Shattered Dreams Due to Unforeseen Consequences

Chapter 7 unexpected consequences from birthday party

Cassandra had always harboured a deep aversion towards the oppressive heat. Yet, fate had led her to the vibrant city of Milan, Italy. As a young woman with a keen eye for fashion and an undeniable passion for stylish attire, she was in a paradoxical situation. The scorching heat that enveloped the city seemed to conspire against her, leaving her feeling disoriented and unwell. It had been precisely three weeks since their arrival in Italy, and the relentless heat had taken its toll on her delicate constitution. The sweltering temperatures had transformed her once lively spirit into a dizzy and nauseous state, leaving her yearning for respite from the unrelenting sun.

It has been just shy of a month since her birthday, a night that held a significant milestone for her - the moment she shared her first intimate experience with Shawn. In an effort to maintain a connection, she had sent him a friend request on all of his social media platforms. However, to her dismay, Shawn not only rejected her request but also went ahead and blocked her on all of them.

Cassie found herself in a rather solitary situation as her parents had recently secured positions at the prestigious Policlinico of Milan hospital. With their newfound professional commitments, they were now engrossed in their work, leaving Cassie alone all day.

She had been spending her days chatting with her other family in England and with Amanda in Canada. Amanda had told her that Shawn was now a somewhat famous musician as he had just released his first album.

Feeling the familiar sensation of nausea creeping up on her once more, Cassie slowly made her way to her bathroom. She succumbed to the inevitable with a heavy heart and vomited her breakfast into the porcelain bowl. As she lifted her gaze, her eyes fell upon an unopened box of tampons sitting innocently on the bathroom counter. A jolt of shock coursed through her, causing her to pause and contemplate the situation. At that moment, she realised, with a sinking feeling, that her last menstrual cycle had occurred before her birthday, weeks ago.

Quickly pulling on some shorts and a light top, Cassie grabbed her bag, phone, and keys. She promptly left the house they were living in in Milan and made her way to the pharmacy just a few blocks away.

After buying four different pregnancy tests, she returned home and brought up FaceTime. She quickly created a group call between Kate, Amanda, and herself.

As the other two swiftly answered the Skype call, their eyes widened in astonishment as they were greeted by the sight of Cassie, her complexion noticeably drained of colour, appearing on the other end of the video call. The pallor of her skin was so striking that it sent a shiver down their spines, leaving them momentarily speechless.

Kate was the first to speak, her voice filled with concern. "Oh my god, Cassie, you look absolutely dreadful. Are you feeling alright?" She couldn't help but notice the exhaustion etched on Cassie's face.

Cassie's eyes met Kate's, and she couldn't hold back the flood of tears any longer. "Guys," she managed to stammer through her sobs, "I... I think I might be pregnant." The weight of her words hung heavy in the air, causing both Kate and Amanda to gasp in shock and disbelief.

"Cassie, have you taken a test yet?" Amanda inquired, her voice filled with anticipation. Cassie responded with a half-smile, her eyes glimmering with a mix of nervousness and determination. She held up four boxes, each containing a pregnancy test. "Why do you think I initiated a group call?" Cassie replied, her voice tinged with a hint of playfulness. "I need your support while I take these." With those words, Cassie gently placed her phone on the table. Cassie proceeded to carefully collect a sample of her urine in a jar, her movements deliberate and focused. She then dipped all four tests into the jar, ensuring that each one was thoroughly saturated. Finally, she placed the tests on the bathroom counter, arranging them in a neat row awaiting.