My first crush (COMPLETED)√

PART 2: Chapter 82: Abortion it is!

Before the Incident

Mom called.

I shouldn't have come. The house still smelled the same — expensive perfume, polished wood, and the faint coldness of a place that looked lived in but never felt warm.

"Son, you came!" Mom rushed toward me, arms open wide. She hugged me — carefully. One hand still hovered near her diamond ring, checking if it was secure on her finger. She worshipped that ring like it was sacred.

I rolled my eyes and exhaled sharply.

"Mom, please tell me you called me here for something reasonable. I could've used my time for something actually important." I dropped onto the couch, spreading my arms along the backrest.

She smiled nervously and sat beside me, cupping my face like I was still ten. "Trust me, darling. It is important. I've missed you."

"There we go again." I gently but firmly pulled her hands away. She knew that tone. She knew I was still angry.

Her shoulders dropped. "I know... I haven't been the best mother. It's work, it's responsibilities..." She paused, already calculating. "Okay. Tell me what you want. I'll make it up to you. A new car? Money? An apartment?"

There she goes again.

Trying to buy love like it's a product on display.

I used to fall for that. The shiny gifts. The compensation packages.

Not anymore.

"Mom," I leaned forward, elbows on my knees, "we're past the stage where you can bribe me."

She stiffened slightly.

"...Oh wait." A slow smirk curved on my lips. "I know what I want."

Her eyes lit up instantly. "Tell me. What do you want?"

"Just don't make it impossible," she added quickly, her voice lowering.

"I want a family dinner. With my girlfriend."

Her expression flickered.

"When you say girlfriend... you mean that girl you can't get off your mind?"

"Yes." My jaw tightened. "And you're going to convince Dad. And I don't want any embarrassing scenes, no insults, no subtle humiliation. If you ruin this..."

I paused.

"We're done. For life."

The words landed heavy between us.

She gasped softly, like the air had been knocked out of her chest.

⸻

Now

Sharon's POV

Voices.

Whispers.

The room smelled like antiseptic and faint perfume.

When I opened my eyes, everyone was staring at me.

Why are they looking at me like that?

Did I disappear for a year? Their faces looked stunned... frozen... like I'd just returned from the dead.

Then I saw him.

Stephen.

His jaw was tight. His eyes dark. He looked handsome — even in anger. Especially in anger.

Wait.

Why is he angry?

"Stephen..." My voice came out weak. "Are you alright?"