" I realized aloud. I didn't need him to answer; it dawned on me, I was a fool.My heart raced as I realized I had let crazy Jake into my house without security."So, what’s your plan now?" I stuttered. "I know you’re angry because I’m dating your father, but," He cut me off."Shut the fuck up," he said, pulling a knife from his pocket and pointing it at me."Shut the fuck up!" he yelled again, and I did, closing my mouth and watching him."You and that bastard you have
The sound of the heart machine beeping in my head, as white light flashed through my eyes, I struggled to open my eyes but the light was too bright making me close it and adjust to it before opening it again. I opened my eyes to find myself in a white room, I had watched too many movies to know this wasn't heaven, and immediately told myself, I was in a hospital bed. I felt a hand grab mine and I turned to find Ethan sitting beside me. "Emily you are awake" his deep voice vibrated, his eyes looked swollen red. I didn't say a word, I didn't have the strength to. I surveyed the room looking at the equipments I was plugged into and tears began to roll down my eyes. I laid there silently for a while playing the events of what happened in my head, I didn't think I could survive, I didn't think I would wake up after all that. I put my hands on my stomach feeling it wrapped in a bandage, "my baby?" I thought. "How is my baby" I asked glaring at Ethan who just shook his head. "you l
A month later.When I arrived at Ashville, I received an unexpected call from my bank. Informing me that a staggering $100 million had been transferred to my account. The sender? Ethan Marcel.At first, I was upset, I felt insulted and annoyed that he felt I could easily be compensated, but when I thought about it, I realized I deserved it and more. I moved back to my family house, struggling to conceal my depression from my father. He had no idea I was pregnant, so how could I possibly tell him that I had a miscarriage and might have killed someone? The weight of those secrets bore down on me, suffocating my spirit.Living each day was a struggle. I used the art gallery as a distraction, pouring myself into my work to escape the memories of New York. I told my father nothing about what happened, only that Ethan and I were no longer together. He also didn't press me on the details, I guess he could tell just how heartbroken I was.I made a promise to myself to forget Ethan and e
A message from Ethan and it read, "Your happiness is all that matters to me, it's nice to see you smile again" My heart skipped a beat as I read the message. How did he know I was smiling? I wondered turning around and looking around the environment like a fool. I tried not to grin from ear to ear out of excitement as I looked at the message again. "What is wrong with you Emily' I scolded myself, he still had a hook on me and I hated it. "Is everything okay" Wayne wondered, noticing me turn and smile like a fool."I don't know, you tell me," I said staring at him with suspicious eyes. "Do you know Ethan, did he send you here?" I asked glaring at him as he shrugged. "Who? What? What are you talking about" Wayne asked cluelessly and I soon realized how ridiculous I must have sounded. "Sorry, I just received a weird message," I said scratching my head nervously. "Okay, can I still give you my number" Wayne wondered not bothering himself about the details of my temporary insanity
"What are you waiting for? Don’t leave the poor guy hanging," my father teased, raising his fist in the air. "Say yes," he said, joining the chants. The moment those words left his lips, it felt like the world paused. Everything I had ever wanted, everything I had ever hoped for, was falling into place. My father’s approval was the last piece of the puzzle. With a heart full of joy, I turned to Ethan, my voice shaky with excitement. "Yes!" I said, extending my hand to him. Ethan's smile widened as he slid the ring onto my finger. He lifted me into the air, swirling me around, and I giggled, my heart fluttering with excitement. It was a moment of pure bliss, as though nothing else existed in the world but us. When he finally set me down, I noticed Jennifer walking toward me, a soft smile on her face as she held a beautiful white dress in her hands. "You always said you wanted to get married in your mother's dress," she said, holding out my mother’s wedding gown, now perfectly alte
"What's going on, Dad?" I asked, my voice rising above its normal pitch, my heart starting to race. "Just come home, Emily. Now!" he yelled, ending the call abruptly. I stared at the phone, my mind blank. What could possibly be the problem? I couldn't think of anything, except maybe, like my mother, my father was sick too. I took a deep breath, dialing Ethan's number to inform him that I was getting on the next flight to Ashville."My dad just called me. He sounded really panicked. I think something is going on, and I have to go home now," I said as soon as Ethan picked up the call."Is everything okay? Did he say what was wrong?" Ethan asked. I shook my head as if he could see me."No, he just said I should come home. I'm going to the airport now to get the first ticket home," I felt the need to keep him informed."Just hold on. I'll call the pilot to take you," Ethan said, reminding me that he had a private jet. "I'll call the driver to take you to the hangar right now," he added,
"Long story short, his parents aren’t dead," Ethan said as he pulled into one of his mansions."What?" I exclaimed. "Don't shorten the story! Please, tell me the full details," I demanded, watching him park in the underground garage.Ethan sighed and turned to face me. "Wayne’s parents are not dead," he repeated.I narrowed my eyes, waiting for more. "They're at the island," Ethan continued.My eyes widened. "When I took you to the island, I used the opportunity to see them. They've been hiding from Christof because he wanted them dead. They stole from both me and Christof," Ethan explained.I nodded, starting to piece things together. "And the video?" I asked.Ethan smiled. "Faked. It was a video I made to convince Christof they were dead. He was starting to doubt my kills," he said with a shrug."And you didn't tell me? You let me judge you all this time?" I said, feeling a pang of guilt."Your judgment wasn’t far from the truth. I have killed people, Emily," Ethan said, locking eye
"So, tell me," I said, staring at him, my eyes glistening with curiosity.Ethan smiled. "A very important person owed me a favor. When Rose called, I decided to cash it in," he said.I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Who is this very important person who could easily turn a death sentence into nothing?" I wondered aloud.Ethan chuckled. "That’s my little secret," he teased, and I smiled."But," he added, "it wasn’t exactly changed from a death sentence to nothing. Someone else took the blame."My eyes widened, and I shot him a sharp glance. "An innocent man took the blame for you? That’s not fair!" I scolded."I wouldn’t call him innocent," Ethan replied casually, his tone so nonchalant it made me roll my eyes."I thought you said you’ve changed," I huffed, folding my arms across my chest."I have changed," Ethan insisted, but I just rolled my eyes again."Then tell me exactly what happened," I demanded, noticing he was only giving me snippets of the story. My eyes stayed fixed on him,
"Please, let's be a family," Ethan pleaded, kneeling before me and pulling out the ring, the same ring he had proposed with over three years ago. I watched him, a weak smile tugging at my lips. "I don't think this is the best place to propose," I said softly, glancing around the hospital room. "Besides, the floor isn't exactly sanitary. Please, get up." I said everything except what he wanted to hear."Well, answer me so I can get up," he replied, a smile playing on his lips. I glanced over at Jennifer, who nodded, urging me to say yes. I looked back at Ethan, my sweet Ethan, still on his knees."I love you," I said slowly, "and I would love to have a family with you. But I can't marry you." The words felt heavy as they left my mouth. I helped him to his feet, but I could see the hurt in his eyes."Why not, Em?" Jennifer’s voice cut through the silence that followed my answer."Marriage is... too heavy," I explained, feeling the weight of my father’s disapproval bearing down on me.
"Then don’t do it," Jennifer urged softly, her voice steady but filled with concern. I shook my head, tears streaming down. "I have to," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I don’t have enough love to give them at the moment. They deserve more than a broken mother," I thought to myself. The nurse, standing nearby, remained silent, her face professional yet kind. She quietly placed her Doppler aside and handed me a tissue to wipe my tears. “You can head back to the doctor’s office,” she instructed gently. Jennifer and I both nodded, and we made our way down the hallway, my heart heavy with each passing moment.As we got to the doctor's office, we pushed open the door without knocking, only to stop abruptly. Another patient was seated inside. “Oh! Sorry,” Jennifer exclaimed, starting to close the door, but the doctor’s voice cut in. “No, Ms. Sanders, come in,” the doctor urged, his tone serious but also welcoming. I hesitated at the door, reluctant to walk in or speak about my choice
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jennifer’s voice was soft, yet filled with concern as she held my hand tightly. We walked into the clinic, the sterile smell of the place overwhelming my senses, and my heart raced in my chest. I could barely focus as I tried to take deep, steady breaths. "Yes, Jen," I replied, though the words felt hollow, like I was trying to convince myself just as much as I was convincing her."You just found out you're pregnant," she continued, her eyes searching mine for any flicker of doubt. "Wouldn’t it be better to wait? To think it through a little more?" Her voice was gentle, but beneath it was a plea.I shook my head, biting my lip to keep the tears at bay. "I don’t want to change my mind." The words came out firmer than I expected. I didn’t want to be swayed. I couldn’t be. I needed to do this before the weight of everything crushed me completely."I’ll go in myself," I urged, my voice quieter now. "Wait in the car with Irene and the others." I couldn’
“What!” I exclaimed, my eyes widening in disbelief. I turned to Jennifer, who looked just as shocked. “It can’t be,” I stuttered.Jennifer turned her head towards me, confusion etched across her face. “I thought you said you and Jason never…” she wondered.I nodded. “Never,” I echoed, panic rising within me.Jennifer looked back at the doctor, her voice firm and certain. “You must be mistaken, doctor. My friend has been celibate for over three…” Before Jennifer could finish, I cut her off. “I haven’t been celibate!” I whispered, feeling the heat of shame wash over me. My mind flashed back to the afternoon of her wedding, the memory of Ethan flooding back, the heat of the moment, our impulsive connection, and my frantic rush to escape afterward, forgetting the after pill.Jennifer’s expression shifted to one of motherly concern. “Who?” she asked, her voice firm. I bit my lip, avoiding her gaze, my eyes darting to the doctor, who was watching our exchange intently.“Ethan,” I murmured,
Six Weeks Later: The Final Hearing"Please, don't go through with it," I pleaded, my eyes fixed on Ethan as we stood together just before the trial. For almost six weeks, he had refused my visits, and this was the first time I'd seen him. He looked thinner, worn down by time in custody."You look pale. Are you okay?" Ethan asked, concern flickering in his eyes.I shook my head. How could I be? I had been feeling sick constantly, throwing up, dizzy, and suffering from headaches."Are you eating well?" Ethan’s voice softened. "Isn't Jason taking care of you?" He asked and I frowned at the mention of Jason. "We broke up," I whispered, my voice barely audible. After Ethan turned himself in I couldn't bear be with Jason, i was always sad around him, never giving him the time and attention he deserved, hence i had to break up with him, but he didn't takes it well, he insisted he could wait for me to heal and feel better, but i knew from the bottom of my heart that I could never love him. N