Billie sat on the edge of the hotel bed, her head in her hands, the dull hum of the air conditioning filling the silence around her. Her stomach churned again, and she clenched her teeth, willing herself not to run to the bathroom for what felt like the hundredth time that day. She was exhausted—not just physically, but emotionally. The nausea, the dizziness, the smell of peanut butter making her stomach turn—it all pointed toward something she didn't want to face.

She had always loved peanut butter. It was a comfort food, her go-to snack. But now, just the thought of it sent a wave of queasiness over her, and it scared her. The signs were there, and deep down, she knew.

But she didn't want to know.

Zoe sat beside her, rubbing gentle circles on her back. "You sure you don't want us to call Mars?" Zoe asked cautiously.

"No. Don't call Mars," Billie muttered, her voice strained. She tilted her head back, breathing through the nausea as her best friend watched her with concern. "Under no circumstances do we involve Mars in this—until I'm ready. It's going to pass."

Alex leaned against the doorframe, exchanging a worried look with his brother Nat, who handed Billie a bottle of water. "You've been throwing up all day, Billie. This doesn't seem normal."

"I'll be fine." She unscrewed the cap of the water bottle, sipping slowly. "I just need rest."

Zoe gave her an empathetic look but didn't push further. Billie appreciated that. Right now, the last thing she needed was pressure. The tour wasn't slowing down, and neither was Mars—she was still out in Europe, managing life on the road with Zaine. Billie didn't want to add another weight to her girlfriend's already heavy shoulders.

And there was that gnawing thought Billie couldn't shake: What if she was pregnant?

The very idea made her stomach knot—not just from fear, but guilt. Now was not the time. Mars had so much going on—touring, writing a new album, and, most importantly, raising Zaine. How could Billie possibly drop this on her? It felt selfish.

The next morning, Billie felt better—enough to convince herself that whatever had been bothering her was just food poisoning or some kind of stomach bug. She went through her pre-show routine, pushing thoughts of pregnancy and nausea to the back of her mind. But after the performance, the wave hit her again, stronger this time. She barely made it offstage before she threw up in the nearest trash can.

Her mother, Maggie, was waiting in the green room when Billie stumbled in, pale and shaky. Maggie's brows furrowed with concern. "You okay, babe?"

Billie waved her off, sitting down heavily on the couch. "Why is everyone asking me that?" she grumbled, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

Maggie crossed her arms, her gaze steady. "Because you've been puking like it's a new hobby."

"I'm fine, Mom," Billie muttered, trying to sound convincing.

Maggie wasn't buying it. "How about we call a doctor? Just to be safe."

"No," Billie snapped, sharper than she intended. "I don't need a doctor. I can handle this."

Maggie crouched down beside her, brushing Billie's hair out of her face with gentle fingers. "Sweetheart, I'm your mom. I know when something's off. I just want to help."

Billie sighed, leaning her head back against the couch. "I'll be okay, Mom. I promise. No doctors."

Maggie studied her for a long moment, concern etched in her features, but she didn't push. "Okay, baby. But if it gets worse, we're calling someone. Deal?"

Billie gave a tired nod, grateful that her mother let the subject drop—for now.

But the gnawing feeling only grew.

Later that night, Billie lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing. The reality of her situation pressed down on her like a weight she couldn't escape. She knew she couldn't keep ignoring the signs. Her period was late—by weeks—and the nausea wasn't just a passing illness. She was running out of excuses to convince herself otherwise.

She had always been so careful. How could this have happened now?

Mars was halfway across the world, trying to juggle life on tour with being a parent to Zaine, and Billie couldn't even imagine adding the burden of another child to Mars's plate. The thought of Mars's reaction made her heart ache—would she feel overwhelmed? Trapped? Would she think Billie had been reckless?

Billie's mind went to dark places. She wasn't ready for this. She couldn't be ready. Her career was still in full swing, Mars's life was chaotic enough, and Zaine was already a handful. Another baby wasn't just inconvenient—it felt impossible.

And yet, there was that tiny voice in the back of her mind, whispering that maybe—just maybe—this wasn't a disaster. Maybe Mars would be okay with it. Maybe she'd be happy.

But Billie wasn't ready to take that risk.

She reached for her phone, scrolling through her contacts until she found the number for a nearby clinic. She saved it, her thumb hovering over the call button.

Abortion.

It felt cold and clinical, but practical. It would solve the problem before it could spiral out of control. Before Mars found out.

The thought made her heart twist painfully, but she knew it was an option she had to consider. She wasn't ready to be a mother. Not now. Not like this.

The next morning, Billie woke up feeling just as conflicted as the night before. She moved through her day in a haze, distracted and distant. Even Zoe noticed.

"You good?" Zoe asked as they sat backstage, waiting for soundcheck. "You've been really quiet."

Billie forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Just tired."

Zoe didn't press, but Billie could tell her friend was worried. She appreciated that Zoe gave her space—she wasn't ready to talk about it yet. Maybe she never would be.

Later, after the show, Billie found herself alone in the dressing room, her phone clutched in her hand. She stared at the clinic's number, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to make a decision soon.

Before Mars found out. Before everything changed.

But as much as she tried to convince herself that she was doing the right thing, the thought of keeping Mars in the dark felt like a betrayal. Mars deserved to know.

Didn't she?

Billie closed her eyes, taking a shaky breath. She knew that whatever choice she made, it wouldn't be easy. But one thing was certain—she couldn't hide this forever. One way or another, the truth would come out.

And when it did, everything would change.