BETRAYAL HURTS

I’m about to use a spare key to open my boyfriend's apartment door, when i hear loud moaning and banging coming from inside.

"Oh yeah, right there baby!".

"Don't stop fucking me with that big dick, please!"

My heart clenches. What could be going on in there? With trembling hands, i insert the key and turn it slowly. The lock clicks and i carefully push the door open.

The scene that greets me, makes my blood run cold. My boyfriend Jake is naked on the couch, thrusting wildly between the spread legs of another woman.

Jake is grunting and sweating as he pounds into her roughly. He doesn't even notice me standing there, mouth agape in shock.

The floozy wraps her legs around his waist, pulling him in deeper. "Mmmm fuck yeah, I'm gonna come all over your dick! Don't stop!" she screeches.

I stand there frozen, hot tears welling up in my eyes.

Finally, Jake looks up and spots me in the doorway. His face goes pale. "Oh shit," he stammers, scrambling off the woman. "Baby, this isn't what it looks like!"

I let out a harsh laugh, wiping away angry tears. "Really? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you just fucked another woman on the couch!" I scream.

The skank sits up, completely unashamed. She even has the nerve to give me a smirk.

"I trusted you!" I cry, feeling my heart shatter. "I can't believe you would do this to me!"

“Melissa—wait, I can explain—” Please baby, I love you! I fucked up, but this was a huge mistake!"

“Explain?” I let out a bitter laugh, my voice shaking with anger.

“I’ve been trying to reach you for two weeks! Two damn weeks! I thought something happened to you, so I came to check. But you were just busy pounding another woman?”

He reaches out like he can fix this, but I step back, clutching the key in my hand, the same key I once used to walk into his life.

I throw it at him, hard. It hits his chest and falls to the floor with a sharp clink.

“Keep it,” I snap. “You’ll need it for your next girl.”

My chest burns, eyes stinging, but I don’t let him see me cry. I turn for the door, my voice breaking with rage.

“Fuck you,” I hiss, slamming it behind me.

I rush out of the apartment, tears already blurring my vision. My hands shake as I wave down a taxi, voice cracking when I give the driver the address.

Athenora Royal Hotel, please.

The driver glances at me through the mirror, maybe noticing the mess I am, but says nothing. The city lights blur past the window, gold and cold, mocking me for ever thinking love was safe.

When the car stops, I pay him quickly and head inside. The hotel’s familiar scent of perfume and polished floors hits me, but tonight, it doesn’t feel like home.

I walk straight to the staff dressing room, and the moment the door shuts behind me, the tears fall hard. I lean against the locker, shaking, my chest tight with pain.

I call my best friend, voice trembling. “He cheated on me, Mia. I saw him. With her. On his couch.”

She gasps, her voice breaking through the phone. “Oh my God, Mel. Come home. Please. Don’t stay there tonight.”

I wipe my tears with the back of my hand. “No. I need something to distract me. I’ll be fine.”

Before she can argue, I hang up. I take a deep breath, open my locker, and pull out my uniform , black skirt, white blouse, name tag shining under the light.

I change quickly, fix my hair, and stare at my reflection. My eyes are red, but my face is set. I’m not going to cry anymore.

I step out of the dressing room, push open the heavy door, and walk out.

The hotel corridors are buzzing with life tonight. The soft thump of music from the royal club mixes with laughter from guests passing by.

Everyone seems to be having a good time.

Everyone but me.

I push my service cart through the hall, pretending to focus on work, but my mind keeps replaying what I saw, him, with her, on his couch.

My heart aches all over again.

I stop outside one of the VIP suites to deliver a tray of champagne. When I knock and step in, the sound of soft music and giggles greets me.

Two couples are cozy on the couch, kissing, laughing, their happiness spilling into the room like sunlight.

The sight makes my stomach twist. I force a polite smile, but my hand shakes as I pour a glass. A little of the drink spills on the lady’s dress.

She jerks up immediately. “Are you blind?” she snaps.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am,” I say quickly, reaching for napkins.

Before I can say more, my supervisor steps in, his expression tight.

“Melissa,” he sighs, “you’re not yourself tonight. Go home and rest.”

I nod quietly, holding back tears. “Yes, sir.”

But I don’t go home. I wheel my cart back toward the staff bar, heart pounding. “Two glasses of tequila and one vodka,” I say to the bartender, keeping my voice steady.

He nods, thinking it’s for a guest. The moment he turns away, I slip the drinks onto my tray and head for the dressing room.

Once inside, I lock the door, slide to the floor, and stare at the glasses. My reflection in the mirror looks like a stranger, red eyes, trembling lips, heartbreak written all over my face.

I grab the first glass. It burns going down.

The second one feels smoother.

By the third, the pain starts to fade, replaced by a dizzy calm.

I laugh softly, though it sounds broken. “To heartbreak,” I whisper before finishing the last one.

And just like that, I start drinking myself into a blur that I’ll regret by morning.

The hallway spins as I stumble out of the dressing room, my heels clicking unevenly on the marble floor. The world feels soft around the edges, like it’s floating.

I try to remember the way out, but the corridor looks longer than usual. Every turn feels unfamiliar, every gold door identical. I giggle quietly to myself, hiccuping as I walk. “Left… or right?” I mutter, swaying a little.

I keep going up, searching for the exit, but instead of finding the staff lounge, I end up in the royal wing. The carpet is thicker here, the air quieter, like even the walls are holding secrets.

My head throbs, and I reach for the nearest door handle, mumbling, “Maybe I can rest here… just for a minute.”

The door creaks open, and I slip inside, closing it behind me with a soft thud.

The room smells different, expensive cologne, whiskey, and something darker.

Music plays low, deep and slow, like a heartbeat.

Then I see him.

A man sitting in a half-open shirt, broad shoulders glinting under the golden light. A glass of liquor in his hand. He’s too handsome, too intense, like trouble wrapped in royalty.

His eyes lift from his drink, finding me instantly. They’re sharp, dark, and curious.

He tilts his head slightly, voice low and smooth.

“Who let you in?”

RECKLESS NIGHT

His eyes lock on me, sharp, dangerous, and so piercing that I forget how to breathe.

I blink a few times, trying to steady myself, but the room keeps spinning. “I… I’m sorry,” I mumble, gripping the door handle for balance. “I must’ve—uh—got the wrong room.”

He sets his glass down slowly, his gaze never leaving me. “You think?” His voice is deep, rich, and laced with something that sounds like amusement.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding. “I didn’t mean to—uh—interrupt your little party.”

He leans back on the couch, his shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal sculpted abs and a faint tattoo curling up his neck. The sight makes my stomach flip.

He studies me for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re drunk.”

I tilt my head, smiling weakly. “You’re drunk too.”

That makes him chuckle, low and husky. “Maybe,” he says, lifting his glass.

“Why?” I ask, stepping closer. “Were you cheated on too?”

His jaw flexes. “Drunk, yes,” he says quietly. “Cheated on, no.”

Something about his tone makes me pause. There’s weight behind it, pain, maybe anger.

I blink at him, swaying a little. “Then why drink alone?”

He lifts a brow, a faint smirk tugging his lips. “Maybe I needed to forget,” he says, voice low, steady. “And you?”

“I needed to feel nothing,” I whisper, moving closer until I can smell the faint spice of his cologne. “Mind if I join you?”

He studies me for a long moment, quiet, unreadable, then nods once. “Go ahead.”

Without waiting, I reach for the glass in his hand. Our fingers brush, and my stomach flutters. I bring it to my lips, taking a slow sip. The taste is rich, smooth, and warm as it slides down my throat.

“Mmm,” I hum softly. “Strong… but good.”

His eyes follow the movement of my lips, curiosity flickering in them like a secret flame. He doesn’t speak, just pours another drink and hands it to me.

Minutes pass. We drink in silence, the only sounds are the soft music and the clink of glass.

By the time the bottle’s almost empty, I can barely feel my legs. The world feels soft, slow, and blurry. I giggle for no reason, my hand brushing his arm as I lean in.

He watches me, not with judgment, but with quiet fascination, like he’s trying to figure out who I am and why I feel so broken.

“I think…” I mumble, laughing under my breath, “I’m hot .”

As he smiles at me, I can't help but notice how attractive he is. His chiseled jaw, his broad shoulders, the way his shirt stretches across his chest... I lick my lips, suddenly feeling very hot.

"Hey, are you okay?" The stranger asks, noticing my unfocused gaze. "You look a little flushed."

"I'm fine," I insist, even though I know I'm not. The alcohol is making me reckless and bold. "I'm just...in the mood for some fun."

He raises an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And what kind of fun did you have in mind?"

I lean in closer, resting my hand on his thigh. "The kind of fun that involves you and me...alone. In this bed."

His eyes darken with lust as he realizes what I'm implying. "Are you sure that's a good idea? You’re drunk..."

"We are drunk, and I don’t care," I slur, reaching up to undo a button on his shirt. "I want you. Right now."

He doesn't stop me as I continue to undress him, revealing his toned chest. I trail my fingers over his abs, feeling the heat of his skin.

"Fuck it," he growls, suddenly grabbing me and pulling me into a deep, passionate kiss. Our tongues dance as we both moan into each other's mouths.

When we finally break apart, we're both panting. "Let's continue this in bed," I say breathlessly.

He nods, helping me to my feet. We stumble over to the bed together, not caring that we're both still a bit tipsy.

Once there, we both fall onto the mattress in a tangle of limbs, kissing and groping each other. I can't seem to get enough of him, running my hands over every inch of his body.

He makes quick work of my clothes, tossing them aside until I'm bare. He takes a moment to admire my naked form before lowering his head between my legs.

"Oh god," I moan as he starts licking and sucking at my most sensitive spots. He knows exactly what he's doing, driving me wild with pleasure.

When he slides a finger inside me, I nearly come undone right then and there. "Please, I need you," I beg, tugging at his hair.

“Please ,” I whimper, spreading my legs wider.”

He doesn't make me wait long. He positions himself at my entrance and thrusts in deep, filling me completely. We both cry out at the sensation, our bodies fitting together perfectly.

He sets a fast, hard pace, pounding into me again and again. I wrap my legs around his waist, urging him deeper.

"Yes, yes, fuck me harder!" I scream, too far gone to care about being quiet. The bed creaks and bangs against the wall with each powerful thrust.

He reaches between our bodies to rub my clit, sending me hurtling towards orgasm. "That's it baby, come for me," he grunts.

My muscles clench around him as my climax crashes over me like a wave. "OH FUCK, yes!" I scream, seeing stars.

He follows right behind me, buried deep as he fills me with his hot seed. We both collapse together, panting and sweaty.

The night slips into a blur of mistakes and longing, the kind that can’t be undone.

******************************************************

A throbbing pain pulses in my head as I slowly open my eyes. The light spilling through the window blinds me for a second, and I groan, clutching my temples.

Then I notice it—

Clothes scattered across the room.

Mine.

My eyes go wide, and I jolt upright, the silk sheet sliding down my bare skin. A sharp scream escapes my throat before I can stop it.

“What the hell…” I whisper, heart pounding so hard it hurts.

I’m naked. The air smells faintly of wine and something… masculine.

…the faint trace of expensive cologne still lingers in the air.

I look around, panic rising in my chest. The room is quiet, too quiet. My gaze darts to the chair near the bed where a man’s jacket hangs, royal looking, and rich in fabric.

But he’s gone.

My breathing quickens as flashes of last night hit me in pieces, his eyes, his voice.

“Oh my God…” I whisper, covering my mouth.

What did I do?

FRESH GRADUATE

I scramble out of bed, clutching the sheets to my chest. My legs feel weak as I reach for my uniform crumpled near the door.

The sound of running water startles me. My heart jumps to my throat.

Someone’s in the bathroom.

I freeze, panic surging through me. He’s still here.

Quickly, I grab my clothes, fumbling to get dressed. My hands shake as I pull on my uniform, tucking in the wrinkled shirt, trying not to make a sound.

I’m almost at the door when it opens.

He steps out, a towel wrapped low around his waist, droplets of water sliding down his chest. His eyes widen slightly when he sees me.

“Wait—” he starts.

But I cut him off before he can finish. “Don’t. You don’t have to say anything.”

He looks confused. I keep going, my voice sharp and trembling. “No strings attached. No names. And I don’t ever want to see you again.”

Something flickers in his gaze, like surprise, or offense.

“You asked for it,” he says finally, his tone cold but steady. “And I don’t want anyone twisting this into something it’s not. I have a reputation to protect.”

His words hit harder than I expect. A reputation? Who even is this man?

I swallow hard and force a small, shaky smile. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me. Even though…” I hesitate, “I don’t even know who you are.”

He watches me for a long second, then turns to the dresser and picks up his wallet. “Take this,” he says, offering me money.

I stare at it — then back at him.

“No,” I snap, anger burning through my embarrassment. “I’m not for sale.”

His brows lift slightly, but he doesn’t say a word.

“Enjoy your perfect life,” I mutter, storming out. The door slams behind me with a loud, bang, that echoes down the hall.

I hurry down the long corridor, keeping my head low and my steps quiet. My heart won’t stop racing. I just need to get out, before anyone sees me.

The elevator feels too slow, so I take the stairs, clutching my bag to my chest. My uniform is wrinkled, my hair a mess, but I don’t care.

When I reach the lobby, I glance around. Almost safe.

“Melissa?”

I freeze.

It’s Eva, one of my colleagues, staring at me with a confused look. “Why are you still here? I thought your shift ended last night.”

My stomach knots, but I force a weak smile. “Uh, yeah. I… I fell asleep in the staff quarters.”

She tilts her head, clearly unconvinced. “You look… tired. Are you sure you’re okay?”

I let out a shaky laugh and nod quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… need some air.”

She opens her mouth to say something else, but I cut her off before she can dig further. “Listen, Eva, I’m really late. I’ll see you later, okay?”

Without waiting for her reply, I rush past, my heels clicking against the marble floor.

Outside, the cool morning breeze hits my face, and I finally breathe again. I wrap my arms around myself as if it could hold me together.

Everything from last night feels like a bad dream — except it’s not.

I glance back at the grand hotel, the sunlight glinting off its golden crest at the top.

…the golden crest at the top, House of Drakonis.

The sight makes my stomach twist. That name sounds familiar, like something I’ve heard before in passing, but my mind is too foggy to think.

I shake my head, trying to push the thought away. “Forget it,” I whisper to myself.

Pulling my jacket tighter, I walk faster toward the bus stop, blending into the crowd of early commuters. Every step feels heavy, my body aching and my mind spinning with guilt and confusion.

Last night was a mistake, a huge one.

And whatever happened in that room… stays there.

***************

I stumble into my apartment, my head pounding and my stomach in knots. The moment I close the door behind me, the familiar scent of vanilla candles and coffee fills the air, comforting, but it only makes the guilt sting sharper.

“Where the hell were you?” Mia’s voice hits me before I can even take another step.

She’s standing by the couch, her eyes wide with worry and confusion. “You didn’t come back last night. I called, like, ten times.”

I can’t look at her. My throat tightens as my bag slips from my shoulder to the floor. “I—” My voice cracks. “I messed up, Mia. I messed up big time.”

Her expression softens immediately, worry deepening. She walks closer. “What happened?”

Tears burn behind my eyes. I press my palms against my forehead, shaking my head. “I can’t— I don’t even know how to start. It’s just… bad.”

She places a hand on my arm. “Hey, it’s me. Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

Her calm tone breaks me. The shame, the recklessness, it all comes crashing down. I sink onto the couch, my hands trembling. “I got drunk,” I whisper, staring at the floor. “And I… I hooked up with a total stranger.”

Silence. Just the soft hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. When I finally glance up, Mia’s eyes are wide, but not judging, just shocked, processing.

“Oh fuck!,” she breathes out, then quickly sits beside me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “Hey, it’s okay. We all make stupid decisions sometimes.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s not okay. I don’t even remember everything, Mia. I feel sick just thinking about it.”

She pulls back slightly, brushing away a tear from my cheek. “Then don’t think about it right now. You need to rest.”

“But we have our last lecture today—”

She cuts me off gently, smiling. “Forget the lecture. You’ve got excellent attendance, and Professor Grey barely takes roll calls anyway. Take a shower, sleep it off. You look like you’ve been through hell.”

I nod weakly, too exhausted to argue. As I drag myself toward the bathroom, the weight of last night still presses on my chest, heavy, suffocating. I turn the shower on, hoping the water can wash away at least a little of the regret clinging to me.

**********************************************

Three weeks have passed since that night, since I quit my job at the hotel and swore to bury the memory somewhere deep, where it can’t reach me again.

Today, though, is different. Today is *mine.*

The sun is bright and golden over the university courtyard, the air filled with laughter, camera flashes, and the rustle of graduation gowns.

I adjust my cap, trying to keep the tassel from poking my eye, and for the first time in a long while, I let myself smile, really smile.

My parents are beaming with pride, my brother waving from behind his phone as he records everything. Mia’s beside me, squealing as we toss our caps in the air.

The sound of our cheers echoes like freedom itself.

“Finally! We are graduates!” Mia laughs, pulling me into a hug.

“I can’t believe it either,” I say, breathless with happiness. “After everything…”

She squeezes my hand. “We earned this, babe. We really did.”

The celebration rolls on, photos, food, laughter. For a moment, I forget all the chaos that led me here. I forget the guilt, the fear, the sleepless nights.

Until I see him.

I’m pregnant

I'M PREGNANT

My ex. Standing near the parking lot, wearing that same smug grin that used to make my skin crawl. And right beside him, a shiny black car wrapped with a red bow.

My smile fades instantly. He waves, striding toward me like we’re old lovers reunited. “Congratulations, sweetheart,” he says smoothly. “Thought you might like a graduation gift.”

The people around us glance curiously. I fold my arms, steadying my voice. “Take your gift and leave.”

He chuckles, pretending not to hear. “Come on, don’t be dramatic—”

“Leave,” I repeat, sharper now. “Or I’ll call security.”

That wipes the smile off his face. He mutters something under his breath, then turns and walks away.

I exhale, my heart pounding, but I don’t regret it. Not this time.

When I turn back, Mia is watching me with a proud smirk. “That’s my girl.”

I laugh weakly. “The graduation’s officially a wrap.”

As the crowd begins to thin, I glance up at the sky, clear, open, endless. For the first time in weeks, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, this is the start of something new.

*******************************************************

I’m sitting cross-legged on my bed, laptop balanced on my knees, typing away at my CV. The hum of the ceiling fan fills the room, and the faint scent of Mia’s coconut hair oil lingers in the air.

I’ve been at this for hours, rewriting and deleting, trying to sound confident and professional, anything but the mess I’ve been lately.

Across the room, Mia lounges on her side of the bed, scrolling endlessly on her phone. Every few seconds, she gasps or giggles at something, making little commentary to herself.

“Ugh! Listen to this!” she suddenly says, her voice bubbling with excitement.

I hum distractedly. “If it’s another celebrity scandal, I don’t want to know.”

She ignores me, sitting up straighter. “No, this is huge! The future king of Athenora, just got married, to the princess of Valeris Kingdom. Oh my God, look at this picture!”

I glance up briefly, amused. “You and your royal obsession.”

Mia sighs dreamily. “He’s so handsome it’s unfair. And their wedding? Exotic and epic, like straight out of a fantasy movie.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “You fall in love every week, Mia.”

She grins. “Can you blame me?”

I smile faintly, turning back to my laptop. My fingers move over the keyboard, but suddenly the words blur. A strange twist hits my stomach, sharp, uneasy.

I pause, pressing a hand to my abdomen.

The feeling intensifies, turning into a churn so strong I can barely breathe. Heat rushes through me, and before I can make sense of it, nausea hits hard.

“I—” I start to say, but my voice dies in my throat. I drop my laptop on the bed and dash toward the bathroom.

Mia sits up instantly. “Hey! Are you okay?”

I barely make it in time, gripping the sink as I retch, the sound echoing harshly against the tiled walls. My stomach twists again, and I gasp for air, feeling weak and disoriented.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I sit up on the edge of my bed, my hands still trembling a little. The taste of mint toothpaste lingers in my mouth, but the nausea hasn’t gone away. My mind races as I try to figure it out.

Maybe it’s something I ate? I think hard. The noodles from last night? Or the coffee this morning? My stomach grumbles again in protest, and I groan softly. “It’s probably just food poisoning,” I mumble to myself.

Determined to ignore it, I go back to my laptop, trying to focus on polishing my CV. But barely a few minutes pass before that awful churning hits again, harder this time.

“Oh, not again,” I whisper, pushing the laptop aside as I rush for the bathroom.

Mia looks up, eyes widening. “Seriously? You’re throwing up again?”

I nod weakly, gripping the sink as another wave hits me. When I finally emerge, I feel drained, my skin cold and clammy.

“Melissa, you look pale,” Mia says, walking closer, her voice lined with concern. “Like, really pale. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I don’t know,” I mutter, sitting back on the bed. “Maybe it’s just stress or something.”

She tilts her head, studying me carefully. Then her brows knit together. “Wait… when last did you see your monthly flow?”

I freeze. My heartbeat skips. “Uh… I—I was supposed to see it last week. But it’s probably just delayed. Hormonal changes, maybe.”

Mia’s eyes narrow. “Delayed? That’s weird. You’re never late — you’re like a clock.”

“I know,” I say quickly, forcing a shaky laugh. “It’s fine, really. It’ll come.”

But she doesn’t look convinced. “Melissa …” she starts softly, sitting beside me. “That night — the one you told me about. The stranger. Did you guys use a condom?”

The air leaves my lungs. My mouth opens, but no words come out.

How can I remember? I was so drunk, everything from that night is a blur of lights, voices, and mistakes. My head pounds as fragments of that night flash through my mind, his touch, his voice, the way everything felt like a dream I shouldn’t have been in.

“I… I don’t know,” I whisper finally, voice trembling.

Mia’s eyes widen. “Oh my God.”

And that’s when it hits me — the realization that makes my stomach twist all over again.

“No,” I whisper, shaking my head. “No way. No, no, no.”

“Melissa —”

“No way!” I scream, standing up so fast my laptop nearly falls off the bed. My pulse is racing, my world spinning. “I can’t be pregnant. I can’t!”.

Mia grabs her purse, her face pale but steady. “Wait here,” she says quickly. “I’ll rush to the store nearby and get a test kit.”

“Mia, you don’t have to—”

She cuts me off. “Yes, I do. We need to know, Mel.”

Before I can protest again, she’s already halfway out the door.

The room goes painfully silent. Only the hum of my laptop and the faint traffic noise from outside fill the air. I start pacing back and forth, my fingers twisting nervously in my hair.

I can’t sit still. My mind keeps spinning, jumping from one horrible thought to another.

No… it can’t be that.

Maybe it’s stress. Maybe it’s food. Maybe my hormones are just messed up.

But deep down, a cold fear coils in my chest, the kind that won’t be reasoned with.

I stop by the window, staring out at the street below. People walking, laughing, living, while I feel like the ground beneath me is about to crack open.

Tears sting my eyes. “Please, God… not this. Not now,” I whisper under my breath.

I haven’t even figured my life out yet. I just graduated. I quit my job. I don’t have a plan, not even a proper direction.

And a baby? I choke on the thought. I can’t even take care of myself… how would I take care of a child?

The fear is suffocating. I press my hands to my chest, trying to breathe, trying to calm down, but every second that passes feels heavier, like the walls are closing in.

When I finally hear the front door open and Mia’s hurried footsteps returning, my heart jumps into my throat.

She appears in the doorway, breathless, holding a small paper bag.

“Okay,” she says softly, her eyes filled with both worry and strength. “I got it.”

I swallow hard, staring at the bag like it’s a ticking bomb.

My voice is barely a whisper. “What if it’s positive, Mia?”

She looks at me for a long moment before answering. “Then… we’ll face it together.”

Mia holds out the small paper bag with trembling hands. From it, she pulls out not one, but two test kits.

“Here,” she says softly, forcing a weak smile. “Let’s be sure. Just… double-check, okay?”

I stare at the boxes in her hands, my heart thudding so loud it echoes in my ears. “Two?”

She nods. “Yeah. No mistakes this time.”

My fingers feel numb as I take them from her. The plastic feels heavier than it should, like I’m holding my entire future inside two little sticks.

Mia squeezes my arm gently. “It’s okay, Mel. Whatever it says, we’ll deal with it.”

But the fear in her eyes mirrors mine.

I walk slowly toward the bathroom, my knees weak, my stomach twisting again. Once inside, I close the door and lean against it, breathing hard. The small room feels too quiet, too bright.

I unwrap the first test, then the second, my hands shaking the whole time. The few minutes feel endless. I can hear my pulse pounding, my breath shallow.

When it’s done, I set them on the counter and stare at the little windows, willing them to show something else. Anything else.

But they don’t.

I stand there frozen for a moment before finally gathering the courage to walk out.

Mia’s already on her feet, eyes locked on me. “Well?” she asks, voice trembling.

I can’t even speak. I just lift my hand, showing her both sticks.

Her eyes dart down to the results, and widen. “F—” she gasps, her voice breaking. “*Fuck!* Both are positive!”

The words slam into me like a wall. I just stand there, staring blankly, as tears gather in my eyes. My throat burns, but no sound comes out.

“I—” I finally whisper, shaking my head, “what… what am I supposed to do now?”

Mia covers her mouth, tears glistening in her eyes too. “Oh, Mel…”

The world around me feels distant, muffled, like I’m underwater. My hands tremble as I stare at the two thin pink lines that have just rewritten my entire life.

I’M PREGNANT 2

The moment I sit on my bed, my knees give out like something inside me has snapped. The mattress dips under my weight and the room suddenly feels too small, too quiet, too bright. My vision blurs as tears spill down my cheeks, hot and endless. My hands won’t stop shaking.

“What will I do, Mia?” I whisper, my voice breaking into pieces. “What am I supposed to do?”

Mia doesn’t hesitate. She drops beside me and pulls me into her arms, wrapping me up in the kind of hug that feels like a lifeline. Her shirt absorbs the first of my silent sobs. She strokes my back gently, her voice low and soothing.

“Melissa … breathe. Just breathe, okay? I’m here. You’re not alone in this.”

I grip her like the room is spinning and she’s the only steady thing left. The fear sits heavy on my chest, thick, suffocating, relentless. I feel it pressing down on every breath, squeezing until I’m almost gasping.

She pulls back slightly and cups my cheeks, wiping my tears with her thumbs. “Listen to me,” she says softly. “Whatever happens… whatever decision you make… I’m with you. Every step, every moment. You hear me? I’m not leaving you.”

Her words make me cry harder. Not loud tears, just those quiet, aching ones that drain the soul.

Then she hesitates, her eyes flickering to the test kits lying on the bed like evidence from a crime scene. She swallows and looks at me carefully. “Mel… are you thinking of… getting rid of it?”

My entire body goes still. I blink, stunned, the thought hitting me like cold water.

I lift my eyes slowly to hers. “No,” I whisper, shaking my head. “No, Mia. I—I could never do that.” My voice trembles violently. “It’s my unborn child. I know it came from my carelessness but I can’t punish it for my mistake.”

Mia nods instantly, squeezing my hand in understanding. “Okay. Good. I just needed to know how you feel. Don’t worry, I’m not judging. I just wanted you to say it out loud.”

I breathe out shakily, and she sits beside me, pulling her legs up, facing me fully.

“But,” she continues, biting her lip, “what if… what if it’s your ex boyfriend’s?”

I let out a humorless breath. “Mia…”

She tilts her head, waiting.

I inhale deeply, gathering courage. “It’s not possible.”

“Why not?” she asks softly.

“Because I haven’t had sex with my ex boyfriend for over a month before he cheated on me,” I say, each word hurting like it’s ripping something open inside me.

“We were already fighting… already falling apart. He found someone else.” My hands tremble, and I grip the bedsheet to steady them. “This—” I motion to my stomach, “isn’t his. I’m a hundred percent sure.”

Mia’s expression softens with painful understanding.

“So… it’s from the one-night stand.”

My throat closes. Saying it out loud makes it real in a way the tests didn’t.

I nod slowly. “Yes. It is.”

The silence that follows stretches across the room like a thick fog. Mia looks at me, sympathy deep in her eyes, not pity, never pity, just the painful ache of watching someone she loves suffer.

“So… the father is a stranger.” She says the words gently, carefully.

A stranger.

I shut my eyes tightly, the memory of that night stabbing me like a cold blade.

“That karma caught up with me,” I whisper, laughing bitterly through my tears. “Of course it did. I judged my ex for cheating, for lying, for betraying me… and look at me now. Pregnant for a complete stranger because I was too drunk to think.”

“Mel—”

“No,” I say, shaking my head violently. “This is karma. This is consequences. This is life teaching me a lesson I was never ready for.”

Mia moves closer and holds my hand tightly. “It’s not karma. Stop saying that.”

But she doesn’t understand.

“Mia, where do I even find the stranger?” I ask, my voice cracking. “I don’t know his name. I don’t know his job. I don’t know where he lives.” My words come out in broken breaths. “I don’t know anything.”

Mia watches me, her brows knitting with worry.

“And what do I even say to him?” I continue, my tears flowing freely. “Hi. Remember me? The drunk girl you slept with? Surprise, I’m pregnant?” I laugh again, but it’s hollow, painful, ugly. “He’ll think I’m crazy. Or lying. Or trying to trap him.”

Mia shakes her head firmly. “You don’t know that.”

“But I don’t know anything else either!” I snap, my breath hitching. “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know if he’s married, or engaged, or in a relationship. I don’t know if he’s kind or cruel. I don’t even remember what his voice sounds like!” My chest tightens painfully. “All I remember is being drunk and waking up to a total stranger.Stupid. Broken.”

The room falls quiet except for my soft sobbing. Mia pulls me into another hug, rocking me gently like a child. I cling to her, my tears soaking her shoulder.

“You’re not stupid,” she whispers. “You were hurting. People do reckless things when they’re hurting.”

“But now there’s a baby involved,” I whisper back.

“I know.”

“And I’m broke. I’m jobless. I just graduated. I don’t even have my life together.”

“I know.”

“And I’m scared, Mia. I’m so scared.”

She holds me tighter.

“It’s okay to be scared,” she says softly. “You’re human.”

I bury my face in her shoulder, my voice muffled. “What if I can’t be a good mother? What if I fail this child before it’s even born?”

“You won’t,” she says firmly. “You’re already worrying about them. That’s love, Mel.”

A shaky breath leaves me. My hands instinctively rest over my stomach.

My stomach.

The place where a life, small, fragile, innocent, is growing.

The thought crushes me and comforts me all at once.

Mia reaches over and gently places her hand on top of mine. “You’re going to figure this out,” she says softly. “Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But you will.”

My tears slow, but the ache remains. A heavy, overwhelming ache.

“And even if you can’t find the father,” Mia continues, “you won’t be alone. I’m still here. I’ll help you. We’ll figure everything out together.”

For a moment, I just breathe. In and out. In and out.

Then I whisper, “But how do I start, Mia? How do I even begin?”

She looks at me with a determined softness. “One step at a time.”

I turn my head, looking at the two pregnancy tests lying on the bed.

Two tiny windows.Two pink lines.One irreversible truth.

My life will never be the same again.

And for the first time since Mia held my shaking hand, I whisper the words that have been clawing at my chest:

“I’m pregnant for a stranger.”