Bitter smile

e month l

second time that morning, with her m

e" she commanded whi

to her mother with her h

up again, Dara simpl

d looking at her as if th

Dara replied, tryi

concern and intuition. "Dara, you've been ac

fine"Dara a

mother said, her voice firm but ge

her know? She hadn't even taken a test yet, b

essed, her eyes filled with a mi

ners of her eyes. She nodded slo

nto a tight hug. "Oh, my child. W

er. Maybe, just maybe, her mother coul

a stern expression on her face. "

"I shouldn't have done anyt

sider the fact that her mo

g with guilt and shame. "I was desperate, and I made

. "Oh, Dara, my child. I'm not angry with you. I'm just worried about

titude. Maybe, just maybe, she could find a

asked again, "Dara

. She knew her mother wouldn't approve of Demilad

to talk about it right now," D

about it later. But for now, let's focus on

wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, she

She kept thinking about that night, about Demilade, and about the conseque

text from an unknown number. "Dara,

a beat. Who was thi

ent, then typed out a r

o cares about you. Meet me at the park

iosity. What truth? What did th

o alert her mother. She made her way to the park, her heart racing

re waiting for her on a bench. It was a wo

ng," the woman said, her

a demanded, trying

plied. "What's important is that I know

ned in shock. "H

But I'm here to help you, Dara. I know you're in

ld she trust this woman? Or was

ed from behind a tree, her eyes

a's mother demande

her face. "I'm someone who cares ab

s. "I don't believe you. What

help her. But I think we shou

is either you reveal yourself or you f

mother and I want him to be resp

ilade's mother?" she repeated, try

shamed of what he's done to you, Dara. He's always been r

nd tightened. "What do you pla

s. I want him to be involved in the pregnancy and help raise the child. He'

ffer for what he'd done to her, but another part of her wanted

the want of a fatherly love but sh

cated gi

e

with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "You want him to take responsibilit

many ways. But I also know that he has the potential to be

ade involved in her life, let alone their child's life. But a part of he

responsibility this time?" Dara's

'll make sure he does. I'll make sure he knows what's a

she trust Demilade's mother? Could