Dora, you’re pregnant.
What do you do when the one person you trusted most could hold the key to your future or your ruin? For Dora, that person was Dr. Sarah. She had been Dora’s gynecologist for years, the one who had guided her through the most vulnerable moments of her life. It was Dr. Sarah who had been there during the abortion that left Dora emotionally scarred but resolute in her decision. Now, as Dora sat in the quiet clinic, the faint smell of antiseptic filling the air, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this visit would change everything.
The room felt colder than usual, the sterile walls closing in on her. Sienna, her best friend and unwavering pillar of support, stood beside her, offering silent reassurance. But even Sienna’s presence couldn’t calm the storm brewing inside Dora. She had been feeling off for weeks, exhausted, nauseous, and emotionally drained. She had told herself it was just stress, but deep down, a nagging voice whispered that it was something more.
When Dr. Sarah walked in, her warm smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. Dora noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor, the way her gaze lingered on the file in her hands a moment too long. “How have you been, Dora?” Dr. Sarah asked, her tone gentle but probing.
Dora hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve been… okay. Just feeling a bit off lately. Tired, nauseous, I thought it might be stress.”
Dr. Sarah nodded, her expression thoughtful, but Dora could see the concern etched in the lines of her face. The room seemed to close in around her as Dr. Sarah prepared for the examination. Dora’s heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the unspoken fear that had been gnawing at her for weeks. She didn’t know what Dr. Sarah would find, but she knew one thing for certain: whatever the news was, it would change her life forever.
Dr. Sarah nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Let’s take a look and see what’s going on.”
As the ultrasound began, Dora’s heart raced. She stared at the screen, trying to decipher the grainy images. The room was silent except for the rhythmic beeping of the machine. Dr. Sarah’s face remained calm, but Dora noticed the slight furrow in her brow. Finally, the doctor turned to her, her tone gentle but firm.
“Dora, you’re pregnant.”
The words hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. Dora felt like the ground had been ripped out from under her. Pregnant? How? It had only been one night, a night she had tried so hard to forget. A night that had left her feeling broken and betrayed. Her mind raced, and she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She barely registered Sienna's hand on her shoulder, grounding her.
“Are… are you sure, Dr. Sarah?” Dora stammered, her voice trembling.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Dr. Sarah replied gently. “I can see you’re surprised. After your abortion last time, it’s good that you took time before this pregnancy. Your body needed to heal.”
Dora’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She hadn’t planned for this. She hadn’t even considered the possibility. Dr. Sarah continued, her tone kind but firm. “It’s the perfect time for you to plan your pregnancy. Frequent abortions or miscarriages can complicate your uterus health. You need to be careful.”
Her words were clear. If Dora chose to have another abortion, it could affect her ability to have children in the future. The weight of the decision pressed down on her shoulders. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of emotions, fear, confusion, and a strange, unexpected flicker of hope.
Sienna, ever the practical one, stepped in. “Thank you, doctor. Is there anything Dora should be careful about?”
Dr. Sarah nodded. “The scan shows her placenta is low-lying. I would suggest avoiding intercourse until the next scan, when we can check its new position. Make sure she takes her supplements diligently, and most importantly, no stress.”
No stress. The words echoed in Dora’s mind as she and Sienna left the doctor’s office. How could she not feel stressed? Her life was a mess. She slumped into a chair in the waiting room, her mind spinning. Pregnant. The word felt foreign, yet it carried a weight she couldn’t ignore.
Memories of Austin flooded her mind. His harsh words from their last encounter echoed in her ears. “A woman like you can whore around with any man. How many men do you need? Aren’t you satisfied with him? I can satisfy you.” She had lashed out at him, telling him he had taken everything from her. But now, she realized there was one thing he could still take—her child.
Tears welled up in her eyes as the thought took hold. She turned to Sienna, her voice trembling. “I don’t want to lose my child again.”
Sienna wrapped an arm around her, trying to comfort her. “Silly, nobody will take your child away from you.”
But Dora wasn’t convinced. “He will, Sienna. Austin will take my child away. What should I do? I don’t want him to hurt my baby. I’ll run away, far away from him.”
Sienna sighed, knowing the situation was more complicated than Dora realized. Austin had legal leverage over her. If Dora tried to run, he could use it against her, claiming she was unfit or unstable. He could even manipulate the facts to gain full custody of the child. Sienna knew they had to be careful.
“Relax, we’ll figure something out,” Sienna said, trying to sound reassuring. “We still have time. He won’t know unless your bump becomes visible. Let’s talk to Douglas, okay? He’ll know what to do.”
Dora nodded, though her heart was heavy. She felt trapped, caught between her fear of Austin and her desire to protect her unborn child. She wiped her tears and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She had to be strong—for her baby.
Meanwhile, Austin was grappling with his own turmoil. He had woken up that morning feeling like a wreck. His head throbbed, and his heart ached with a pain he couldn’t shake. The reality of everything that had happened the previous day was sinking in, and it was overwhelming. He had been an idiot, a selfish fool who had pushed Dora away. But now, he was determined to make things right.
He freshened up and headed straight to the hospital to check on his mother, Ruby, who was in a coma. His father, Noah, was there, looking exhausted and worn out. Austin’s heart ached for him. He knew his father was struggling, but he was too proud to show it.
“Dad, you need to rest,” Austin said, handing him a glass of water. “You’ve been through a lot.”
Noah shook his head. “Your mother stood by me through every up and down. Now it’s my turn to stand by her.”
Austin admired his father’s strength, but he also felt a pang of guilt. He hadn’t been honest with him about what had really happened to Ruby. He couldn’t bring himself to tell his father the truth, that Ruby had been behind all the chaos in their lives. It was a burden he had to carry alone.
As he sat by his mother’s bedside, holding her cold hand, he whispered, “I forgive you.” It was a small step, but it was a start. He knew he had a long road ahead if he wanted to fix the mess he had created. And the first step was winning back Dora’s trust.
But would she ever forgive him? Did she still love him? The questions haunted him as he left the hospital, his mind racing with plans and regrets. He didn’t know how to fix things, but he was determined to try. For Dora. For their future. And maybe, just maybe, for the child he didn’t yet know was growing inside her.
The days that followed were a blur for Dora. She tried to focus on work, but her mind kept drifting back to the baby. She found herself absentmindedly touching her stomach, as if to reassure herself that the tiny life inside her was real. She hadn’t told anyone except Sienna, and she wasn’t sure when or if she would tell Austin. The thought of facing him filled her with dread, but she knew she couldn’t avoid him forever.
One evening, as she sat alone in her apartment, she felt a wave of nausea. She rushed to the bathroom, clutching the sink as she fought the urge to vomit. When it passed, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were tired, her face pale. She placed a hand on her stomach and whispered, “I’ll protect you. No matter what.”
Austin, on the other hand, was determined to make amends. He started by visiting Dora’s favorite café every day, hoping to run into her. He didn’t know what he would say, but he knew he had to try. One afternoon, his patience paid off. Dora walked in, her face lighting up when she saw the barista hand her her usual order. Austin’s heart skipped a beat. She looked beautiful, but there was a sadness in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.
He approached her cautiously, not wanting to scare her off. “Dora,” he said softly.
She turned, her eyes widening in surprise. “Austin. What are you doing here?”
“I… I wanted to see you,” he admitted. “I know I’ve messed up, but I want to make things right. Please, just give me a chance.”
Dora’s heart ached at the sincerity in his voice. She wanted to believe him, but the fear of what he might do if he found out about the baby held her back. She took a deep breath and said, “I need time, Austin. I can’t just forget everything that’s happened.”
He nodded, his expression filled with regret. “I understand. Take all the time you need. I’ll be here, waiting.”
As she walked away, Dora felt a tear slip down her cheek. She didn’t know what the future held, but she knew one thing for sure, she would do whatever it took to protect her child. Even if it meant keeping Austin at arm’s length.
The stage was set for a battle, one of love, forgiveness, and second chances. But in a world filled with secrets and pain, would they find their way back to each other? Or would the weight of their past tear them apart forever? Only time would tell.
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