Jenny stood outside his building for half an hour. She too didn’t know what she was waiting for. Was she ready to forgive Jason for how he left her at the Altar? But the realization that she ought to tell him about his child stayed firm.

“Miss Park,” One of the servants came out holding a bag in his hand. Only the act was enough to tell her Jason was there in the apartment. “Your stuff…” But before he could say further she asked him. “Is he here?”

“Mr Wilson has asked you to leave…” And, it was enough for her to yell.

“Shut up! Tell him to man up and look me in the eyes!” Jenny seethed but the guy got away. She looked around to pick a few security cameras and knew he could see her from there. She felt trapped between her heart and self-esteem. She wanted to leave and never look back but her heart was exploding. Only the thought of walking away was haunting her. And, what she was to do with this pregnancy now? She couldn't do this alone. No way in a million years.

She hated the fact she had to contact him again. Because no matter what this baby deserves that his father knows he is here. The tears rolling down her cheeks felt like lava.

She gulped on the painful knot in her throat and started to leave. She walked ahead slowly trying not to think much. It took her quite a time to reach the first crossroad. She stood there for some time aimlessly. Wiping her tear she looked to her left to notice him looking at her out of his car. It seems he was here for some time too. Her left foot moved only slightly before she noticed his glare. There was no love or affection. She stood there looking at him wondering if he had nothing to explain. Balling her fists she walked a little to him when he got his car away.

She bit her lip seeing him going away. It seems she never really knows him. Was he only marrying her for her status? Once it was gone they didn’t have anything? Of course, he was going to think low of her once he learns about her pregnancy. His family and he had every right to believe she got something to strip them of their beloved money.

Hailing for a taxi she got back to her campus. She couldn’t return Stella’s calls but tried for her uncle’s phone several times. She tried for Samantha to learn about her uncle’s whereabouts and she picked on the second ring and was quick to ask. “Where are you, Jenny?” Jenny squeezed her eyes before telling her. “I am at my campus. Where is my uncle? He is not picking up.”

“I have been laid off from my job, honey. It seems your uncle is moving to France.”

“France?” Jenny gasped. Wondering from where France was coming. There was no way he didn’t have planned it earlier. Or he knew about this bankruptcy coming? Was announcing it on her wedding day intentional too?

“Jenny? Are you there?” Jenny blinked a little before pulling her hair back. “Where are you going? Did he pay you? Did he…”

“He has paid us, Jenny,” Samantha replied and Jenny nodded.

“Samantha…stay in contact with me. Ok? And, if you get to have my uncle’s new contact number. Can you please share it?” Her voice started breaking toward the end and Samantha was quick to ask. “I am moving to another place with Stella, Jenny. But you know you can always call me?” Jenny bit her lip hard. She knew she could never trouble Samantha. She was a single mother and tried her best to get Stella into a good college. There was no way she could ask her for any help.

Jenny tried for Jeff’s number hoping he could get her to her uncle somehow. Given her situation since the morning she was expecting him to not receive her call but the moment she heard a “Hello,” she let out her breath, “Jeff, what’s going on? The news is blasting…”

“It seems you have been played, Miss Park. Your uncle has used all of your assets before announcing the bankruptcy.”

“What does it mean?” She asked anxiously.

“The Park enterprise is overtaken by a huge conglomerate. Banks are free to use anything to make up for their losses. Your assets have already been sold…”

“And, what about my uncle? How did he manage to pay the staff or move to France?” Her hands shook terribly. She had a lot of questions. She could use the money to support her unborn child. She couldn't certainly do it without money.

“Miss Park, for you to understand, he had prepared himself for such calamity…"

It didn't make any sense. Jenny was quick to interrupt her lawyer. “Jeff, you said it was safe to do. You said…”

“I said knowing your uncle want to save the company. But it seems he was only preparing to get rid of all the loans at once.” Jenny picked up his tone going off.

“Do you think he did all of it to leave me with nothing?...” Jeff stayed quiet at her question but Jenny had gotten what she wanted. “...Jeff, am I left with anything at all?” Jeff was reluctant to answer this one and though Jenny had braced herself to hear a no when Jeff said, “No,” She couldn’t help but shed a tear before she tighten up her voice. “Fine,… goodbye Jeff,” She cut the call and looked into space aimlessly.

She had never planned to join Park enterprise. But the company had her father’s sweat and long nights. The presence of the company was like a part of her father still living. She signed that document thinking her uncle had the same affection for the company. Somehow she had a strong feeling that her uncle could save the company but chose not to.

Changing her dress she walked into the shower. Her get-up was ruined but so does her life. The creepiness of the people staring at her gets her sobbing but recalling she was pregnant and penniless got the best of her when she cried out loud. It was as if everyone was plotting against her. Never in her life had she found herself this clueless.

She hated how she was still hoping Jason to come and apologize to her when she knew better than to expect anything from a person who left her because she was penniless now.

It’s been two days and she kept herself isolated in her room. Only a few days ago she had everything planned out until her retirement. She was full of dreams and had the whole world in her hands. But knowing it wasn’t going anywhere she attended her classes on the third day. She could feel the eyes on her or whispering at her back. She could feel a huge block of ice in her chest whenever she tried to tough herself up in the face of it all.

It was only in the last lecture that Anna reached her asking. “Is everything fine between you and Jason?...” Jenny kept walking while she continued, “…he deleted his TikTok. Why did you two call off the wedding?” Jenny kept walking and gritted.

“I don’t want to talk about him…” But then she turned to look at Anna’s face and more like told herself. “…ever.”

She was quick to get to the café like in the old times. This job was part-time for her. And, there was no way she could provide for a child through it. It would require a twelve-hour shift here if she wants to support a family. It will also mean leaving her studies. Even then, she couldn’t manage to get a babysitter for twelve hours straight. There was no way she could support a baby.

She had given it a lot of thought. But still, somewhere it felt so wrong. Her eyes were wide all the time. Everyone was of the view she was disturbed because her wedding was called off. She was given the needed space. But the word got out and everyone wanted to see the girl Jason left at the altar. Jiang asked Jenny to move to the kitchen and she too believed it was needed. She was a little edgy and didn’t have any smile to offer to anyone today anyway.

People giving her a hard time was the least of her worries right now. She was devastated knowing she didn’t have anything to offer this child. Only if this moment came a little later in her life. She could do a lot. She would have never thought about it. This child had done nothing wrong to deserve such a fate. While moving to the end of her shifts she got herself alone with her cook, Monica.

Monica who believed Jenny was looking for someone to share a few stuff was taken by surprise when Jenny asked. “Can you pass me the details about the clinic? I am talking about the one you opt for your abortion.”

“You are pregnant?” Monica gasped and Jenny couldn’t hold it anymore.

Monica was quick to hug her and Jenny never felt this low. “You should talk to him.” Monica got her on the last table after they closed the café. After learning the whole ordeal she came up with the sanest advice. 

Jenny sighed wondering how she believed she hadn't thought about this. “And, do what? Ask for the money to raise my child. I am way too better for that. I have thought about it enough, Monica. It's enough of the mess. I don't want to do anything with him.”

“And, killing your baby seems easy? You are going to regret this one all your life. I did it for medical reasons if I had any…”

“You think I got it easy.” Jenny cut her off and was about to get up when Monica suggested.

“What about giving up for adoption? There are many people out there who would want this baby. And, you have nine months to look for the parents you think are right for your baby?”

“I…I don’t think I can do this…” Even the thought of going through these nine months with the realization she wasn’t good enough to bring the baby up herself was a lot to deal with. Monica seemed to get what she was thinking about and offered, “I know it’s not on you, honey. But this soul is innocent. And, I am here to support you. You can trust me.” Jenny looked at Monica realizing she hated this trust word the most.

“I will think about it. Are you giving me the address to the clinic or not?” Monica sighed dejectedly before nodding. “Let me text you,” Jenny felt her phone chime and raised to her feet.

She left the café knowing she won’t let anyone affect her decision. It was easy to talk about it. How could she trust another couple for her baby? No one could love this baby as she could. This baby either deserves a great chance at everything or nothing. Not even the right to live.