it had been two weeks since that fateful day, since learning how cruel karma could truly be.

to keep, not to keep, to help or not to help, what to do, how to do it, his world was crashing down.

she had been kicked out of her home after her mother discovered the pregnancy test in the trash can.

spitting at her, cursing at her, telling her how she had disgraced the family name.

she was heartbroken, she had nobody to turn to, nobody that would take her in.

and she was too scared to ask him for help.

it had been a week since they had last talked, and neither had made much of a move to try to contact the other, no matter how badly they might need it.

but she needed help.

and he didn't know whether he should give it to her or not.

his father was getting better, getting worse, getting stronger, getting weaker, making life a living hell.

and her staying with him could put her in danger.

he'd never be able to live with himself if his father hurt her, hurt an innocent girl, an innocent girl who was in this mess because of him and his ignorance and-

stop,

breathe,

no.

he found it harder to breathe as he thought about her, those doe-like eyes, that fear on her face, the tears falling down those cheeks.

she didn't deserve such pain, he did.

he did, he did, he did, and it was all his fault and he should pay the price.

he did pay the price.

his father was home, beating him raw before he knew it, his secretary was out of town and unable to keep him distracted, so now he must pay the price.

pain, pain, pain.

he wished he could die.

but this time he knew he would be leaving someone behind.

two someone's.

the sweetest woman, and her child.

his child.

their child.

and in that moment, on the verge of unconsciousness as he gave up trying to fight against his father, letting the man give him as many lashes as was deemed necessary,

he knew what he had to do.