Entangled Decision (Episode Two)
The next morning, I awoke to a restless and beautiful city. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, but it did little to lift the suffô-cating weight pressing on my chest. The events of the previous night replayed in my head, each moment deeper than the last. Henry Montgomery had left, but his presence roamed my hêad like a nightmare.
I sat at the kitchen table, staring at my phone. The clinic’s appointment confirmation glared back at me. My finger hovered over the cancelation option. My thoughts warred—logic battling morality, fear colliding with courage.
Suddenly, a knock at the door startled me. My heart leapt into my thr0at. Could it be Henry again?
“Debbie, it’s me!” a familiar voice called out. Richard.
Pànic surged. I hadn’t expected him back for another day. Forcing a deep breath, I plastered on a smile and opened the door.
“Richard! You’re early.” My voice crâcked slightly, but I hoped he didn’t notice.
He swept me into his arms, his warmth momentarily melting my icy dread. “I couldn’t stay away,” he murmured, kissing my temple. “I missed you too much.”
I clung to him, guilt sta-bbing at my heart. How could I keep this secret? How could I look into his kind eyes and not crumble?
As he pulled away, his smile faltered.
“Debbie, is everything okay? You seem… off.” He inquired.
I opened my mouth to respond, but the words wouldn’t come. Before I could gather myself, immediately his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening.
“It’s my dad,” he muttered, frowning. “I’ll call him back later.”
The mention of Henry made my stomach twist. “What does he want?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
Richard shrugged. “Probably something about work. You know how he is, always in control of everything.”
His words hît harder than he realized.
The day passed in a blur of forced smiles and tense silences. Richard noticed my unease,
Richard: (Concerned as he stared deeply into my eyes) Hey, Deb, you don’t look so good. You’ve been a bit off lately. Are you feeling okay?
Debbie: (Trying to look calm, giving a reassuring smile) Oh, I’m fine. Just a little tired, you know? It’s been a bit of a hectic few days, but I’ll be alright.
Richard: (Frowning, still concerned) You sure? You’ve been acting kind of strange. I was thinking maybe we should go get you checked out, just to be safe. It could be something more serious, like a bug or something.
Debbie: (Quickly, not wanting to go to the doctor) No, no, it’s not that bad. Really. I’ve just been a little stressed. It’s nothing. I promise. I feel better already.
Richard: (Reluctantly, still worried but trusting me) Well… okay, but if it gets worse, promise me you’ll go. I hate seeing you like this.
Debbie: (Nods, reassuring him) Of course, I will. But I’m fine. Just need a little rest, I think. I don’t want to waste any time at the doctor’s if there’s nothing really wrong. You know how it is.
Richard: (Sighs, but smiles weakly, still not fully convinced) Alright, if you say so. Just don’t push it too hard, okay? We’ll take it easy.
Debbie: (Relieved, smiling wider) Thanks, babe. Really, I’m fine. I just need to relax for a bit.
Richard: (Looking at her, nodding slowly, then changing the subject) Okay, well, I’m glad you’re feeling better. I’ve been thinking about our weekend plans, maybe we can do something fun to take your mind off things?
Debbie: (Smiling, eager to change the topic) That sounds perfect. Let’s plan something relaxing. I’d love that.
Richard: (Finally easing up, his concern fading) Alright. But remember, if you need anything, just let me know. You don’t have to hide it.
Debbie: (Sweetly) I know, I know. Thank you for caring so much. I’ll be fine, I swear.
Richard: (Nods, smiling but still a little concerned as he moves on) Okay, but no more hiding things from me. We’ll take it easy for now. I’m just happy you’re here with me.
Debbie: (Grateful, but thinking about the secret she’s hiding) I’m glad to be with you, too.
The conversation shifts, with Richard unaware that i have skillfully avoided a trip to the doctor that could have exposed that i was pregnânt. The tension eases, but the unspoken truth still looms between us. And I knew I had to act fast before the truth comes up… but what could that be?
That night, as he slept beside me, I stared at the ceiling, my mind spinning with what to do.
I couldn’t keep living like this, tôrn between fèar of Henry and love for Richard. I needed hêlp, someone I could trust. The one I trusted with every sêcrets.
The next morning, while Richard was in the shower, I gra-bbed my phone and dialed the only person who might understand. My best friend, Sophie.
“Debbie? What’s wrong?” she asked as soon as she picked up.
“Sophie, I’m in tr0uble,” I whispered, tears welling up.
“Where are you? I’ll come over right now.”
An hour later, Sophie sat across from me, her face pale as I recounted everything. Henry’s manîpulation, the pregnancy, and his thrêats.
“This is insane,” she said, her voice tre-mbling with angêr. “You can’t let him control you like this.”
“What choice do I have then?” I asked, desperâtion creeping in. “If I tell Richard, it’ll destrôy him. And Henry… he’s dangerôus, Sophie. He knows things, has connections.”
Sophie gra-bbed my hand. “This is simple then, Debie, you have to ab0rt this! You have to do this…. i mean, we have to do this as soon as possible.”
Her words stru-cked hard, but they didn’t erase the storm brewing inside me.
I couldn’t com-mit such an abòminal act agaînst the holy spirit, and I couldn’t let Richard know about this.
As i finally left Sophie’s apartment, I was disôriented about my entire lîfe.
I have actually expected hearing something different from Sophie.
Later that evening, as Richard and I sat down for dinner, his phone buzzed again. This time, he answered.
“Dad, I’m in the middle of something,” he said, irrîtation créeping into his tone. Then his expression shifted, confusion giving way to concern. “What? When? Alright, I’ll be there.”
He hung up and turned to me, his face pale. “Something’s happened at my dad’s office. I need to go.”
Planting a quîck warm kîss on my face, he left.
As he left, a sense of something unfôrtunate to happen soon settled over me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Henry would soon start suspecting something.
When Richard was gone, I paced the apartment, my anxîety reaching a brêaking pôint. I couldn’t sit idly by anymore. I needed dèep answers about Henry, about his intentions, about what kind of man I was truly dealing with.
Grâbbing my coat, I headed out into the night. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew one thing: I couldn’t let Henry Montgomery contrôl my fate any longer.
I had a plan…
To Be Continued.
Watch out for chapter 3
©️ Yùñg Tygä
