THREE MONTHS LATER-
I lowered my head, guilt and confusion weighing me down. I was sobbing uncontrollably, shaking from the inside out.
My world felt shattered.
The sisters at the orphanage surrounded me, their disappointment sharp and piercing as they scolded and questioned me.
"How could you bring shame to us, Mary? How could you? After all we've done for you… how could you!" One of the sisters shouted, and I shivered at her words.
"I will ask you one more time, Mary. And I want a reasonable, honest answer…" Sister Erica trailed off, sighing in frustration. I could see the difficulty in her voice, she hated having to ask again.
"Who… who got you pregnant?" she finally blurted, and more tears escaped me. I couldn't even bring myself to look at her.
My head remained lowered.
"We sent you to school to study! Instead of doing that, you got pregnant? How is this possible? You were a virgin!" Sister Erica's voice cracked as she cried out.
Another sister sneered, mocking, "What if she got pregnant through the Holy Spirit? Maybe Mary's carrying the second Jesus."
"If you don't answer me now, I'll…" Sister Erica started, her anger blazing, but the other sisters rushed to calm her down.
I knew if I didn't speak, she'd really hurt me. I slowly lifted my head, meeting her gaze. Her eyes were sharp with fury, danger practically radiating from them.
"It's… it's Cassius," I whispered.
"Who the hell is that?" they all demanded.
"My… my classmate," I stammered, and their collective gasp made my heart sink.
"Holy Mary!" They crossed themselves in disbelief.
"Your classmate… of all people? You gave yourself to a boy just like you? Are you insane? You've ruined yourself, Mary!" one sister spat.
"Get out of my sight, Mary," Sister Erica muttered, exhausted in her voice.
I collapsed to my knees, sobbing even harder. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
"Please… have mercy on me, Si…"
"Now!" she thundered. I didn't need to be told twice—I ran.
Outside, I jumped into a taxi and gave Cassius' address. My heart pounded, my body trembling with every bump on the road.
I had found out I was pregnant after missing my period. I took a pregnancy test,something I had learned from watching movies and the result had shocked me into silence. I didn't throw the test away, and Sister Erica had discovered it.
I knocked on Cassius' door a second time. When it swung open, his confused expression mirrored my panic. He hadn't been expecting me.
I ran into his arms, collapsing and crying.
"What's wrong?" he asked, guiding me gently to the couch.
I cried harder, letting every emotion spill out. He grew impatient, desperate to know.
"Talk… talk to me," he demanded, holding me tighter.
"They… they chased me away. The sisters at the orphanage… they kicked me out," I managed to say, my voice breaking.
"What? Why?" His brows furrowed, concern and anger flashing across his face.
I choked out the words, "I… I'm… pregnant, Cassius."
His eyes widened, shock and disbelief etched into his features.