Page 77 of Shattered Echoes

But Dr. Nia's pointed gaze tells me otherwise. "Um... it's been a while," I admit, a knot forming in my stomach. “But stress can cause that as well, right?”

She doesn’t answer and hands me a pregnancy test with brisk efficiency, directing me to the restroom. I numbly comply, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

Oh, please not now.

In the restroom's solitude, I wait anxiously waited for the test results. My heart is pounding in my chest. When I emerge, the small plastic stick clutched in my hand, and I feel as though the ground has been pulled out from beneath me.

"It's positive," I whisper, my voice audible even to myself against the pounding of my heart.

Henry's eyes widen in disbelief as he stares at the test in my hand. "What does that mean?" he asks, his voice in shock and disbelief.

I shake my head, unable to meet his gaze. "I don't know," I admit, my voice still above a whisper.

Dr. Nia looks between us, her expression unreadable. "Congratulations," she says with forced cheerfulness, though her eyes show a hint of concern.

But Henry isn't celebrating. "Wait, a second. No. What does that mean?" he demands, his voice rising in panic.

Dr. Nia looks between us, confusion turning into realization. "Is this not good news?"

I press a hand to my belly, feeling the weight of the revelation settle over me. "It's my baby, Antonio's and mine," I murmur.

Our baby.

Henry's face pales, his shock giving way to disbelief. "This is bad," he mutters, his voice filled with panic. "This is crazy. Do you not realize this is not a situation to bring a child into?"

“This is not the time to talk about that,” I tell him.

Dr. Nia, sensing the discomfort, coughs and hands me some pamphlets on pregnancy care and childbirth. "It seems you both have a lot to discuss."

Leaving the doctor's office, Henry's words echo in my mind, reverberating with a weight I can comprehend.

Pregnant.

The word lingers in the air like an unspoken promise, filling me with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Clutching my belly, I can't help but feel a surge of protectiveness, a fierce determination to shield this tiny life growing within me.

Returning to the ward where Antonio lies, Gabi's concerned voice breaks through my reverie as we reenter the room. "What happened? Is she alright?" she asks, her eyes wide with worry.

"Colette's pregnant," Henry announces, his voice tinged with disbelief. The words hang in the air, the room falling silent as the implications sink in. Gabi's expression shifts from concern to shock, her eyes darting between us in disbelief.

Leo's reaction is immediate, his shock and anger obvious as he confronts Henry with a barrage of questions. “How does this look like the situation to bring a baby into?” His words slice through the uncertainty clouding my mind. I shrink under his gaze, feeling the weight of his accusations like a leaden weight upon my shoulders.

There’s your Uncle Leo, baby.

"Hold on, Leo," Henry interjects, his voice firm but strained. "Let's not jump to conclusions here." Gabi's attempts to intervene only seem to escalate the conflict, adding fuel to the already raging fire.

"I can't believe this," Leo continues, his voice rising with each word. "How could you let this happen, Colette? Did you not use protection? Are you insane?"

"Leo, please," Henry pleads with frustration. "We need to handle this calmly." But Leo's anger shows no sign of abating, his words lashing out like a whip.

Gabi steps in, her voice gentle but firm as she attempts to diffuse the escalating emotions coming from her husband. "Leo, calm down," she urges, her hands gently restraining him. But Leo's agitation refuses to be quelled."No, this is ridiculous!" Leo retorts. His accusatory gaze shifts between Henry and me, his expression a mix of disbelief and outrage.

Henry interjects, his voice tinged with exasperation. "Leo, you really need to stop talking to my sister like that," he admonishes, his words a stark reminder of the strain that has been building between them. "You've been taking a lot of things out on Colette lately."

Yes, and I am exhausted. Antonio is safe. Give me a break.

Henry's admission only serves to fuel Leo's anger, his accusations ringing out like a battle cry. "How can you say that?" Leo demands. "This is not the time for a baby. What were you thinking?"

Though Henry acknowledges the gravity of the situation, his resolve remains unshaken. "Yes, it's not a good time for a baby," he concedes. "But regardless, she is pregnant and stressed out."

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