His name was Nathaniel

101

The sun had barely begun to rise when Adaliya found herself sitting on the cold bathroom tiles, staring at the small plastic stick in her trembling hands. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, drowning out everything else as she willed the test to say something—anything—different.

Two lines.

Positive.

Her breath hitched as the reality of it settled in.

No.

No, this couldn't be happening.

She was on birth control. This wasn't supposed to happen.

Her hands clenched around the test as a wave of panic crashed over her, making her chest tighten painfully. She gasped for air, struggling to calm herself, but it was useless. Her body felt too light, her vision swam, and before she knew it, she had sunk to the floor, curling into herself as quiet, desperate sobs wracked through her body.

This wasn't how things were supposed to be.

She wasn't ready to be a mother. She hadn't even figured out her own life yet.

Her body shook as the panic set in deeper, an overwhelming sense of helplessness gripping her entire being. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ground herself, but it felt like she was spiraling.

She didn't know how long she sat there, lost in her breakdown, but at some point, a sleepy voice called out from the doorway.

"Adaliya?"

She barely registered Violet standing there, rubbing her eyes as she adjusted to the dim bathroom light. But then Violet's gaze dropped to the floor—to the plastic test lying beside her—and all sleepiness vanished from her expression.

"Oh."

Adaliya couldn't look at her. Her chest still rose and fell erratically, her hands gripping her arms like she was trying to hold herself together.

Violet stepped forward cautiously before dropping to her knees beside her. Without a word, she pulled Adaliya into a tight embrace, one hand stroking the back of her head.

"I'm not ready," Adaliya choked out, her voice barely above a whisper. "I—Violet, I can't—"

"Shhh," Violet murmured, rocking her slightly. "Breathe, Adaliya. Just breathe."

Adaliya clung to her, tears soaking into her friend's shoulder as her body continued trembling.

"It's impossible," she whispered. "I was careful. I was on birth control."

"I know, I know," Violet said softly, holding her as if she'd break apart otherwise.

For a while, they just stayed like that, Violet anchoring her, reminding her she wasn't alone.

Then, gently, Violet pulled back, brushing damp curls from Adaliya's face. "We need to get you to a doctor," she said, her voice firm yet soft. "Just to be sure."

Adaliya swallowed hard but nodded.

Violet helped her get ready, taking extra care to make sure she wasn't rushing anything. Once Adaliya had composed herself as best she could, they stepped out of the flat—only to freeze at the sight of someone about to ring the doorbell.

Nathaniel.

His suit was slightly wrinkled, his hair messier than usual, and the sharpness in his eyes suggested he hadn't slept at all. He turned the second the door opened, his gaze locking onto Adaliya.

"Finally," he exhaled. "Do you have any idea how—" He stopped, eyes flickering between the two of them. His brow furrowed. "What's going on?"

Adaliya tensed. She turned to Violet, giving her a look that was as clear as day: Don't say a word.