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 22
*TESSA
My fist clenched as I approached them.
“Good morning.sir.”I greeted, Declan.politely but as for Anna,I’ll pretend I didn’t see her.
I took a step to the side to continue walking but Anna stopped me.
“Are you going to pretend you didn’t see me,sister”
1 glared at her.
“We aren’t sisters.”
“You’re related to my step father and that makes us related as well. You know…after you confronted him that day at Uncle Wilson’s party.He fell ill for a few days. You couldn’t even come see him.”
I frowned.
How was I supposed to know that he was sick?
And if I can remember,it’s no business of mine.
Was she deliberately trying to make me look like a bad person right now?
‘Anna,I’m sure you and your mother took care of him.I don’t need to worry since you two snatched that responsibility from us.”
Her eyes widened.
‘Aren’t you ever tired of playing the pity party?”
I glanced at Declan and realized that it wasn’t mature to continue this brawl with Anna so I walked off.
got to my desk and sighed.
Can’t she ever pretend she doesn’t know me for once in her freaky life?!
shut my eyes briefly.
won’t let her ruin my day.
1
‘m not bothered that my father chose someone else over me.
I’m still going to be happy.
‘m always going to be happy.
With those positive thoughts, I opened my eyes and everything blurred.
I shook my head but everything and everyone were appearing in twos and in threes.
Feeling so weak, I lost control over my body and fell from the chair.
I could dimly hear some people running towards me but then I was swallowed into the darkness.
My eyes fluttered opened slowly…
I looked around everywhere was white and I was lying on the bed.
“She’s awake.”I suddenly heard Audrey say as she moved closer to the bed.
I saw another of my colleague,Fabiola.
“What happened to me?What am I doing here?”I asked,confused.
“You passed out at work. We had to quickly get you to the hospital.I’m so glad you’re okay now.”Audrey replied.
I frowned when I saw a third person move closer to the bed.
Anna.
“What are you doing here?”
‘Oh dear,I was still at the company when I saw you on the ambulance.I had to come with Declan to make sure you were alright.”
My frown deepened. “The boss is here too?”
‘He was but he left few minutes ago.”Fabiola replied.
wondered what made me pass out but seeing Anna’s face was making me so uncomfortable right now.
Who is she trying to impress by being here?
As if she cares!
‘Anna, you should….”
At that moment,a male doctor walked in.
It’s good that you’re awake,how are you feeling?”
Tired…very tired.”
He smiled, cheerfully.”You should get plenty of rest after you are discharged, okay? And also,your baby’s fine.”
The room instantly fell silent.
s he joking right now?
Wow.”Anna let out,sarcastically.
I… what do you mean?”I asked,feeling dizzy all over again.
Oh…you’re pregnant.”
I’m not.”
I’m sorry, Miss Beckett.I thought you might be aware already. You’re five weeks pregnant.”
1…what?”
‘I really didn’t see that coming.”Anna chipped in.
“Get out,Anna.”I barked.
She stared at me coyly and then left the ward.
I’m pregnant?
How?
Why
I got discharged that day and told to go home but that night I couldn’t sleep.
I couldn’t even bring myself to tell my mom or my sister.
I couldn’t even bring myself to believe this as well.
Even if I went home with the letter confirming that I was indeed pregnant….it still feels so unreal to me.
ཏྟཱཏྟཱ
The following day,I walked into the company trying to put up a bright smile even if I was dying on the inside.
I wanted to believe that this was all a dream.
I saw some ladies around a desk whispering….
‘She isn’t married yet.”
‘Does she even have a boyfriend?”
‘I doubt that.”
I heard she recently broke up with her boyfriend.”
Oh my,and now she got pregnant for someone else.”
She’s so promiscuous.”
wanted to believe that they weren’t talking about me but the strange stares they gave me and the way they all retired to their desks made me convinced that
his was about me.
Dread filled me.
They’re talking about me!
Oh God.
Everyone knows I’m pregnant!
Audrey held my hand and pulled me away.
We stopped walking when we got to the hallway.
I’m so sorry…I couldn’t stop the gossip.Fabiola told everyone.”
swallowed and ran my hand through my hair in frustration.
‘I still can’t believe this.”
Tessa,pull yourself together. You need to stop being in denial and figure this shit out. Who’s responsible?”
Before me and Marcus broke up,we didn’t have sex for a while so the closest sex I’ve had that could have created the baby was….
My hand flew over my mouth in shock.
“1. I think the boss might not have used a condom when we had that one night stand.”
“And you didn’t think of using any morning after pill.”
“Oh Damn it!! was so reeled up about sleeping with a stranger…I forgot….”
NON
My period was indeed late but I thought it might just be due to stress.
Oh God.
Why is my life taking this sudden turn?
“You have to go tell him.”
I shook my head. “I… I don’t have the balls to.”
“Tessa…”
“You think a rich man like him will take responsibility for this?”
“He did this so he should…”
I shook my head in despair.
“I’m so happy I’m going to be aunt.”
I looked up to see Anna approaching.
Seriously? Does she work here now?!
“I’m not in the mood for your bullshit.”I snapped.
“Can’t you ever be nice for once? You’re going to be a mother so loosen up.I’m here to congratulate my sister.”
“Stop calling me that…”
‘Anyway,I did a little digging on Marcus.He’s abroad with another woman.Holy molly!Don’t tell me he abandoned you?”
‘Mind your fucking business!”
Does she have to annoy me at all times?!
don’t need this right now.
Tessa,let’s just go.”Audrey urged pulling me away.
Tears stung my eyes.
What do I do now?
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.
