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Tessa's eyes flew open. The ceiling above her was unfamiliar, and the bed beneath her felt stiff, cold, and uncomfortable. A strange medicinal scent clung to the air, making her stomach turn. Turning her head, she saw her parents sitting beside her—her father's expression unreadable, her mother's face tight with something sharper than worry: anger.
"What happened to me?" Tessa asked, her voice weak.
Her parents exchanged glances but said nothing.
Instead, her father's voice cut through the silence. "Tess… who's the guy?"
"The guy?" she repeated, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me," her mother snapped, folding her arms. Her voice dripped with contempt. "You see, she's—"
"Jennifer," her father murmured, trying to calm her, but her mother shook him off and hurled a sheet of paper onto Tessa's lap.
Tessa picked it up, her eyes scanning the bold black letters. Her chest tightened, her heart racing so fast it felt like it might burst. Positive.
Her lips parted. "This has to be a mistake," she stammered, a small laugh escaping her throat. "I'm a virgin. This—this is impossible."
"Impossible?" her mother's voice rose to a shriek. "You've brought me shame! Running wild before you've even graduated? Now something is growing inside you—how could you?"
"Mom, listen!" Tessa's eyes burned with tears. "I told you, I've never been with anyone. Maybe it's an error. I swear, I am still a virgin."
But her mother wasn't listening. "You've let me down. After everything I sacrificed—fighting for custody, raising you alone—you repay me like this?" Her voice cracked, heavy with wounded pride and betrayal.
"Mom, it's not what you think!"
The sharp sting across Tessa's cheek stopped her words cold. She gasped, stunned, a crystal tear sliding down her face as she stared at her mother in disbelief.
"Jennifer, enough!" her father barked, catching his wife's wrist before she could strike again. "Why would you hit her?"
"Why?" Her mother's voice broke into bitter laughter. "Because you ruined her. You spoiled her. This is all your fault!"
"You dare blame me?" he shot back, his own voice rising for the first time. "You fought for custody when you couldn't handle her. And now—now you say she's ruined?"
Tessa's tears spilled freely. Her parents hadn't fought in years, and now they were tearing into each other—because of her.
Before anyone could speak again, the door creaked open. Tessa's grandmother and aunt walked in, their faces grim.
"You see, Jennifer? Didn't I warn you? Giving her this child was a mistake," her grandmother said coldly, glaring at her. "And now she's brought shame to this family."
Tessa rolled her eyes through her tears. Of course her grandmother would turn this into ammunition.
"Mother, enough!" Davis snapped. "This is between us. Stay out of it."
"Oh, I'm not family now?" she scoffed, storming out.
Silence fell heavy until her father slammed his fist on the table. "Tessa. Tell me who the father is."
Her chest ached. "Dad… I don't know. I told you—I've never—"
"That's worse!" he roared. "You don't even know the father of your own child?!"
Tessa broke, curling into herself, rocking on the bed as sobs wracked her chest. No one believed her. Not even her father.
"Where were you last week?" her mother pressed.
"At school, Mom. You know I was," she whispered.
"Stop lying!" her father shouted, his voice thundering. It was the first time he'd ever yelled at her, and the sound of it cut deeper than any slap.
"Say something, Tessa! Who is he?" her mother demanded. "We need to know so he can take responsibility."
"And we'll need more tests," her father added grimly. "To make sure you're not infected."
Her hands shot to her head, clutching her hair. "Stop it!" she screamed. "Just stop!"
The room froze.
"I need time. Leave me alone," she whispered hoarsely.
Her father hesitated, then stood. Her mother muttered something under her breath but followed him out.
Alone at last, Tessa buried her face into her knees. Pregnant? How? She was a virgin. Unless… unless this was something else.
"Am I… a virgin Mary?" she muttered bitterly, her voice trembling.
Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. She almost ignored it until she saw the name flashing on the screen.
"Alice," she whispered, answering.
"Tess, come out for a sec," Alice's cheerful voice came through.
Minutes later, Tessa stepped outside, her chest still tight, and spotted Alice leaning against a pink Ferrari.
Without thinking, she climbed in.
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