Against the clock

29.

George's expression shifted from anger to a reluctant acknowledgment of the medical reality. 'The results matched,' he explained, his words carrying the weight of the truth. 'She wanted me to tell you that,' George added, his gaze fixed on the ground. As George delivered the truth about the paternity test results, a heavy silence hung in the air, enveloping us in the gravity of the moment. The room seemed to close in, and I could feel the weight of the revelation settling on my shoulders.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and a knot tightened in my chest as I grappled with the magnitude of the situation. The room started to blur as my vision became clouded by the overwhelming emotions coursing through me. George's words echoed in my mind, and I felt a mixture of sadness, frustration, and a profound sense of vulnerability. Unable to contain the storm within, my breaths grew shallow, and I found myself hyperventilating. He extended a comforting hand, a silent offer of support in the face of overwhelming emotions. As his touch grounded me, the floodgates opened, and tears streamed down my cheeks.

George, recognizing the depth of my emotional turmoil, spoke in a soothing tone, 'I am sorry I reacted this way.' I leaned into his embrace, allowing the warmth of his presence to envelop me. George's arms were a sanctuary, providing solace amidst the tempest of feelings. He gently pulled away, holding me at arm's length, his hands resting on my shoulders. His gaze met mine, and the unspoken exchange conveyed more than words ever could, 'Meredith, I can't deal with a baby in this apartment,' George confessed, his voice carrying a mix of sincerity and the harsh truth.

'Wh-what?' The word stumbled out of my mouth, a shaky whisper that barely concealed the shock, anger, and vulnerability swirling within me. George took a deep breath, his eyes searching mine for understanding. 'I know this is overwhelming, Meredith. But I can't deal with a baby right now.' A mixture of disbelief and frustration churned within me. The initial shock started to morph into a profound sense of abandonment. My brows furrowed in a mix of anger and disbelief. 'You're throwing me out?' I asked, my voice shaky with the rising storm of emotions.

George hesitated, his gaze faltering for a moment before he reluctantly nodded. 'Yeah, Meredith, I'm sorry. This apartment, my life, it's not set up for a baby.' The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. Anger surged through my veins, my breaths became uneven, and my hands clenched into fists. 'I got raped, I got pregnant because of that, and you throw me out?' The words escaped my lips in a torrent, each one dripping with the bitterness of the truth. George winced at the harsh reality of my words, a palpable tension settling between us. 'I am not throwing you out right now, but I just can't deal with a baby in the future. I'll give you time to look for a new place,' he admitted, his voice laden with a mix of sympathy and firmness.

My eyes, red and swollen from tears, locked onto his. The room, once a haven, felt like a cage closing in. 'So, I'm just supposed to pack up and leave?' I asked, my voice a fragile whisper. George didn't reply, the silence echoing the distance that had grown between us. The weight of his decision pressed on me, and in a moment of desperation, I pleaded, 'I thought we were friends!' The words hung in the air, a painful reminder of the bonds that were breaking.

Feeling lost and betrayed, I stormed out of George's apartment into the pouring rain. The wet streets blurred beneath my tears as I tried to make sense of the upheaval in my life. The raindrops clung to my face, mixing with the saltiness of my tears, creating a bitter taste in my mouth. Lost in my own despair, I failed to notice the approaching bike until it collided with me. The impact sent shockwaves of pain through my body as I crashed to the wet pavement. The bike skidded to a stop, and in the haze of pain, a familiar voice called out, 'Meredith, are you okay?' It was Alex, who literally just ran me over. Disoriented and hurting, I looked up to see him, raindrops clinging to his disheveled hair. Guilt and concern etched across his face as he helped me up from the ground. Wincing from the pain, I muttered, 'Alex? What the hell?'