Shadows Within The Past

Chapter 6: Unexpected News

Lucas stood in the mansion's foyer, phone pressed to his ear.

"Sophia, what's going on?" Lucas asked, sensing urgency in her voice.

"Lucas, I took the test..." Sophia's pause sent his heart racing.

"What did it say?" Lucas's voice was laced with anticipation.

"It's positive," Sophia whispered.

Lucas's world froze. "You're... pregnant?"

"Yes," Sophia confirmed, her voice trembling.

Lucas's mind reeled. A child? With the family curse looming?

"Sophia, we need to talk," Lucas said, attempting to process.

"I'm scared, Lucas," Sophia admitted.

Lucas took a deep breath. "We'll face this together."

As they spoke, Alexander approached. "Lucas, what's wrong?"

Lucas covered the phone. "Sophia's pregnant."

Alexander's eyes widened.

Ethan, passing by, stopped. "What?"

Lucas nodded, still in shock.
Ethan's expression turned grim. "This changes everything."
Their father, Victor, entered the room. "What's going on?"
Ethan hesitated before speaking. "Lucas's girlfriend, Sophia, is pregnant."
Victor's gaze turned cold. "You know the family curse, Lucas. We can't afford weaknesses

Lucas expression turned resolute. "I won't abandon the child, regardless of its gender."

Victor's gaze narrowed. "Ethan, you know the curse's demands."

Ethan stood firm. "I understand, Father. But I won't condone harming an innocent child."

Lucas's eyes met Ethan's, gratitude and surprise mingling.

Alexander spoke up. "I agree with Ethan. We can't just-"

Victor's voice cut through. "You're all forgetting the family's legacy. Our power and wealth come at a price.

Lucas held up his hands, calming the tension. "Okay, fine. We'll decide later. We don't even know the gender yet."

Ethan's expression turned cold. "You're bringing a potential curse-bearer into our family, Lucas. I won't support this."

Victor's face lit up with approval. "Ethan understands the stakes."

Alexander's eyes widened in shock. "Ethan, how can you say that?"

Ethan's voice hardened. "I'm protecting our family, Alexander. You're too naive to see the danger."

Lucas felt a sting from Ethan's words. "You're my brother, Ethan. I expected more from you."

Just then, their mother, Catherine, entered the room.

"What's going on?" Catherine asked, sensing the tension.

Lucas took a deep breath. "Sophia's pregnant."

Catherine's expression transformed from calm to horrified. "No... this can't be happening."

Victor's voice turned icy. "Catherine, we must consider the curse."

Catherine's eyes locked onto Ethan. "You're right, Victor. We can't risk our family's legacy."

Alexander's face fell. "Mother, how can you agree with papa?"

Catherine's voice trembled. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect our family."

Lucas felt betrayed. "You're all against me?"

Ethan's gaze didn't waver. "We're protecting our family, Lucas. You're blinded by love."

The room plunged into darkness, the family's divisions exposed.