The bus rattled down the worn road, the landscape outside shifting into something too familiar, too suffocating.
Selina hadn't set foot in this small town in months, yet the moment she saw the familiar plains surrounding it, she felt like she had never left. The same narrow streets. The same old buildings that never changed. The same judgmental stares that never left her.
The bus came to a stop, and one by one, the passengers got off. Selina tugged her coat tighter around herself as she stepped onto the pavement. She started walking down the road toward home, ignoring the way a few older women lingered in the town square, pretending not to watch her.
Let them watch. Let them talk. They always did.
As she neared home, her steps slowed, her shoes kicking up dust on the uneven sidewalk. She hadn't told Margaret she was coming—not because she thought she wouldn't be welcomed, even though she had arrived earlier than expected. The reason she hadn't let her sister know was quite simple.
She didn't know what to say when Margaret asked why.
Margaret had always been the responsible one—the one who cleaned up after their alcoholic father, the one who took care of Selina after their mother had been consumed by grief over their brother's death. Growing up in this small town, Margaret had been more of a parent to Selina than both their parents combined.
Before Selina left for college, Margaret had warned her.
She said, "Focus on your studies. Don't worry about money. I'll send you whatever extra I make at the end of each month. In return, I want one thing from you. Don't think for a second that you're the same as the other students there. You're different from everybody."
Selina had laughed, amused. "You make it sound like I'm an alien from outer space."
Margaret had given her a look Selina knew all too well. It was the same look she got every time she got in trouble.
"Compared to the rest of them, you might as well be one. Listen to me carefully. We grew up in a house where certain behavior isn't allowed."
Selina had understood what her sister meant but still hadn't taken it seriously.
"Oh, so this is about me staying a virgin and keeping my 'innocence.' Margaret, I love you, but let's face it—that rule only existed because our father wanted you to be a 'pure maiden' for the Blackwoods. There's nothing holding me back. Not really."
Margaret had looked at her in disapproval, even though she knew Selina was right.
"That may be true, and maybe I wouldn't have to say this if my sister weren't you. And yet, here we are. So hear me out. I'm not saying this for their benefit—I'm saying it for yours. I know you, Selina. You're different from other people. You're bullheaded. You act before you think about the consequences. And you never let go of anyone who's wronged you in any way."
"But they will wrong you."
"Men will break your heart if you give it to them. Not because they're cruel or evil—it's simply the nature of relationships. They tend to end in heartbreak. And you, being you, would be like a bull in a china shop. Don't let the glamour of today fool you into risking your tomorrow. Remember, when you're tempted, you're not doing this to keep yourself pure or innocent—you're doing it to protect your future."
Selina had listened.
For two years, she hadn't let any man touch her.
But she hadn't realized that wasn't what Margaret had meant.
Margaret didn't care whether Selina was a virgin.
She had told her not to let anyone touch her heart.
Well. Too late now.
Selina had fallen in love.
Not that it would matter if she told Margaret. Her sister would only see the problems she had caused.
After everything that had gone wrong, Margaret wouldn't say, "I told you so."
But Selina would hear it anyway—in the way she looked at her.
When she reached the door, Selina hesitated. Her fingers hovered over the handle just for a second. She took a deep breath before she pushed it open.
She walked into the entryway, took off her coat, and hung her bag next to it in the closet. She heard noises coming from inside.
She stepped into the living room.
Saw her father passed out on the couch.
Nothing really changes.
She hadn't seen her mother yet.
Margaret was in the kitchen, her back to the door, stirring something on the stove. The kitchen smelled like food, and Selina would bet it was as delicious as it smelled. Everything Margaret had ever made since she learned to cook was exquisite.
Unlike Selina, who could even burn water.
Margaret still hadn't noticed her come in. Selina swallowed hard and called out to her sister.
Her older sister—the one person she trusted.
Her older sister, who took care of the trouble she caused, who fixed everything she broke.
Ever since they were children.
Well.
She could not fix this.
"Margaret."
Her voice came out steadier than she expected.
Margaret paused and turned, spoon in hand, her eyes widening. "Selina?"
Selina's throat tightened. She had nowhere else to go, but saying the words still felt impossible.
Margaret smiled at her. She put down the spoon, wiped her hands on her apron, and came closer to hug her.
Selina hugged her sister tightly.
Margaret was warm and smelled like spices and something deeper—like home.
Margaret closed the kitchen door and pointed to the chair. "Sit down."
"How did you come back early? You said they wouldn't let you leave work."
Selina sat, fingers twisting together in her lap.
Margaret frowned. "Selina, what's wrong? What happened?"
There was no point in waiting.
"I'm pregnant."
Margaret froze.
For a moment, she didn't react—didn't move, didn't breathe. Then, slowly, realization settled fully on her face.
Margaret's voice was sharp, cutting. "Are you serious?"
Selina lifted her chin. "I wouldn't lie about something like this."
Margaret's expression darkened. "How is this possible? How could you let this happen, Selina? How could you be so careless?"
Selina's fingers curled against the table. She had known Margaret would be upset—but hearing the words still hurt nonetheless.
"It's not that simple," she said, voice tight.
Margaret let out a sharp breath, shaking her head in disbelief. "Of course it's that simple! You're pregnant, and from the look on your face, you're alone. What's going to happen now? How about college? Your job?"
Selina looked at her and said quietly, "I quit my job."
Margaret stared at her in disbelief. "So now you have no way of supporting yourself. What were you thinking?"
Selina's chest burned. "I don't need a lecture from you."
Margaret's jaw clenched. She was about to say more—but before she could, the kitchen door creaked open.
Their mother stepped in, her eyes shining brightly when she noticed Selina. "Selina, you came home! Did you come early for Margaret's engagement?"
Her eyes darted between them.
Both sisters went silent.
Selina kept her expression neutral, though her heart hammered in her chest. Margaret looked away, pressing her lips together. Neither of them said a word.
"What's all this?"
Their mother watched them for a second longer, then sighed and moved toward the counter, muttering something about keeping secrets from her.
Selina exhaled quietly, her grip on the edge of the table loosening.
They never told their mother anything.
She trusted Margaret, even if they fought. But their mother?
That was another matter entirely.
---
Dinner had been busy.
Her mother talked about the neighbors, about how the town was buzzing over Margaret's engagement, but Selina barely heard a word. Afterwards Selina helped cleaning.
Now, she lay in bed, staring at the crack in the ceiling, listening to approaching footsteps.
The door opened, and Margaret leaned against the frame, arms crossed.
"We need to talk about it."
She stepped inside and closed the door.
"Who's the father?"
Selina didn't look at her.
Margaret sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. "You can't do this alone. We need to talk about your choices."
Selina slowly straightened up, facing away from her.
"I don't have many."
Her hands curled against the blanket.
"I won't leave my baby with strangers."
Margaret hesitated. "Then leave the baby with me."
Selina's head snapped toward her. "What?"
Margaret didn't flinch, looking more resolute than before. "Let me adopt the baby."
Selina stared, a cold shock settling in her chest.
Margaret's voice was calm, steady—practical. "You don't have a job. You left everything behind. You worked really hard to get where you are. You have to think about the future. I can look after the baby, and you can go back to college, finish your studies, start over."
Selina hated how reasonable it sounded.
Margaret kept going.
"This way, you'll know the baby is safe and loved. You won't have to struggle."
Selina's heartbeat pounded in her ears.
She knew Margaret meant well.
She knew this was the safest option.
But—
"Don't be absurd."
Selina's voice came out sharper than she intended.
"You're about to be married. Not just to anybody. You're about to be married to one of the wealthiest families in the city. You can't adopt a baby."
Margaret's lips pressed together. "You don't have another plan."
Selina stood.
"Then I'll figure one out."
She turned, opened the door, and walked out of her bedroom toward the stairs before Margaret could say anything else.
She didn't have a plan.
She didn't know what she was going to do.
But she wasn't giving up her baby.
Not to strangers.
Not even to Margaret.
She would find a way.