Dawn POV
“Stop eating that too much,” Mia took the plate of chicken away from me, earning a loud disgruntled noise from me. “You hate that, don’t you remember?”
I rolled my eyes. I hated that, but not now.
“Not now!” I growled, drawing it closer to me again.
After meeting with Ethan yesterday, my appetite has drastically increased.
Of course, it’d be bad if I stop eating after Ethan has expressed how happy he was about my pregnancy.
My happiness knows no bounds. I could not be more than happy.
“You’re not telling me what you both talked about,” Mia said again
I grinned, lapping a chicken lap into my mouth.
“We make out.”
“Not what you did, bitch!” Mia groaned and I chuckled.
I slowly let my hand wander down to my stomach, gliding my palm over it.
I can still clearly remember the glint in his eyes, the glow, and the warmth that spread through them after hearing that I am pregnant.
Right! I feel so bad for even thinking about him denying it.
He’s accepted it and he’s damn happy about it.
He wants me to keep it and he’s going to do anything to have me by his side.
That, I don’t know how we’d go about that.
I heaved a short sigh, my gaze falling.
The thought of what Dad could do after finding out about this made my stomach reel in fear.
It’s unimaginable, and I’m not sure I even want to imagine it.
“C’mon,” Mia tugged my arms lightly, turning me to herself. She held up my face and cupped my cheeks. “Is anything the matter.?”
“I don’t know what to do?”
“What? He wants you to ab… ”
“No!” I cut in. “About my Dad.”
Not only me knows what he’s going to do. I feel so sure that Mia also has a bleak idea.
Ethan has brought up the idea of coming clean to Dad. He wants me to tell him everything, but I know my dad more than anyone else. Once he set his mind to something, until he’s done, he’s never giving up.
“I’m thinking of telling Mom,” I mumbled. “Perhaps, she can help me talk Dad out of his madness.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Have any better ideas?”
Mia sighed. She slapped her temple lightly and inhaled sharply.
I’m glad to have someone like Mia who shares my worries and takes care of them as though it’s hers.
Oh, God! What can I do without her?
I shifted close to her, placing my hand on her lap.
“It’s going to be well,” I mumbled.
Mia chuckled. She flicked my forehead and I groaned.
“That’s my line.”
I rolled my eyes.
Yeah! She’s to be comforting me, but why do I feel like she needs that word more than I do?
“Go on, have the lemonade.” She passed me the syrup which I gulped down in an instant.
My baby is eating so much that I’m afraid I’m gonna get fat.
I let out a scream of terror when the door barge opened.
For a split second, I had thought that Dad had been listening to all our conversation and he barged in with his face purple with anger until my eyes settled on Mom.
Right! It’s one thing that it’s not Dad who’s just walked in on us, but mom looking crestfallen was another thing.
Perhaps.. no! She couldn’t have heard anything, could she?
“Hi… Mrs. Shaw.” Mia greeted nervously, rubbing her palm all over her bare arm.
Goosebumps crawled over all my skin. I’ve not seen mom looking so angry and at the same time panicky.
She fixed her eyes on me, staring intensely that I’m afraid she can see through me.
Her gaze lingered on me for a fraction of seconds before she tore it off and settled it on Mia
“Hey, hi Mia.” She finally returned her greetings. But that’s not the warmth that’s always in her eyes. No! She doesn’t always have that fake smile on her lips when she’s talking to Mia.
“Oh, I see. You’re eating quite well.” Her gaze flicked to the dish before me.
I gulped nervously, pushing the dish away from me.
Everyone knows how much I hate chicken or lemonade, but here I am, chewing it as though my life depends on it, and worst still, before my Mom.
Mom settled down on the chair, picking nervously on her fingers. Her lips quivered slightly and I could make out the little mist that lay on her eyes.
“I heard everything.” She finally mumbled. Her voice shook, but I cannot tell if it was from fear or if she was about to break down in tears. “Everything, Dawn.”
I know. And judging by the look in her eyes, it’s never going to end well.
“You’re pregnant? And for Ethan?”
“Mom, listen.”
“You listen!” She snarled.
Mom has never shouted at me, but if anything, she’s looking madder than when she’s just got in. “Your wedding is a month away.”
“We both know that I’m being forced into this damn marriage!” I growled. Now it’s my time to be mad.
What do they think I am? A three years old kid? Or someone who’s not old enough to decide for herself?
Why can’t they just let me live my life? No! Why do I have to be forced into this shitty marriage?
“You’ve been selling yourself cheap for that asshole!” She barked.
“And you wanted to sell me at the cheapest price for that asshole too.” I scoffed. “How are we different, mom?”
Mia seized my hand, shaking her head, giving me a ‘ don’t do that ‘ look.
Hey! I’m done staying silent. I won’t have them decide for me.
Not again!
“I see you got bolder, Dawn.” Mom curved her lips in a lopsided smirk, her eyes glinting with fury and her nose flared up irritatedly. “But you’re not keeping that bastard.”
Consciously, my arms went over my stomach, clamming them over them.
I shook my head. No! Not my baby.
“No!” I sniffed. “I’m going to keep my baby.”
“Your baby?” She growled. “You know how your dad can be, don’t you?”
“I do not give a shitty damn!” I spat. “I’m going to keep it.”
“No, you’re not.” She said, “Do not say any word of it to your Dad. I’m going to find a day when he’s not home and fix this mistake you made.”
“My. Baby. Is. Not. A. Mistake!” I gritted out, punctuating every one of my words.
How could she? Abort the baby? My mistake?
This is beyond my expectations. No! I did not expect this from someone I called my mother.
“She’s not gonna abort the baby!”
Henry’s voice flew across the room and a second later, he wrenched the door open and stepped in, bolting the door behind him.
“Henry?” I gasped.
Henry gave a grin that turned to a grimace as he turned to Mom.
“No. I mean, mom, how could you tell her to abort the pregnancy?”
“Because…”
“No, Mom.” Henry cut in. He edged closer to me. “Why must we make the same mistake you made years ago, Mom?”
“Henry!”
“C’mon,” he chuckled. “Don’t we deserve just a little thank you from you after you made that man our Dad? He’s a beast, you know that too, don’t you? ”
“Henry! He’s your father!”
“That, still happens to be my reality that won’t stop haunting me” he sighed. “Why can’t she just marry someone she loves? Huh? Must she follow your steps and end up the same as you? ”
“Henry” I tugged Henry’s arms but he jerked them away from me.
That’s the worst memory to relieve. No! We all know mom is not happy being here, but she’s sacrificing her happiness for her family.
Times without numbers have I seen my mom crying her eyes out, getting yelled at by Dad, and almost beating to pulp some years back.
It’s bad, ill luck and stupid.
“Ethan is as good as a Miller, mom.” Henry said quietly. “and he loves Dawn. Is that not what matters?”
My tears rolled down my eyes, and no matter how I tried to stop them from falling, I failed.
Henry standing up for me and against mom… I do not want this to happen, but it’s definitely what I need right now.
Someone on your side. Someone who shares my thoughts and my pain.
“Marrying because of love is a luxury for people like us.” Mom said in a would-be casual sort of voice.
“No. You make it luxurious for yourself!” Henry let out a hollow sort of laugh.” It’s not luxury, you made it that way. And if it is, ” he paused to take in a deep breath. “we’re ready to be extravagant. Oh no, please, mom. I’m done hiding behind your shadow. I’m done living a life that’s not even mine!”
Mom passed her tongue over her lower lip. She blinked rapidly, and I must say she sure is strong for keeping her calm and stopping herself from crying.
“So please, Mom. Stop living Dad’s life. Stop making every damn thing difficult for us and yourself. You’re not his slave, but his wife!” Henry breathed out.
I wiped my tears, sniffing loudly as I stared at mom who look indifferent.
“Mom,” I called. “Can’t you do this one for me?”
I was hoping I’d get the answer I want… I wish, hope, and pray.
“No,” she chuckled dryly. “You’re not keeping that thing.”