Chapter Insight: What This Scene Reveals About the Story
This chapter uncovers emotional layers that quietly guide the story’s direction, revealing motivations beneath the surface. Their choices are shaped by deeper conflicts they struggle to express. Tension builds subtly, hinting at consequences that will echo beyond this scene. Emotional shifts here set the stage for how each character navigates challenges ahead.
Turning Points: Critical Moments That Shape the Chapter
This chapter introduces key shifts that alter the emotional tone and direction of the story. Confessions, confrontations, or hesitations act as catalysts, pushing characters to reassess themselves and each other. Small moments gain weight as they influence the broader arc.
Emotional Underflow: How Each Character Truly Feels Here
Behind every line lies an undercurrent of emotion the characters try to hide. Their internal struggles show through gestures and pauses, revealing truths they cannot fully voice. This chapter highlights how deeply their emotions shape their choices.
Shadows of the Past: Trauma & History Influencing This Chapter
Past experiences and old wounds influence every decision. Histories rise to the surface, adding weight to interactions and guiding present actions. Trauma and memory become driving forces in the unfolding drama.
Power Shifts: How Relationships Change in This Chapter
Emotional power shifts as characters confront uncomfortable truths. Vulnerability and strength move between them, reshaping relationships and forcing reconsideration of boundaries and roles.
Hidden Meanings: Symbolism Woven Into Key Scenes
Symbolic details enrich the chapter, mirroring internal struggles. Objects, settings, and gestures reveal deeper truths that words alone cannot express, tying personal conflict to the broader world.
Signals of What’s Coming: Foreshadowing in This Chapter
Subtle details foreshadow future conflicts and emotional revelations. Characters’ reactions hint at challenges ahead, planting seeds that will grow into significant turning points.
Lines That Hit Hard: Important Quotes & Why They Matter
Several lines carry emotional weight, revealing hidden fears, desires, and vulnerabilities. These quotes serve as anchors that stay with the reader and deepen the impact of the scene.
Chapter 23
*TESSA
Later that day.I locked myself at the company’s restroom.
I know I should think of a way forward but my mind was in turmoil.
Sure I’ve had plans of getting married and having kids before but I really don’t see it happening soon.
And I certainly didn’t dare to imagine getting pregnant anytime soon.
I placed my hands on my belly.
I can’t believe a little baby is growing inside of me.
have thought about abortion…
should I go for it?
wasn’t really capable of raising a child…I wasn’t prepared to yet.
But thinking about aborting this baby made me feel nauseous.
Audrey’s words ran through my head…
should really tell Declan about this.
He has to know.
walked out of the restroom and headed for his office.
knocked on the door and his voice instructed me to come in.
walked in to find Stella also in his office.
Can I talk to you,sir?Alone?”I asked.
le frowned minutely but nodded.
tella walked out of the office.
What is it,Tessa?”He asked,leaning against the chair.
I’m pregnant.”I announced.
le nodded. “Everyone’s been talking about that today.Some people like keeping it private for the first few months but I guess you are very excited about it.Do
ou want to take a leave?”He said.
blinked.
le obviously thinks this baby isn’t his.
My fist clenched and I blurted out, “It’s yours.The child is yours.”
Declan laughed. “You have a boyfriend.”
I don’t”
Don’t lie. I saw you two at the restaurant that day and I also saw you two at the front of my company.I can vividly remember him rubbing your back and you
guys were acting all cozy.
Tdgar is my friend. “I cut in.
He slowly stood up. “This is not the first time anyone has ever tried to pin down a pregnancy on me so it’s not shocking.”
“I’m not trying. We had a one night stand!I haven’t had sex in a while before that and after that, I didn’t sleep with anyone!”I let out,exasperatedly.
His eyes dilated, slightly. “You didn’t take any morning after pills.”
I shook my head.
“You should have….”
“And you should have used a fucking condom.”I snapped.
We both fell silent.
What’s he thinking about?
Is he going to suggest an abortion?
Is he going to pay me off?
I don’t even know what I want him to do right now.
“Are you sure you’re pregnant for me?”He asked,almost quietly that I didn’t hear.
I nodded with tears filled eyes.
“And I somehow feel you’re telling the truth but I…I don’t plan of having a baby right now.”He said.
He wasn’t speaking harshly anymore but softly.
“Do….do…you want me to get an abortion then?”I asked with my mouth in my throat.
“Do you want to get an abortion?”He asked looking straight at me.
I looked away feeling as if I had the weight of the whole world on my shoulders.
“This is just too sudden and I need to think about it…let’s say tomorrow…let’s talk tomorrow.”He said,looking very flustered.
I wanted to be away from him for now too.
I wanted to be away from everyone.
When I got home,I cried my eyes out.
I can’t believe that one night stand is about to ruin my entire life.
I had been mortified to have had a one night stand with a stranger.
Now carrying his child?
Even if he wasn’t a stranger to me anymore…
I’ve always wanted to have kids with someone I love.
“Tessa,dinner’s ready.”My mom said walking into my bedroom.
प्र
On seeing my face,she rushed towards me.
Why are you crying.dear?”
I knew I couldn’t hide this from her any longer.
“I’m pregnant.”1 announced.
“What? How far gone are you?”
“Five weeks.”I sniffed.
Her teeth clenched.
“And Marcus had the nerves to break up with you…He….”
“The child isn’t Marcus’s.”
“What?!”
“It’s Declan’s.My boss…I…I had a little thing with him some weeks back…that was before he became my boss…”
“Oh honey.”She cooed.”Have you told him about it?”
I nodded.
“What did he say?”
“He said he would think about what to do tonight.”
“What do you want to do about it,sweetie?”
“I don’t know.I’m saddened that I’m pregnant unexpectedly but at the same time, the thought of getting an abortion makes me feel so empty.”
she slowly hugged me and stroked my hair.
‘Stop crying,my dear.I think what you should do now is listen to what your boss has to say tomorrow and if it’s what you don’t want,you don’t have to do it.And don’t overthink things…I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
I sighed into her arms…feeling a bit better.
The following day,I decided I wasn’t going to have an abortion.
have no idea on how I’m going to cope.
was still even coming to terms with being pregnant.
And thinking about how awkward things are going to be for Declan and I made me feel so confused.
At 10:am,Declan called me to his office.
Sit. “He said to me.
I slowly sat down opposite to him.
He has never asked me to sit.
‘How are you feeling?”
Fine I guess. “I replied,awkwardly.
“So…I practically couldn’t sleep last night and I was thinking about what to do about the child. Honestly, I’ve encountered about three women who tried to pin town a pregnancy on me….I usually could tell they were lying because they immediately demanded for money which I didn’t give to them. And then they end up confessing to not being pregnant at all. I’m sorry I didn’t use a condom that night.I don’t always go raw on women….but you were just…em…”
[ bit my bottom lip.
Wow…I didn’t think he could talk so gently.
Anyway.everyone in this building practically knows you’re pregnant and you said it’s mine which I concluded you won’t lie about.So the best decision I could nake was that we should get married.”
absently nodded in comprehension but then I realized that was far from my understanding.
Wait…what?!”
Let’s get married.”
Closing Reflection
This chapter ends with shifting emotions and unresolved tension, hinting at deeper conflicts and unspoken truths. Choices made here will shape what follows, and the weight of this moment lingers as a quiet turning point.
Next Chapter Teaser
The next chapter will build on these consequences, drawing characters into challenges they can no longer avoid. Tension will rise, secrets will surface, and new revelations will reshape the path ahead.
Reader Engagement
This chapter raises questions about motivations, emotions, and relationships. Which moment mattered most? Who revealed more than they intended? How might events here reshape the bonds between characters?
World/Lore Connection
Beneath the emotions lies the broader world’s influence. Unseen rules, histories, and power structures shape choices and outcomes, adding weight to every action taken in this scene.
One-Line Ending
With this chapter complete, the story steps into a new phase filled with uncertainty, tension, and possibility.
