Anneliese took the plastic bag. Inside was a pregnancy test. Two clear lines were on it.
She looked at Jessica. Jessica had already climbed onto the window seat. She sat there with one hand on her lower stomach. Her expression looked a little blank.
She clearly had not expected this baby. She had not prepared herself for it at all.
Anneliese walked over and sat beside her. She picked up the two cups of juice. She handed one to Jessica with a small smile.
"We still need to welcome this little one who showed up to spend the New Year with us."
Jessica had only allowed herself to think about her own situation after she heard from Jonathan at noon that Anneliese had been saved.
Nishay had taken a nap. Jessica used that break to run out and buy a test. She still felt dazed even now.
She could not believe she was actually pregnant.
She knew very well that she and Zane had no future.
This baby was a complete accident. She was not ready for it. Her heart only felt panic.
She did not know what to do. She felt that this baby should not be born into the world.
She thought the baby would not be welcomed. But the baby was innocent. It was her fault that the baby had already become unwanted before even being born.
But Anneliese's words made her nose sting. Her heart felt a little lighter.
She took the juice. She tapped her glass lightly against Anneliese's. She took a sip before speaking in a rough voice.
"Annie, I…"
Anneliese noticed Jessica's hand shaking around the stem of the glass. She reached out and held her cold fingers. "Jess, do you remember what you told me earlier in the elevator? I felt the same way."
Anneliese leaned over and hugged her. "No matter what you decide to do, I am always here. I will always support you. So we do not need to be scared."
Jessica pressed her face into Anneliese's neck. Her voice sounded very thick when she answered. "Yeah, I know."
She held Anneliese. Her fear faded a little.
Right then, a phone rang.
Anneliese let go. "I think it's your phone."
Jessica was like a sister to her. She would stand with her no matter what.
If Jessica did not want to keep the baby, then Zane needed to know.
Jessica could not carry that pain alone.
An abortion hurts a woman's body. The emotional pain was even worse. It lasted for life. Even if she stayed beside Jessica, she could not take the father's place.
If Zane knew and took part, some of the emotional weight would shift away from Jessica.
He also owed her an answer.
It was better to face the pain now. If he asked her to end the pregnancy without taking responsibility, then Jessica would finally see what kind of man he was.
If she wanted to raise the baby alone, then that would be different.
Anneliese would support her. They had enough to take care of a child.
Jessica understood what Anneliese meant. She took a long breath.

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