Con artist

A path chosen for him

The weight of everything was bearing down on Elijah like an anvil. Between Natasha's confession and his father's disapproval, Elijah found himself caught in a whirlwind of emotions. He loved Natasha deeply, but everything about their future now seemed uncertain. His faith, his family, his unborn child—it all felt like it was crashing into each other, leaving him standing in the rubble.Unable to sleep, Elijah finally made the decision to visit his parents. Maybe they could offer him some sort of clarity or direction. He wasn't expecting approval—his father had made it very clear what he thought of Natasha—but perhaps they could help him figure out what to do next.When Elijah walked through the front door of his childhood home, the familiar scent of his mother's cooking hit him. There was something comforting about the house, a place where things always seemed simple. A place where right and wrong were as clear as black and white.Grace was the first to greet him. "Elijah, honey, what are you doing here this late?" Her eyes softened at the sight of her son. She could tell just by looking at him that something was wrong."I need to talk," Elijah said, sitting down at the kitchen table. His voice was thick with emotion.Grace sat beside him, reaching out to hold his hand. "It's about Natasha, isn't it?"Elijah nodded. "Yeah. I'm so confused, Mom. She told me she doesn't believe in God. She... she grew up in an orphanage, and it messed her up. I don't know what to do."Pastor David appeared in the doorway, his arms crossed, clearly listening. "I told you, son. That girl isn't right for you. She's already pulled you away from your faith, and now this..."Elijah ran a hand through his hair. "Dad, it's not that simple. I love her. We're having a child together."Pastor David's face darkened. "A child doesn't change the fact that you're unequally yoked. You're setting yourself up for a lifetime of struggle, Elijah. You need to think about your future."Elijah's fists clenched. "I am thinking about it. But breaking up with her... it feels wrong. I can't just leave her now."Grace squeezed his hand gently, her expression kind but worried. "We understand that you feel conflicted, Elijah. But your father and I have been talking... and we've found someone we think might be better for you. Someone who shares your beliefs."Elijah blinked, his confusion deepening. "What are you talking about?"Pastor David stepped forward, his voice firm. "There's a girl at church, Hannah. She's been involved in the ministry for years. She comes from a strong Christian family, and she has always admired you. We've spoken to her parents, and... well, we think you should give her a chance.""Hannah?" Elijah repeated, his mind spinning. He knew her, of course. Hannah Richards was a sweet girl, always present at church events, volunteering, leading Bible studies. But they had never spoken beyond the usual pleasantries. He'd never imagined his parents would set him up with her."She's a lovely girl," Grace added softly. "She cares for you deeply, Elijah. And... well, she's been struggling with her feelings, too. She even came to us a few weeks ago and confided in us that she loves you."Elijah sat there in stunned silence. "She... loves me? We barely know each other."Pastor David nodded. "That's why we think you should spend more time with her. Get to know her. She's the kind of woman who can help you build a future grounded in faith. A future that aligns with God's plan for you."Grace hesitated before speaking again, her voice even softer. "There's something else, Elijah. Hannah told us she's pregnant."Elijah felt like the room was spinning. "Pregnant?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.Grace nodded, her eyes full of sympathy. "She... she said it's your child, Elijah. She said that you spent time together a few months ago, and that it happened then."Elijah stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "That's not possible. I've never... I've never been with Hannah like that."Pastor David's expression darkened. "Are you calling her a liar? Hannah is a good girl. She wouldn't say something like that unless she was sure."Elijah shook his head, his heart pounding in his chest. "No, Dad, I swear. I don't know where this is coming from, but I've never been with her."Grace bit her lip, clearly torn. "Maybe she's confused, Elijah. Maybe it was an emotional moment for her. But she's carrying a child, and she believes it's yours. She needs support."Elijah's mind was racing. None of this made sense. He had never been intimate with Hannah—he had never even thought of her in that way. But now, his parents were asking him to spend time with her, to get to know her, and possibly raise a child with her."What am I supposed to do?" he asked, his voice cracking. "I love Natasha. We're having a baby."Pastor David's face was stern. "What you're supposed to do is consider what's best for your soul, Elijah. I know you care about Natasha, but this situation with Hannah... it's complicated. You owe it to both women, and to both children, to figure out what the right path is."---Over the next few weeks, Elijah found himself trapped between two worlds. His father insisted that he spend time with Hannah, to get to know her better, to see if there was any truth to what she had said. His mother encouraged him to pray for guidance, to trust that God would show him the right way forward.Hannah, for her part, played the role of the perfect church girl. She was kind and sweet, always smiling, always ready to listen to Elijah's problems. She never pushed him, never pressured him—she just let him exist in her orbit, quietly suggesting that they could build a beautiful life together if he only gave her a chance.But as much as she tried, Elijah couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He couldn't imagine how he could have gotten her pregnant when they had never been together in that way. Yet his parents insisted on the idea, repeating the same story over and over until Elijah started to doubt his own memory.---One evening, after a long day spent with Hannah, Elijah sat in his car outside Natasha's apartment, staring up at the window. He hadn't told her about Hannah's pregnancy yet, hadn't told her that his parents were pushing him to leave her. He didn't know how to. How could he explain that his entire life was being orchestrated by other people, that he was being pulled in so many directions, he didn't even know which way was up anymore?His phone buzzed with a text from his mother."Hannah's parents are hosting a dinner next weekend. We think it would be a good idea for you to attend. Spend more time with her. Get to know her family."Elijah closed his eyes, the weight of his parents' expectations suffocating him. He knew that if he didn't act soon, they would keep pushing until he had no choice but to marry Hannah, raise a child that wasn't his, and abandon the woman he truly loved.But Natasha wasn't just any woman. She was the mother of his child. And despite everything, despite their differences, he couldn't imagine a life without her. Yet now, the seeds of doubt his parents had planted were starting to take root. Could he be with someone who didn't share his faith? Could they really build a life together when they were so different?Elijah looked back at the apartment window, his heart aching. He was losing Natasha, and he didn't know how to stop it.