Chapter 5

Susan's POV:

As my pregnancy progressed, it became increasingly challenging to hide my growing belly. 

I resorted to wearing oversized clothing, hoping to conceal the physical evidence of my situation. 

Attending classes became more difficult as morning sickness and nausea plagued me, causing me to skip them frequently.

The inevitable day arrived when my parents would discover my secret. 

I had prepared myself for this moment and devised a plan to move out as soon as they found out. 

That morning, lying in bed at 9 am, feeling sick and emotionally drained from a night of tears, my father approached me.

"Susan," he said softly, his hand gently touching my face. "You're running a fever. Baby, are you okay? Is there something you want to tell me?"

I sat up on the bed, forcing a smile on my face. "Like what? I told you I went to the hospital, and they said it was malaria. I'm on medication, and I'll be fine soon."

"You and I both know it's not malaria, dear," he replied, his voice filled with concern.

My heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

"Susan ...are you pregnant?" he asked, his words hanging in the air.

I nervously swallowed, trying to compose myself. "What?"

"You heard right, Susan ...are you pregnant?" My mom entered the room, her hands clasped together. She had been there the whole time, unsurprisingly.

"Honey, let's not be too harsh on her," my dad interjected, trying to ease the tension.

Realizing there was no escaping the truth, I decided to face it head-on. "Yes, I am," I admitted quickly.

"Is it Austin's?" my mom asked, her tone revealing a mix of disappointment and hope.

I struggled to hold back the tears, but they betrayed me, streaming down my face. "No. It's someone else's. I don't even know him."

My parents exchanged glances, their disappointment etched on their faces. 

I couldn't help but cry, overwhelmed by their disapproval.

"We're so disappointed in you, Susan ...how could you?" my mom gasped out in pain.

I sobbed uncontrollably, pleading for their forgiveness. But all they did was look at me with weariness as I cried myself into exhaustion.

A week later, the atmosphere at home had become suffocating. 

Despite my family's attempts to support me, the underlying disappointment and shame emanating from my parents made it unbearable. 

My brothers, filled with pity, added to the discomfort.

My mom no longer allowed me to participate in cooking or chores. 

They restricted and monitored my movements, confining me to my room. 

Ryan became my chauffeur, driving me to school every day. 

I hardly spent time with Sarah and Ruth, except during class or in the canteen.

Feeling tired and fed up with being treated like a sick person, I decided to break the news during dinner.

"Dad, Mom, I'm moving out," I declared.

Ethan and Ryan didn't seem surprised; they probably anticipated this decision given my constant desire to move out someday. 

However, my parents were taken aback.

"Susan, baby, the fact that you're pregnant doesn't mean you're no longer our daughter. 

Who will take care of you if you move out? You have no idea how to be a mother," my dad reasoned.

My mom remained silent, her displeasure evident in her annoyed expression.

"What do you think, honey?" my dad asked her.

"I think it's good for her," she replied, despite her true feelings suggesting otherwise.

I was relieved that she agreed with me. "She's probably feeling suffocated by all of us

She can go stay on her own, but not too far that we cannot reach her," my mom added, her words conflicting with her expression.

My dad disapproved but kept his silence. The decision seemed settled. 

I will move out in three days.

Three days later, I stood ready to embark on my journey to a new apartment downtown, closer to my school. 

The rented van was loaded with the last box of my belongings. My brothers looked at me with a mix of pity and concern, their default expressions becoming more annoying than comforting.

"We'll come visit, sis. Take care of yourself," Ryan said, pulling me into a hug.

My parents also embraced me, and I fought back tears. Their display of emotion was unusual, and it felt strange to be treated like a human being for once.

"We love you, Susan. Don't forget that, okay?" my mom whispered.

I nodded, my voice choked with emotion. "Okay."

"Make sure she settles in properly before you leave, Ethan," my dad instructed.

"Yes, Dad," Ethan replied obediently.

I gave them one last look before Ethan and I climbed into the van. He took the driver's seat, and I settled into the passenger seat.

"Ready?" Ethan asked, glancing at me.

"Yeah," I replied, a mix of uncertainty and determination in my voice.

With that, we set off towards my new chapter, leaving behind the familiar and venturing into the unknown. 

As the van carried us away from my childhood home, I couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. 

The road stretched out before us, a ribbon of asphalt leading to destinations unseen. 

The cityscape gradually transformed into sprawling landscapes, each passing mile marking our departure from the familiar. 

Thoughts whirled through my mind like leaves caught in a gust of wind, a jumble of excitement, anticipation, and a tinge of sadness.

Ethan glanced at me, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. We shared a silent understanding, a bond forged through years of friendship and now evolving into something more. 

The weight of our decision hung in the air, but neither of us faltered. We were ready to embrace the challenges that awaited us, to chase our dreams and create a future of our own.

As the van hummed along the open road, I watched the scenery change, nature's canvas transforming with every passing moment. 

The bustling cityscape gave way to rolling hills and picturesque valleys. 

It was as if the landscape mirrored the journey of our own lives, the bustling streets replaced by wide-open spaces, inviting us to explore the vast expanse of possibilities.

Memories of my childhood home lingered in my thoughts, a tapestry woven with laughter, tears, and bittersweet moments. 

But now it was time to bid farewell to that chapter, to embrace the unknown with open arms. 

The anticipation pulsed through my veins, an electric current fueling my determination.