Chapter 158 Whose Child Are You Carrying?
"What did you say? You guys broke up for good? Weren't you just planning to get married?" Catherine stared at Susan, completely shocked.
Susan's face darkened. "We didn't get married. It's over for real this time, no chance of getting back together."
She said it to make sure Catherine wouldn't hold onto any hope.
Catherine got furious. She pointed at Susan, crying and yelling, "You two never give me a break! Are you trying to drive me crazy?"
Seeing her mom cry made Susan feel awful, but she didn't know how to comfort her. "Mom, why did you call me back so urgently?"
Catherine got even angrier, covering her face. "I'm so ashamed. Both my daughters are pregnant out of wedlock. At least you had a job, but Dorothy's still in school!"
Susan was shocked. She glanced at Dorothy's closed bedroom door, trying to process it.
"Mom, what did you say? Dorothy's pregnant?"
"She's been sneaking in and out, and I didn't notice. This morning, I saw her belly. I asked who the father was, but she wouldn't say. I got so mad I hit her, but she didn't make a sound. I've worked so hard raising you two, and now this! The neighbors are gossiping about us!" Catherine cried, feeling humiliated.
Susan was stunned. Dorothy, though stubborn, was always well-behaved. She was just in college. How could she be pregnant? She never mentioned a boyfriend.
Susan's heart skipped a beat. Dorothy had a long-time crush on Henry, but he, being a gentleman, had no feelings for her and wouldn't act on it.
Could she have done something reckless with another guy?
Susan couldn't stay calm. She rushed into Dorothy's bedroom.
Dorothy was sitting dejectedly at her desk. Susan noticed her slightly protruding belly. The baby must be over four months old.
Susan frowned, about to speak.
But Dorothy glared at her and said harshly, "If you're here to ask who the father is, don't bother. I won't tell you. And I'm not getting an abortion. I'm keeping this baby!"
Susan stared at her, wide-eyed. Dorothy looked down but determined. She really meant it, just like Susan had once been.
When Susan found out she was pregnant, she couldn't bring herself to have an abortion, even after just a few weeks. Dorothy's baby was much further along, and she must have already bonded with it, feeling it move by now.
Before Susan could say anything, Catherine stormed in, furious.
"If you don't abort this baby, how will you manage? Pregnant out of wedlock and not telling us who the father is—are you trying to piss me off?" Catherine yelled.
Dorothy ignored her, eyes downcast and silent.
"Look at her attitude!" Catherine fumed.
Susan tried to calm her down. "Mom, please, let me talk to Dorothy."
"What can you say? You can't even handle your own life. She's just following your example. Why did you and Seb break up again? If you can't give me a good reason, I won't accept it!" Catherine shouted at Susan.
Susan looked down, unsure how to respond.
Seeing her hesitation, Catherine scolded, "You two are the same. Do you think staying silent will fix anything?"
Though it was hard, Susan met her mom's gaze and said calmly, "Mom, Seb doesn't love me. He's marrying someone else. What's the point of me holding on?"
Catherine was stunned.
Susan saw a mix of shock, sympathy, love, and anger in her mom's eyes.
Then, Catherine suddenly calmed down and said quietly, "There's no point." She lowered her head and walked out of the room.
Susan knew her mom felt sorry for her, but she didn't want to focus on her own issues now. Dorothy's situation was more urgent.
Susan closed the door and sat in front of Dorothy, ready to talk.
Dorothy looked up and asked, "Susan, did you and Seb break up again?"
"We can't force it," Susan replied lightly.
Dorothy murmured, "It's really hard to explain."
Trying to connect, Susan said, "Dorothy, let's not talk about the father for now. You're still a student. How will you continue your studies with a baby?"
"I can take a leave of absence," Dorothy said stubbornly.
Susan pressed, "You can't support yourself and a baby. Have you thought about that?"
"I'll find a job after the baby is born. You and Mom will have to help me. Susan, I can't give up this baby. They move inside me every day. She's part of my life now. Besides, if I can't have the man I love, can't I at least have his child?" Dorothy said, tearing up.
Susan's eyes widened in disbelief.
She grabbed Dorothy's shoulders and asked, "Dorothy, what did you just say? The baby is Henry's, isn't it?"
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