4

Belle's POV

The moment we entered the house, my mother exploded. She had remained silent the entire ride home after the shocking news the doctor had delivered. Pamela had dropped us off, and the tension had only grown during the silence that lingered as we entered our home.

I bite my lower lip, overwhelmed by regret, and I don't know how to respond to my mother. How can I be three months pregnant without even realizing it? I ask myself. I know my mother must be terribly disappointed in me, and her harsh words cut deep.

"Who the hell did you have sex with, Belle?" My mother yells at me, her words laced with anger. "Aren't you going to answer me, you loose girl?"

"Mom, I'm not loose," I retort with anger rising in my voice. "Why are you calling me a loose girl when you don't even know how I got pregnant?"

"Then talk! Your silence is killing me," she snaps. "How will you cope with this and your academics? Is this how I raised you? Why do you like tormenting me?"

"Mom..."

"Don't call me," she interrupts me. "Just tell me who pumped his seed into you, you naive girl."

I sigh, unsure of what to say. How can I explain that I don't even know his name, that I only recognize his face? I feel completely messed up.

My mother gasps suddenly, as if remembering something. We're in the living room, which contains two sofas, a sofa set, and a center table. It's a modest home that has sheltered us for years, and it's a constant reminder of my mother's financial struggles compared to my friend Pamela, who owns a car.

"Belle," my mother raises her head, pointing an accusing finger at me. "Cameron left three months ago, right?"

I understand her implication immediately and shake my head. My mother is mistakenly thinking that Cameron is the father of my unborn child.

"It's not what you're thinking, Mom," I explain. "Cameron and I had been growing apart for three months before we broke up."

My mother breathes a sigh of relief and slumps onto the nearest sofa. She has always despised Cameron, and his departure had brought her relief.

"Then who the hell impregnated you?" Her voice is heavy with concern. "You didn't start dating again before the breakup, did you?"

"No, Mom," I reply calmly.

"Then what happened?"

"The night after we broke up, remember that Pam and I went to a party?"

"And you were raped?" My mother makes an assumption.

"No, Mom. It was a consensual choice. I did it because I thought Cameron would find out and feel bad about it. I did it out of spite to make him aware that other men find me attractive..."

"And you foolishly had sex with some man," she interrupts me with anger.

I remain silent. My mother is becoming more agitated. "And you didn't even think of taking emergency contraception afterward?" Her voice trembles with frustration.

"Mom?"

"Don't call me. Do you know what kind of situation we're in now? How are we going to handle this pregnancy?"

"I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't intend for this to happen," I say, sobbing quietly.

My mother exhales deeply and leans back on the sofa, pondering our predicament. "Who is this man?" She finally asks.

I'm at a loss for words. I knew this moment would come. How do I explain that I don't know the man who impregnated me?

"Belle, I asked you a question, didn't I?"

"Mom, I do... don't... don't..."

"Speak up," she demands.

"I don't know him," I finally blurt out.

"What?"

"Yes, Mom," I shake my head vigorously. "I only recognize his face, I don't know his name or where he lives."

"What?" Mom exclaims in disbelief.

I quickly retreat to my room after my mother delivers a hard slap to my cheeks. As I enter my room, tears start streaming down my face. I let them flow freely as I sprawl on my bed.

I feel utterly doomed. How will I handle this in school? Will I become a laughingstock among my classmates? And when Cameron inevitably finds out, how will he react? All of these thoughts are fueling my tears.

My mom's slap was just the catalyst that released the tears I'd been holding back ever since the doctor's revelation.

I try to think of ways to somehow encounter the man again. I can barely recognize his face, so I close my eyes to etch his image in my memory.

My mom works as a waitress in a restaurant, and I'm unsure how we'll manage financially, considering her modest income.

Am I supposed to drop out of school? I ponder this bleak question.

The tears refuse to cease. I have nothing to console myself with. Feeling profoundly ashamed, I cry uncontrollably. Eventually, I fall asleep on my bed, still dressed.

A knock at my door wakes me from a deep slumber.

"Belle, I'm sorry. Please open the door," my mom pleads from outside.

I'm still on the bed, listening to her. I want to get up and open the door, but I'm still hurt by her actions. I understand that I'm at fault, and I don't expect her to praise me for my foolish choices, but I had hoped for her support during this trying time.

"Belle, please open the door. I'm sorry. I was just mad at you for..."

"Just go away, Mom," I yell.

"Belle, please hear me out."

"Go!"

I don't hear her voice again, and a few minutes later, I hear her footsteps receding. I'm about to drift back to sleep when my phone rings. It's Tony. I realize that we were supposed to go out tonight.

"Tony, I'm sorry, I can't make it tonight," I apologize immediately.

"What? Come on, Belle. My friends are already calling. I told them you'd be coming with me."

"I know, Tony, but I can't make it. Something came up. I'm sorry," I mumble.

"Damn it! You should have called to let me know earlier, Belle. Why wait until I call?" He shouts, displaying a selfish side that's irritating me.

"Do you even know what happened? I collapsed right after we parted, and I was rushed to the hospital. I never knew you could be this selfish," I snap.

I'm furious with him, angry at everyone.

"Belle..."

"Shut up and get off my phone," I scream in annoyance, hanging up abruptly.

Belle's Perspective:

The following morning, I wake up with a sense of urgency and rush to take a quick shower. I have an 8:00 am class, and it's already 7:30 am when I step out of the bathroom.

I grab the first piece of clothing I can find in my closet and hastily put it on. There's no time for makeup. I dash out of my room, hoping to find a cab promptly.

As I make my way to the door, I spot a tray of food waiting for me just outside. I smile, recognizing my mother's thoughtful gesture. I pick it up, realizing she left it there the previous night. I take the tray to the kitchen without intending to bid her goodbye, still nursing a bit of anger.

When I reach the living room, I find my mother engaged in conversation with Pamela. They're speaking in hushed tones, and they halt when they notice my arrival. Pam says her goodbyes to my mom, and we leave the house.

"What's going on with you and your mother?" Pam inquires as we approach the car.

I shrug. "What was she talking to you about?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"That's right."

We continue our drive in silence until we reach the school. I'm aware that Pamela has a lot to discuss with me, but the news from yesterday still perplexes both of us.

Upon entering the school premises, Pamela parks the car, and we step out. We hurry towards the lecture hall as we only have a few minutes before our first class of the day.

Before I can enter the lecture hall, my eyes meet Tony's, and he quickly averts his gaze.

I look away as well and enter the hall for my first class of the morning.

Pamela inquires as we head to the parking lot around 3 pm after finishing our classes for the day.

“No,” I reply.

“I noticed how he…”

"Did he act like he knew something?"

"Yes," she replies. "It was pretty bad of him."

"Let's not mind that idiot."

"Did you explain to him what happened?" She inquires with curiosity.

"He was going on about how he'd told his friends I was coming and how disappointed they'd be if I didn't show up. He didn't even bother to ask why I had to cancel before spewing that nonsense."

"What did you tell him then?"

"I just said I was sick. Maybe he thinks I was lying since I look fine today."

Pamela breathes a sigh of relief. "I thought you told him about the pregnancy," she whispers.

"No," I respond firmly. "Why would I do that?"

"I noticed he kept giving you strange glances in class, like he knew something..."

"I only told him I collapsed and was rushed to the hospital."

She exhales deeply. I know she's fond of Tony and wants me to be with him, but strangely, I'm not particularly attracted to him, at least until he asked me out. I've realized he's a decent guy, but he's making a mess of things again.

I doubt I'll ever love someone the way I loved Cameron. Speaking of Cameron, I can't help but wonder how he'll react when he finds out I'm pregnant with a stranger's child. I just hope our paths never cross again, especially not in my current situation.

"Let's go home. I don't want a repeat of yesterday's collapse," she says with a smile.

We still haven't discussed the pregnancy, but I'm not ready to talk to anyone about it.

My body refuses to accept the reality of my pregnancy. Ever since the doctor delivered the news, my fever has vanished, and I feel stronger than ever. The dizziness and high temperature are no longer a problem.

"Don't worry, I won't," I respond with a smile.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I know she's hinting at the pregnancy. I smile sadly and shake my head before getting into her car.

It's a yellow BMW×5, and I always enjoy the ride with Pamela. She's neither too fast nor too slow. Her father owns a telecommunications firm, and her mother works in the White House, although her mother's role remains a mystery to me, as Pamela doesn't like discussing it. However, Pamela is proud of her father's achievements. She's his pride and joy.

We drive in silence, and I know that Pamela is incredibly understanding. She won't be upset with me for not wanting to discuss the pregnancy. Her silence indicates that she's giving me the space and time I need to come to terms with the new life growing inside me before I'm ready to talk about it.

When she pulls over in our driveway, she says, "Don't hesitate to call me whenever you need me. I'll always be here for you. And please, talk to your mother. She regrets slapping you..."

"She told you that?" My eyes widen.

"Yes," she confirms.

I feel a bit embarrassed that my mom told Pamela about the slap.

"See you tomorrow, love," she hugs me.

"Alright, you too." I return the hug and get out of the car. I wave as she drives away. I take a deep breath and turn to head inside the house. I know my mom will be at work, so I'll be home alone until she returns at 5 pm.

When I enter the house, my stomach rumbles as I catch the scent of something cooking. I realize I haven't eaten anything since morning. I sense there's someone in the kitchen, and it must be my mom.

Why is she home at this time of day?

"Belle, is that you?" I stand by the door, unsure of how to act around her.

Our relationship has changed. I'm no longer the little girl she used to treat me as. I'm about to become a mother myself, making her a grandmother.

I'm beginning to admit the truth to myself, and it's an embarrassing reality. As my mom appears from the kitchen, tears start streaming down my face. She rushes to me, and I completely break down in her arms.