Chapter One

"MOM! MOM! MOMMY! MOM!..." Marianne's attention was drawn to her six-year-old daughter, Rose, who needed her urgently. "What's wrong, baby?" Marianne asked, snapping out of her thoughts.

Rose pointed to the overfilled peanut butter on her bread. "You put too much peanut butter on my slice!" Marianne gasped, quickly washing off the excess and drying her hands with a paper towel. "What a waste!" she exclaimed, disappointment etched on her face.

Marianne's mind had been preoccupied with the day's news - an unplanned pregnancy, unwanted by her boyfriend, Greg. For ten years, six months, and twelve days, Greg had emphasized the struggles of raising their daughter, Rose. He never seemed ready for the responsibility, making Marianne feel like she had forced him into parenthood. Despite her stability and readiness for another child, Greg's reluctance loomed large.

Feeling off for days, Marianne suspected she was pregnant and confirmed it with a home test. The positive result sparked fear about Greg's reaction, overshadowing her excitement. Rose, sensing her mother's distress, placed a tiny hand on hers. "Mom, are you okay?" Marianne, still lost in thought, slowly turned to her daughter. "Yes, baby, I'm just tired."

Rose persisted, "Are you sure, Mommy? You're acting weird." Marianne forced a humorous tone, "Are you calling me a liar?" She lifted Rose off the kitchen floor, showering her with kisses as Rose held tight to her neck. The tender moment was disrupted by Greg's entrance into the room, followed by an uncomfortable silence.

"Good morning, dear," Marianne greeted, trying to sound casual. Greg, oblivious to the tension, asked about breakfast and an early meeting. Marianne pointed to his plate, "That's yours. Would you like some coffee?" Greg declined and headed to the living room to watch the news before his meeting. As he took a bite of his sandwich, Marianne offered him juice, bracing herself to share the unexpected news.

"Thanks," Greg said, taking the glass of orange juice while his eyes remained fixed on the news. He set it on the stool beside the one-seater sofa, oblivious to Marianne's attempts to get his attention. She tried to casually pass in front of the television, hoping to catch his eye, but he was too engrossed in the news.

"Can I watch the news first before you start your usual chores, please?" he asked irritably, putting down his sandwich as if he'd had enough. "I'm sorry, I was just trying to get your attention. I—"

Greg cut her off before she could finish. "I can't right now, I have to get ready and leave quickly. Maybe later, or text me if you find the time," he suggested as he walked out to take a shower, leaving his plate and glass of juice behind. Marianne felt a surge of frustration and anxiety. She had been trying to tell him something important, but he never seemed to have the time or interest.

Marianne felt her anxiety spike with every passing minute, her heart racing as if she'd been running. She had anticipated various reactions from Greg about the baby, none of which were positive. But she was prepared, thanks to her mother's advice to always be prepared for any circumstance. Her mother had always told her to expect the unexpected and to have a plan in place, and Marianne had taken that advice to heart.

Throughout her teenage life, Marianne had made poor decisions, one after another. It was how she ended up in a relationship with Greg in the first place – "Five minutes of fun for a lifetime commitment," she often thought. She had been young and naive, and Greg had taken advantage of that. Despite this, she never regretted having Rose, who was always a blessing. The thought of having another child filled her with more joy than fear, except for the fear of possibly doing it alone if Greg refused to accept the situation, which was the most likely outcome.

It was puzzling how a woman like Marianne, full-figured and beautiful, with a warm and loving personality, ended up with a self-centered man like Greg. Marianne's curves and Brazilian skin tone complemented her light brown hair and eyes, and her lips were designed for warm, heartfelt kisses. She had a natural beauty that radiated from within, and she had a heart of gold. But low self-esteem can lead people to settle for less; Marianne lost her mother at a young age and her father was always away on business trips, leaving her with a grandmother who did her best but couldn't provide the emotional support Marianne needed.

As a result, Marianne had grown up feeling unworthy and unloved. She had sought validation in all the wrong places, including in her relationship with Greg. But now, with another baby on the way, she was determined to break free from her past and create a better future for herself and her children.

Marianne quickly cleaned up after Greg and Rose, who was engrossed in her favorite early morning cartoons in the living room. Seeing an opportunity for a brief moment with Greg before Rose started looking for her again, Marianne tiptoed to the bedroom and quietly closed the door behind her. She took a deep breath and began to speak, hoping that this time, Greg would finally listen.

"Greg, I need to talk to you about something important," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "I've been trying to tell you for days, but you never seem to have the time. I'm pregnant, Greg. We're having another baby."

The room fell silent, and Marianne's heart raced as she waited for Greg's response. She had anticipated anger, denial, or even indifference, but she had not expected the silence that followed. It was as if Greg had frozen in time, unable to process the news.