“What did you say? I cheated on you,” Madeline already got herself off the seat and looked at Kane in shock. “How could you even say that? Am thirteen weeks pregnant for God's sakes and I know I messed up but that doesn't give you the right to question my love and loyalty to you Kane.” Madeline was already sobbing.
“I don't know what to think at this point Madeline. Do you...do you have any idea of what a baby is Madeline? A baby. It's not a toy Madeline. How could you be so careless.” Kane already shooked his head multiple times and somehow Madeline saw this as all her fault.
“I messed up....”
“You fucking messed up Madeline! You are not always this careless and absent-minded. What went wrong. We were building our future together Madeline. This..this...” Kane eyed her belly with contempt and rage. “This thing can ruin our future plans. We don't have the means to raise a baby. My mom learnt from her mistake by having me at an early age and guess what my dad blamed her for ruining his life and you know everything about me Madeline so why?...” Kane held her hands and seemed to be reminiscing his life as a kid. The fights and the arguments all because of him being born.
“Forgive me Kane. Even I know how much this pregnancy can affect my plans. It's not just yours Kane but mainly mine. I just got accepted into PVH Corp as an intern. I can't walk around the halls carrying a big belly. If my internship is cancelled then my career is over Kane. You're feeling bad but think about how I must feel.” Madeline wrapped her arms around his neck to touch his warmth through this tight embrace. Kane was out of words and hugged Madeline.
“You know we both aren't ready for this Madeline.” He whispered with his jaw above her hair. “Beatrice told me to think about my decisions before making a final one.” And, Kane instantly pulled away to stare at her like she was missing the point here.
“What do you mean think? There's nothing to think about Madeline. You have to get rid of it.” Kane said flatly. “Am already thirteen weeks. If I choose to abort the baby then I might have serious complications of falling pregnant again. I can't take that risk knowing we both planned to have kids one day.”
“Exactly Madeline. We did plan to have kids but that time hasn't come yet. We're still in college and are barely making anything with our lives at this point. We're both pursuing our goals here and handling a baby is a huge responsibility. I should know, my mother almost gave up on me when the responsibility was taking a toll on her...”
“But she didn't in the end. It's because of her you're who you are today Kane.” Madeline added. “That's not the point am making Madeline. Let's not make the mistakes my parents made by having a kid at an early age. We're just twenty-one for Christs sakes Madeline. Plus we both weren't born with silver spoons in our mouths. We work hard to even get scholarships to attend an ivy like Columbia. And, having a baby is not the ideal thing. Think straight Madeline.” Kane already left her in the dining table.
“Won't you finish dinner?” She asked looking at his retreating back.
“I've lost my appetite.” That was all he said before he walked out of the apartment. Madeline stared at the unfinished dinner. Even she had lost her appetite. She wasn't all that surprised with Kane's reaction. She had expected this from him but not the part where he once believed she cheated on him. That broke her heart but she wiped her tears and blamed it on him being all stressed after hearing the news.
Madeline raised her head to look at the clock for the umpteenth time. It was already ten minutes past eleven and this was a first time Kane got back so late from a walk. She had deduced he wanted to clear his head by taking a walk but now she was worried. She tried his number for the seventh time but he seemed to be disconnecting her call. She didn't like this change in Kane's demeanor. It was not like him and part of what he said wasn't wrong. They both were struggling just to pay the rent for their apartment. Even her overtime hours were still not enough for a day to provide complete meals. Her dad still sent her some money from time to time but Madeline opt to being independent of her own expenses.
Kane was right in saying having this baby was not ideal. They weren't rich and still studying in university and trying to survive life in an expensive city like New York. Raising this baby meant double responsibilities. The many appointments to the doctor. The medications needed and the terrible mood swings that could affect one's mind and that's just the tip of the iceberg when the baby's not born yet. Madeline held her head with a long sigh. She didn't know what to do now. If Kane wasn't willing to support her then what was the point in having the baby. To her it made no sense.
She heard the door click and she smiled before getting up from the couch. She met Kane at the little hallway in the middle. “You came back late. Are you still upset with me?” She asked but Kane only took off his flip-flops before walking towards the bedroom. Madeline followed him but found him disappearing inside the bathroom. She heard the sound of the showers and proceeded to taking a bath with him.
She took off her clothes and stepped into the shower. Her eyes came in contact with his broad back and water droplets dripping down his bare tanned skin. She knew Kane had sensed her presence in the bathroom. The bathroom was a bit spacious and could accommodate the both of them just fine.
There was silence except the rushing of the waters from the showers. Madeline got her hands on the sponge and carefully scrubbed his back in the hopes of starting a conversation. “Am sorry I messed up.” She had already admitted the same thing to herself time and time again. And, Kane turned around to look at her closely.
“Am sorry for lashing out and calling you a...cheater. I take my words back about that.” A faint smile tugged the left side of his lips and Madeline got back to scrubbing his shaven chest. “I know I was a bit harsh earlier on but nothing I said was wrong Madeline. We aren't ready for this kind of responsibility. We promised each other to have kids once we were in our thirties and already successful. Now's not the time. Please try to see it from my perspective.”
“So you don't want this baby?” Madeline continued scrubbing his body without looking up to meet his eyes.
“Do you want this baby Madeline?” Kane asked back eyeing her intently. If she did, then their ideologies weren't in sync anymore. Their goals weren't the same anymore. “I don't know...” Madeline gave a short response and Kane grabbed her arms which forced her to now look him in the eyes.
“Think of your career Madeline. You've already been accepted as an intern into one of New York's top fashion houses. This is your dream coming true. You've been waiting patiently and working hard for this moment.” He pulled to kiss her. “I know you won't just give up on those dreams you've wanted since childhood. Remember our pact when we went on our first date?”
“I remember clearly.” Madeline replied with a smile. Kane smiled in return. “To never let anything come in the way of our success. You remember don't you?” Kane implored and Madeline nodded. “This baby is going to be a hindrance for our dreams babe. Now do you understand what am saying?”
“I don't like you using such words for this baby. It's ours. We created it.” And, Kane sighed. “Am trying here Madeline. I can't make this work with this baby inside you.” Kane was already taking his hands off of hers but Madeline held his hands tightly on hers. “What are you saying...you surely don't mean what you're saying?...” Her breathing got a little labored.
“Am saying, am not willing to sacrifice my dreams right now to sit down and have my mind think of a baby twenty-four-seven. No way. You know what you have to do.” Madeline gulped before asking. “Are you telling me to go for abortion?”
“You're making it sound like such a big deal Madeline. You're not the first girl to accidentally fall pregnant and have the baby aborted. Lots of girls do it at college, why can't you....”
“Because am not like those girls Kane! I can't just simply opt for abortion without thinking about the consequences later on.” Madeline hoped he would understand her feelings but all she got was a light chuckle from Kane. “Many girls have abortions because the baby is a block on their path to success. This isn't the first time a career oriented lady would want to terminate her pregnancy. They choose their careers over changing diapers all day. I hope you know you can't continue your studies once your belly starts to show more right? Your scholarship would be cancelled instantly Madeline so I beg you, be practical about this.”
“Kane...” And, she felt his hands slipping away from her grasp. “I said this can't work Madeline. It's either this baby or your future career. Make your choice and I'll make mine.” Kane looked at her with hope she would think practically and walked out of the bathroom leaving Madeline alone with her heart in a restless turmoil.
YOU ARE READING
His Second Chance
Romance"True love bears all, endures all and triumphs!" "Let me go! I don't want to talk to you." I hissed and tried to get my arm out of his strong hold. I knew only looking into his green emerald eyes would make things worse. It would force me to recolle...
