Two Lines

Two weeks.Four unopened messages from Celina.Zero contact from Tim.And one plastic stick with two pink lines.Lucy stared at the test on the bathroom counter like it might vanish if she blinked.But it didn't.She was pregnant.She ran a shaky hand through her hair, pacing the tiny space of her apartment. It didn't feel real. None of it did. The fake relationship, the real heartbreak, the night she and Tim crossed a line she swore they'd never blur.And now this.She grabbed her phone and hit the one number that felt safe.

Thirty Minutes Later – Angela's Living RoomAngela answered the door in sweats, holding a half-eaten bowl of cereal and looking as calm and collected as ever — even with eight months of baby belly out front."Hey, babe. You okay? You sounded—" Angela stopped mid-sentence when she saw Lucy's face.Without a word, Lucy walked inside and dropped onto the couch, holding the pregnancy test in her hand like it was radioactive.Angela sat slowly, eyes widening. "Is that—?"Lucy nodded. "I took three."Angela placed the cereal bowl down and reached for Lucy's hand."Okay," she said, calm and steady. "Talk to me.""I don't even know where to start," Lucy whispered. "I thought I was just late from stress and—now I don't know what to do. I don't even know if I should tell him. He thinks I walked away. Because Marla lied."Angela's eyes narrowed. "Marla.""She told him I ended it. She confronted me with a picture, threatened his career... and I let her. I thought I was protecting him, but now—""Now you're carrying his child," Angela finished softly.Lucy nodded, tears finally escaping."I didn't ask for this, Angela. I didn't ask to fall for him. I didn't ask to lose him. And now I'm... what if I have to do this alone?"Angela was silent for a long moment before speaking gently. "Then you do it strong. But I don't think you have to."Lucy looked up."You're not the only one Marla's lied to. And Tim?" Angela said with quiet certainty. "He deserves to know the truth. Whether or not he's ready for it is his choice. But if you don't give him that choice, you're not protecting him — you're erasing him."Lucy wiped her face. "I'm scared."Angela squeezed her hand. "So was I. So is everyone. But that doesn't mean you hide. That means you stand taller."