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Chapter Four: Shattered heart

ARTEMIS POV

I was numb.

I didn’t know how I made it home after meeting with Jamie. His words felt like daggers were driven inside my heart.

Every step felt like I was moving through quicksand, the world around me was a blur of indifferent colors and sounds.

I had hoped... no, I needed him to care, but all he did was rip my heart into shreds.

He didn’t care. He never did. I was just some cheap fuck he needed to release his sexual tension.

What did I really anticipate from a brief encounter? The responsibility was mine, and I was aware of it.

Upon entering my room, I collapsed onto my bed, wrapping myself in a tight ball.

I tried to muffle my sobs by pressing my face into the pillow, but it didn't work.

The tears flowed quickly and intensely, streaming out as if they would never cease.

The occurrences of the day raced through my mind, leaving me unable to catch my breath.

I clutched my stomach, anticipating the growth of a new life, but it felt more like a weight than a gift.

How can I be expected to look after a baby if I can't even take care of myself?

My thoughts ventured into increasingly darker spaces.

I had no one.

No one to talk to, no one who would understand.

I didn’t dare tell my dad. He was already hanging by a thread, barely holding it together after Mom died.

This would destroy him. He couldn’t handle this kind of news.

I wiped my face with trembling hands, trying to steady my breathing, and then one name flashed in my mind.

Alice.

She was my closest companion, the sole individual who had consistently been by my side.

She would understand. She had to do it. I nervously grabbed my phone, scrolled through my contacts, and felt my heart race at the sight of her name.

I anxiously chewed my nails while hitting the call button and anticipating the phone to ring.

Every moment seemed endless, and I could sense my worry rising in my throat. What would happen if she didn't respond? What if she was unable to assist?

"Is anyone there?" Alice's voice finally became audible.

"Alice..."

She began to speak and describe things. Emotions caused my voice to crack.

I will provide a rephrased version of the text using the same input language and keeping the same number of words. Could you please provide me with the specific text that needs to be paraphrased? "I am unsure of what action to take."

"Can you tell me what happened?" She had a gentler voice.

Tears were falling down my face as I whispered, "I'm expecting a baby."

Jamie... he is indifferent. He nearly chuckled at me, and... I am unsure of what actions to take. My father... I am unable to inform him. Alice, he will murder me. I am very afraid."

The line was met with silence on the other side. I stood by, my heart racing, anticipating comfort and support.

No matter what it is.

However, all that reached my ears was a lengthy exhalation.

"Alice, are you there?" "I inquired, my voice shaking."

"Starting with 'Artemis,' she spoke with a colder tone than I had ever heard."

"I'm sorry for your predicament, but please know that I can't help you."

I experienced a feeling of dread in my stomach.

"What... what are you trying to say?" You are my best friend. I require you, Alice—"

Artemis, I have my own set of issues. I can't afford to support you at the moment.

"Your mistakes will not bring me down."

The impact of her words felt like a punch, leaving me stunned as I gazed at my phone.

"Blood-sucking worm?" I spoke in a low voice. "Do you... do you believe I am attempting to mooch off of you?"

She didn't respond at all. The call ended abruptly, leaving me surrounded by eerie silence.

I remained motionless, feeling no sensation, as the phone slipped from my hand.

Alice, my closest companion whom I believed would always support me, has now betrayed me.

I was unable to catch my breath.

I was overwhelmed by the feeling that the walls were enclosing around me once more, suffocating me on all sides.

My room's door burst open loudly, making my heart race as I jumped in surprise.

It was Dad.

His face was twisted in anger, the strong stench of alcohol filling the room as he stepped inside.

He had been drinking again. This was his routine after mom died and most time I suffered a lot of beating because of his inability to hold his alcohol. As if it was my fault.

I gagged with a hand over my mouth, the nausea rising in my throat.

He must have heard everything.

Of course, he did.

“What the hell is this?” He lashed out in anger.

“You are pregnant? After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me?”

“Dad, I—”

I attempted to clarify, attempted to convey that it wasn't as he perceived, but he refused to heed.

"Have you been engaging in sexual activities with men in exchange for payment?"

"All the effort, investing in your education, providing you with opportunities for the future - and you end up wasting it all!" Now his loud voice filled the room, causing me to tremble.

"You have embarrassed this family!"

He seized my arm, pulling me up, causing me to cry out in agony as he pulled me across the room.

I tried to escape, but he held me tightly, making my heart beat faster.

"Father, I'm asking you to cease!" I pleaded, but he refused.

He was too intoxicated and furious, beyond reach.

His hand descended and caressed my face.

I dropped to the ground, with the taste of blood in my mouth.

Artemis, you are simply a shameful disappointment. "Absolutely nothing!" He repeatedly kicked me.

My cries reverberated in the house, pleading for salvation, yet no one arrived to assist me.

Tears streamed down my face as I huddled into a fetal position, experiencing the agony of the punches.

The feeling of blood dripping down my face was strong, but the emotional pain was greater than the physical pain.

I held onto my stomach tightly, safeguarding my growing child.

"Is this how you show appreciation for all that I sacrificed for you?"

"Why do I even care? I'm not even your dad," he snapped, and I stood still.

"No daughter of mine is a cheap slut like you."

What?

"Dad, what do you mean," I muttered, still in shock, but I grabbed his feet so he wouldn't leave me.

"My wife adopted you because she wanted kids and I couldn't give her. Every day when I look at you, all I see is my dysfunction."

"You disgust me." He spat again, shaking me off.

"Dad...please don't leave me." I pleaded, tasting the blood in my mouth as it sipped out.

Then he left me crumpled on the floor, my mind spinning.

Not my father?

What did that even mean?

My chest felt tight like I couldn’t get enough air, and I could barely process what he had just said before he threw me out of the house.

My clothes, my things, everything were scattered on the street, and the door slammed behind me.

I stood there, bleeding, broken, and utterly alone.

Who was I? What was I?

I was completely lost, more lost than I had ever been before in my whole life.

I was lost, unsure of where to go or who to seek help from. Alice left me.

My father is not, the man who raised me had disowned me.

I wandered aimlessly down the streets, my thoughts consumed by a storm of anguish and bewilderment.

In the end, I ended up at the roadside, gazing at the cars driving by.

Maybe this was the only way out of this. To end everything because my heart and body felt so broken.

This was the one way. The only form of release.

Upon entering the street, darkness enveloped everything.

All of a sudden, there was a screech of tires, followed by a blinding light, and then the collision occurred.

The globe rotated and a sudden surge of pain came next, then quietness.

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