Scars of pain

with

e silence that followed echoed

gain,he sat and stretched ou

ffered to give them a ri

e driver to bring, one of the vehicle to p

e merzimerize at beauty

had sent, her hand resting on her swollen belly. Fe

ecision had already been made, and now they were

ment. As the driver handed Feliz a bulky brown envelop

h of it sat untouched on the table. Feliz opened the enve

we can finally pay the rent, go to a real h

distant, as if her soul had not returned with her. The weight of

sleep did no

ed off, she found hers

had Feliz's smile and her eyes. His tiny fists ban

l. Calm. Cold. He lifted the child into his arms a

kened. The ch

sping, her body

eside her. "Gra

ing. "It's nothing.

knew it wasn't just a

s drifted through the windows, buses honking, haw

. "I'll sort the rent and buy the drugs.

le but couldn't

here was a kno

back aching, and open

Ez

aftan. His presence filled the doorway, calm

sked, though he had a

n't be here..."

the bag. "Vitamins, some snacks, and this." He held

the bear wit

like oil. "I only want the child to have a future. One

st tigh

born to alter the course of fate. Your child is special, Grace. I don't expect

inued. "Think of this as a gift. A

heart pounding. "P

n the bed gently, then turned to leav

ng you again

a soft click.She stood there f

'

nd clutched it to her chest. It smelled faintly of p

e was crying until he

she whispered

that no words could explain.The door creaked open. Feliz retu

ce quickly. "He

gently taking her hand. "I know you're scared. I am too. But we'll

is eyes. "Haa, but

d no

ace, one hand resting on her head,

e no longer had the strength to hold back. The silence between them wa

ng. "Maybe... maybe one day, when this child grows up, h

ly. "Or maybe she will cu

sting long shadows on their tiny room. In

ow wil

uld not c