From Collateral to Queen

ht was the beginning of my real

orning, believing each pill was a step closer to

ock was ticking, a fact my ex-

ed my maturity, my independence, my established life. He

e pregnancy test, I felt a wave of pure j

ough the door. His laptop was open on the bed, a notification f

the better of

world s

ege friends, all working in tech

? Still paying for every

eager I don't even need a co

scanning the screen, searching for Caleb's name. A

ys. A practice run. Can't mess thin

to get all the practice I can. Madisyn is

suddenly feeling like a lead weight. The two pink lines weren

to how I' d redesigned his startup' s entire branding deck for free, working late nights while he wen

l slung low on his hips, water dripping from his h

he asked, pointing t

couldn't let hi

e surprisingly steady. "Feeling a little

iced smile. "Poor baby. Come h

ed, pulling away. The thought o

, my voice flat. "I'm going

"Maddy, I'm so sorry. Have I been too demanding lately? You know I love you for yo

it second, I almost doubted what I had read. But the word

d I had been his mo

away. "I just n

e cool wood. The dam broke. Silent tears streamed down my face, for the

Jennifer. Her offer, the one I had been putting off for a year, was s

yped out a s

fer still on th

me back almo

hen can yo

hardening with each letter. "I'm