Chapter 153
For two days, Mia avoided everyone. She stayed locked in her room, curtains drawn, barely touching food. Every time someone knocked, she pretended to be asleep.
The world outside didn’t exist for her right now. All she could do was cry.
The tears wouldn’t stop. Her heart ached so much it felt like something was physically pressing on her chest. She cried until she couldn’t anymore.
She went over everything, again and again in her head.
She thought about him, about how he would have reacted if things were different, if they were still together.
Would he have wanted her to keep it or get rid of it?
Would he have been panicking or happy?
Guess she would never know…
It’s all good. Alex is where he was supposed to be, with Zoe, and well she is where she is not supposed to be…
Pregnant…
A life she didn’t plan for, didn’t ask for, but now had to make the biggest decision of her life about.
After all the endless crying, after all the questions with no answers, she made up her mind.
She sat on her bed that morning, still in her oversized hoodie, legs folded up to her chest.
She couldn’t just get rid of her baby. No matter how scared she was. No matter how alone she felt. It was her child. A part of her. A part of Alex, too, yes, but more than that-it was hers.
It wouldn’t be easy. In fact, she knew it would be the hardest thing she would ever do. She was barely holding herself together as it was.
She had been researching all day yesterday. Quietly. On her phone, under the covers.
Her school had programs for pregnant students. Special dorms, some academic support, even childcare help in certain situations. She didn’t know the full details yet, but there was a path, somewhere, to keep the baby and continue school.
And if it ever got too much, she would pause. Take a break. Get a job. Come back when she could. She would find a way.
Because she couldn’t get rid of her baby. Just like that? She just couldn’t.
That evening she was ready to move on from this. She washed her face, trying to make herself look like she has not been crying for two days straight. It didn’t work. Her eyes were still puffy. Her skin looked dull. But she was done hiding from everything.
It was time.
She walked into the kitchen, where her mom was washing some vegetables. The moment her mom saw her, she stopped what she was doing.
“Mia?” she asked gently.
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Mia didn’t say anything at first. She just walked over and hugged her mom. Tight.
Something she can’t remember ever doing. It was awkward but she needed this hug.
Her mom, surprised at first, quickly recovers from her shock. She wipes her hands and holds her close. “Are you okay?”
Mia pulled back, looking her in the eyes. “I’ve made my decision.”
Her mom’s eyes searched hers. “Okay.”
“I’m keeping the baby.”
There was a small pause. Then her mom nodded, almost like she already knew. “Okay.”
“I want to tell them. I thought about keeping it to myself and leaving for school but I thought against it. I think they should know too.”
Her mom gave her hand a soft squeeze. “okay.”
So that evening, her mom gathered the family in the living room.
Mia stood at the side, her heart racing in her chest. This was harder than she expected.
Lily stretched out lazily on the couch, propping a pillow under her arm. “Are you dying or something?” she asked casually, not even looking up.
Mia’s chest tightened. She could feel everyone’s eyes turning toward her.
“Mia?” Ethan’s voice was softer, concerned. “What’s wrong?”
Her throat felt dry. She looked at her mother, who gave her a small nod. That was all the push she needed.
She took in a shaky breath. “I’m pregnant.”
The room went completely silent.
Ethan froze, his phone slipping slightly from his hand. Lily blinked like she hadn’t heard right. Ann looked up sharply, mouth slightly open.
Mia kept her eyes on them, watching as the news registered in their brains. It wasn’t laughter that came first, like she’d expected from Lily. No jokes. No mocking comments. Just wide eyes. Stunned silence.
They looked confused. Lost for words.
And Mia understood. Completely.
They weren’t expecting this. Neither was she.
“You’re pregnant? Is this a joke?” Ann’s voice cut through the silence, her wide eyes scanning Mia’s face like she was waiting for the part where she screams it’s a prank.
Mia didn’t answer right away. She just stood there, stiff and unsure, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
Ann’s
eyes shifted to their mother, who stood still, expression calm, even neutral. “Mom, you know about this?”
“Yes,” their mom said simply,’ with a small nod.
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Chapter 153
Ann blinked. “Seriously? You knew and you’re just… fine?”
“I didn’t even know you started having sex, damn,” she said, not trying to filter her words. That wasn’t what Mia had expected to be her first comment.
She ignores her comment.
Mia’s heart was still pounding. She looked over at Ethan.
“Mia?” he asked gently, like he was still hoping this was all a joke. “Are you really…?”
She nodded.
“Oh God,” Ethan whispered, sitting back on the armrest like someone had pulled the rug out from under him. He looked stunned.
“Well,” Lily said with a dramatic breath. “Certainly wasn’t expecting it from the Virgin Mary of our sister. Kudos for taking on the cross before us.” She gave a humorless chuckle.
“I mean, you would’ve had two by now if you didn’t abort them,” Ann muttered, not even looking at Lily.
Lily sat up slowly, arching a brow. “Don’t throw the stones just yet, Ann. You did worse.”
“What the hell?” Ann gasped, turning sharply to their mother. “Mom, you told her?” She looked betrayed, angry, and exposed all at once.
Their mom didn’t say anything. She just looked away.
Ethan looked from one sister to the other, his expression darkening. “I know you were all horrible in Willowcrest,” he said, his voice low, disgusted. “But really?”
Mia stood there, silent, soaking it all in. She wasn’t shocked her sisters had kept those kinds of secrets from her.
Lily’s voice broke through again. “I’m guessing this is for the Blackwell heir?”
Mia didn’t answer right away. Her mouth was dry. She could feel every set of eyes locked on her, waiting. So, she gave the smallest nod.
“Well, damn,” Lily exhaled. “I’d love to say we’re rich now or something, but Charles Blackwell will probably kill us all in our sleep if he finds out.”
Ann scoffed, arms crossed tightly over her chest. “I’m sure you’re getting rid of it,” she said, like she needed to believe that.
Mia looked at her.
