No.
No, no, no.
This wasn't happening.
"You can't be serious," Veronica said finally. "What has happened to you, Valentina? Is this my fault?" she continued, the words spilling now, faster, messier. "Is this because Dad is gone? Is this—Val, please, tell me what to do. You cannot seriously have changed that much."
"I cannot have a child, Vee. I'm too young," she continued. "I… what if I turn out like Dad?" Valentina swallowed hard. "He was overwhelmed. Everything just swallowed him whole. And I—I don't even know who I am yet, Vee. I haven't lived at all. I've had one boyfriend. One. For a few weeks." A hollow laugh slipped from her lips. "And then I get pregnant. I am irresponsible. That's what this is. How do I raise a kid when I can barely figure myself out?"
"Val…" Vee breathed. "It's my failure, not yours. I should have helped you better. Seen you better…"
