The evening air felt heavy as Mary walked home her steps slow and uncertain. The doctor's words still echoed in her head " you're pregnant "
Pregnant
At forty
With his child
Her chest tightened. The road seemed endless each step stirring up memories shed burned deep.
She remembered that night too clearly.
The night of Daniel's home coming party had started laugher and music echoing through the mansion. Mary had moved quietly among the guest refilling glasses clearing plates doing what she always did staying invisible.
Everyone had been drinking and Celebrating Daniel's returning . He was the center of attention his parent proud, his friends cheering him on . But as the night went on Mary noticed him stumble, his smile fading as the alcohol took hold.
Later the house grew quiet and the guest had left . Mary went upstairs to finish her duties. She heard shower running in Daniel's room. His towel had been left behind so she took it planning to leave it by the door she knocked softly and called " sir? You forgot your towel. "
There was no reply on the sound of running water . She hesitated when pushed the door open a little to place the towel inside.
Before she could step away. Daniel emerged shirtless, water still dripping from his hair his eyes met hers unfocused but the intense " Mary " he said his voice low and slurred she frozed " sir I was just..."
Before Mary could react Daniel's hand caught her arm . The towel slipped from her fingers as he pulled her close his breath warm with the scent of wine " Daniel..." she started her voice was barely a whispered.
He look at her with something she couldn't read a mix of loneliness, longing and alcohol fueled boldness. Then kissed her .
Mary froze torn between resistance and the strange ace that had been building inside her for years .
" sir please " she whispered her voice trembling but the space between them had disappeared.
Moment later she found herself pressed gently into the bed. The room was filled with the faint sound of rain topping the window. The dim light flickering across their faces. Everything felt unreal, blurred by emotion and confusion. A night neight of them had planned not truly understood.
The memory faded as quickly as it had come leaving Mary trembling on the roadside.
The night air felt colder now cutting through her thin sweater. She pulled it lightly around her shoulder, trying to steady breathing.
It's has been months since that night. She had tried to forget it but now every detail come rushing back as if it had just happened her chest tightened. She stopped walking the doctor words replaying in her mind " you're pregnant. "
Tears dwelled in her eyes she had kept that secret buried so deep convincing herself it's was just a mistake she could move past but fate seemed had other plans.
How could he face her employer now .hie mother who treated her like family. How could she look at Daniel and pretend nothing had happened.
A bus roaded past, snappier out of her thoughts she wiped her eyes quickly, forcing herself to keep walking.
One thing was clear the life she knew was about to change forever.