Chapter 2 Baby, I've seen your father!

Rachel’s POV

One month later...

“Rachel! Rachel!” I stopped folding clothes abruptly as Uncle’s voice boomed through the room. He called me again. What else does he want from me?

They were furious with me, blaming me for the death of my parents and siblings. They claimed that because I wasn’t there when the fire broke out, I brought bad luck upon our family.

I hurriedly made my way over. I had been living in their house for a month now. They provided for me, but it felt as if they had turned me into a servant. They barely even fed me.

I had to give up my studies because I could no longer afford my education.

“What are you doing in the bedroom again? Are you sleeping? Don’t act like a lady here! I’m providing for you! You’re here to work! Take care of all the household chores!” Uncle preached furiously, and I bowed my head in submission.

I didn’t know if he was truly my father’s brother. Why did he treat me this way? It was as if I wasn’t his niece at all.

“What are you doing there? Get ready! Do the laundry! I’m leaving! If I come back to a messy house and find you idle, I’ll kick you out!” He screamed in my face. I closed my eyes, feeling terrible, but I forced myself to get up and work. If they kicked me out, and I had nowhere else to go, I might end up wandering the streets and begging for survival.

“RACHEL! Are you listening?” he snarled at me. I blinked, momentarily lost in my thoughts.

“Yes, Uncle! I will do everything you’ve asked of me,” I replied. I gathered the scattered dirty clothes, even though I had done the laundry just yesterday and would have to do it again today. Exhaustion had drained me of nearly all my energy. I couldn’t even sleep peacefully because Uncle and even my male cousins would constantly give me orders, even late at night when their girlfriends were around.

“It’s a good thing we understand each other. Oh, by the way, I’m leaving!” Uncle finally departed, leaving me behind with my cousins and their girlfriends.

The cousins were still in their rooms, occupied with their respective girlfriends.

While I was putting the laundry in the washing machine, my vision suddenly blurred. I sat down, frowning, as my surroundings seemed to spin.

“Oh, cousin! Wash this too! Why are you just sitting there? Wash it!” Despite feeling dizzy, I managed to catch the clothes my cousin threw at me. The smell of bleach lingered in my nose.

In recent days, I had noticed an increase in the strength of my sense of smell. I had also lost my appetite, so even when Uncle gave me a small portion of rice, I couldn’t bring myself to eat it.

After finishing the laundry, I began cleaning the house. Despite my longing to rest, I couldn’t afford to, as my work was far from over. If Uncle returned to find unfinished tasks, he might kick me out for good.

I rubbed my forehead again. My strength was waning; I felt as if my body might give out any moment now.

When I sensed something peculiar, I dashed to the bathroom. The smell of onions had turned my stomach upside down. It was my cousin’s girlfriend cooking.

I vomited in the bathroom, clutching my stomach as I emerged. I didn’t realize that my cousin, Aaron, was standing by the door. He looked at me with concern.

“What’s happening? Why are you vomiting?” he asked.

“I... I don’t know, Brother Aaron,” I replied, bowing my head as his gaze bore into me. I was taken aback when he grabbed me and firmly held my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

“Tell me, Rachel. Are you pregnant? Have you been involved with someone? You’re only seventeen, so don’t tell me you’re pregnant!” He yelled in my face.

“Brother Aaron... I was in pain,” I said, my eyes shut tightly as tears streamed down my face.

What if I am pregnant? How did this happen? What will happen to me? And my future child? Will they experience the same oppression I am enduring now? I didn’t want that for them. I didn’t want my unborn child to suffer as I was suffering.

I cried even more, but he still didn’t let go of me. “You didn’t answer? You’re pregnant!” Brother Aaron shouted at my face once again.

“Aaron...” his girlfriend suddenly pulled him away, and I breathed a sigh of relief as he released his grip on my face. I rubbed my jaw, feeling the pain.

“Aaron? What are you doing? Why are you hurting Rachel? She’s just a child. My god! She’s only seventeen years old! How can Rachel be pregnant? She doesn’t have a boyfriend!” Brother Aaron’s girlfriend confronted me. “Rachel, tell me the truth. You’re not pregnant, are you? You’re too young for that.” Her words worried me even more.

Brother Aaron’s girlfriend still showed concern for me, while my own family members caused me pain.

I continued crying in front of them, feeling overwhelmed. “Rachel... shh. Don’t cry,” she comforted me, pulling me into a hug.

“Later, I’ll buy you a pregnancy test so we can be sure, and your brother Aaron won’t bother you anymore.” I nodded, tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Thank you very much.”

She hugged me again. “You’re a woman, and I’m a woman too. I understand you. It’s even more difficult for you now because it’s only been a month since your family disappeared. I-I’m sorry, Rachel, for bringing it up.”

“Don’t listen to child! If it’s proven that she’s pregnant, be ready to abort the child,” Brother Aaron said.

My eyes widened in shock. How could he say such a thing? Even in my current situation, I couldn’t bear the thought of aborting the child if it turned out I was indeed pregnant.

At that moment, they left to buy a pregnancy test for me. I felt nervous, fearing the possibility of being pregnant. It had only happened once, during Brother Declan’s bachelor party.

What should I do?

What will happen to me?

They returned home later in the afternoon, accompanied by Brother Aaron and Uncle. My nervousness intensified.

“Really!” Uncle called out furiously. “Come here.”

“U-Uncle...” I approached him hesitantly.

“What did your brother Aaron say? Are you pregnant?”

I felt anger toward Brother Aaron, but I kept it hidden. I tried to defend myself, but I failed, even in the presence of Brother Aaron’s girlfriend. Uncle leaned forward, scolding me. “I-I’m not sure yet,” I replied, my voice trembling.

In response, Uncle delivered a strong slap. “Not sure? So, you’re saying you’ve been promiscuous? You’re not sure if you’re pregnant? Does that mean you’re having fun while your parents are suffering? It’s only been a month! It’s only been a month!” Overwhelmed with guilt, I closed my eyes tightly. I regretted that day deeply. If I had known what would happen, I would have returned home and perished in the fire. My conscience haunted me every day. I hadn’t even apologized to Mama and Papa. I missed them so much.

Uncle grabbed my hand and handed me a small white object. “Collect your urine!” he commanded. I stared at the object in my hand. “W-what is this?”

“A pregnancy test, you fool!”

With my head lowered, I walked to the bathroom. I applied a few drops of urine and anxiously waited for the result. The instructions stated that two lines indicated pregnancy, while one line indicated otherwise.

After a few minutes, I covered my mouth in shock at the result I saw. Two lines were unmistakably present. C-could I be pregnant?

“Really! What’s the matter?” Uncle shouted from outside. Trembling, I opened the bathroom door. I handed him the test, my hands shaking. As he saw the two lines, his eyes widened, and he looked at me with fury.

I was taken aback when he slapped me forcefully, causing my face to turn.

“You have no shame, you wretched child! You’re promiscuous! While my brother supports you in your studies, you engage in promiscuity! It’s a disgrace that my brother is suffering just so you can pursue an education! You’re a shameless brat!” He nearly tore out my hair as he dragged me out of the bathroom.

“Uncle... please, it hurts! It hurts... I beg you,” I pleaded, but he only tightened his grip on my hair.

Finally, he let go, and I slumped to the floor. Fortunately, I managed to keep my hands steady, preventing my head from hitting the floor too hard.

“Get out of here! Find the man who impregnated you! Go find the man responsible for this so you can survive! Let’s see if he can even provide you with a decent meal!” Uncle shouted for all the neighbors to hear.

All the neighbors came out of their houses and witnessed the horrifying scene.

“Uncle, I have nowhere else to go. Please show me mercy. Don’t cast me away. I’m begging you. I’ll kneel if I have to.”

“Get out of my house! You’re unlucky! Go away!” he shouted.

I never imagined my own family could do this to me. Aren’t they supposed to support and help me? Why do they continue to drag me down until I collapse and die?

I won’t force myself on them any longer. With a heavy heart, I turned away from them. Tears streamed down my cheeks.

What am I going to do now? Where should I go?

As I took a few steps, someone called out to me. I turned around to see Brother Aaron’s girlfriend running towards me.

“Rachel, here’s some money for food. I’m sorry it’s not much. And here’s a cellphone. Use it when you need to,” she said. I managed to smile, despite everything.

She was genuinely concerned about me. She was still good.

“Thank you so much, sister,” I said, immediately embracing her. She patted my back gently.

“Go somewhere safe. Oh, and be careful. Maybe your brother Aaron will see me with you. He’ll be angry with me if he sees me chasing you,” she advised.

We released the hug, and I wiped away my tears. “Thank you so much, sister. I’m grateful that you remembered me. Thank you for the cellphone and the money,” I said, tears still falling.

She smiled at me. “Take care, Rachel. I hope your pregnancy goes well, and I hope things work out between you and the baby’s father. Take care.” With a wave, she turned and walked away, leaving me behind. I continued to shed tears as I watched her disappear into the distance.

I thought about loading some credit to call Daisy. She answered my call promptly, but there was a lot of background noise.

“Oh, Rachel, you called?” Daisy said, her voice barely audible.

“Daisy, do you remember who was at your brother’s bachelor party?”

“No, why?”

“B-because I’m pregnant...” I said, and the line fell silent.

“Wait, what are you talking about, Rachel. I’m here for Brother’s wedding. I’m sorry! Hanging up! I can’t hear you,” she said, and then she hung up.

I took a deep breath. Even Daisy seemed to be avoiding me.

I found myself at a cafe, feeling hesitant to order food as I might not have enough money. Brother Aaron’s girlfriend had given me a thousand. I couldn’t spend it recklessly because I had something more important to use it for.

I sat there, watching people eating in the cafeteria. My stomach grumbled, and I started crying again because of my current situation. I never thought I would reach such a low point.

“Baby, no matter what happens, I will fight for you,” I whispered, rubbing my stomach. At that moment, my stomach rumbled again. I was really hungry.

My eyes shifted to a small TV screen hanging on the cafeteria wall.

“Congratulations, Mr. Morgan. You’ve opened another new business this year,” the reporter on TV announced.

My gaze fixated on the man’s face. It looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I had seen him before. Then, suddenly, it hit me. He was the man I had a one-night stand with during the bachelor party. I couldn’t be mistaken because I had stared at him before finally leaving.

An overwhelming mix of nervousness and excitement surged within me. “Baby, I’ve seen your father,” I whispered to my still-small stomach.