The room felt smaller than it actually was. The air was thick, heavy with a tension that tightened your chest. Aunt Polly and Ada Shelby watched you silently from in front of you as if they could see right through you, as if they already knew something was wrong.

Your leg kept trembling under the table. You tried to stop her by placing your hands on your thighs, but that only made you notice how wet they were with sweat.

You had practiced this. Again and again. In your head, everything sounded clear...even simple. But now...now nothing is coming out.

You took a deep breath, feeling the air barely fill your lungs.

"Well...As you know, Finn and I are friends..."

Ada tilted her head slightly, analyzing your every gesture, while Polly remained motionless, impenetrable.

"Or well...we were," You corrected yourself, looking down. "That changed when...things got complicated."

The silence grew heavier.

Ada narrowed her eyes, understanding even before you finished saying it. Polly, on the other hand, remained motionless, but her expression hardened just a little.

"Did things get complicated?" Polly repeated calmly, but with a sharp tone.

"It wasn't planned...it just happened," you said quickly, feeling the lump in your throat squeeze tighter.

Your fingers intertwine tightly.

"And now...it's gone up even more."

You took a breath, gathering all the courage you had left.

"Maybe you'll kill me...and then my parents too, but..." You raised your gaze, forcing yourself to hold theirs. "I hope they don't kill the child inside me."

The silence was absolute.

Ada inhaled slowly, processing the confession. Polly didn't move at all, but her gaze hardened.

They exchanged a brief, meaningful glance.

"So you're pregnant with Finn Shelby's child," Polly finally said.

You nodded, unable to speak.

"Does he know?" Ada asked gently.

You denied it. "No...not yet."

Polly let out a slight snort through her nose, as if it didn't surprise her in the slightest.

"Of course not," she murmured. "That kid can barely handle his own problems, let alone this."

"Polly..." Ada chided her softly, though without taking her eyes off you. "Don't make her feel worse."

"I don't need to help," Polly replied coldly. "The situation speaks for itself."

You looked down again, feeling the shame burning inside you.

Ada leaned towards you, more understanding. "Look at me."

You obeyed.

"You're not the first woman to go through something like this with a Shelby. And you won't be the last."

Polly did not contradict her.

"The important thing now is what you're going to do...and what Finn will do," Ada continued.

"Don't know," you admitted, your voice breaking. "I don't know how to tell him...or how he'll react."

Polly leaned forward, fixing a steady gaze on you. "Finn will be held responsible. Whether he likes it or not."

"It's not that simple," Ada said cautiously. "It's Finn..."

"It's a Shelby," Polly cut. "And that means something."

The silence returned, less suffocating, but just as serious.

"First we have to tell them," Ada added. "And it's best if he hears it here."

Polly nodded. "Yes...here."

Then she looked directly at you. "And you will be there."

You felt a lurch in your stomach. "I...?"

"You. Because this is yours too." Ada offered you a small, reassuring smile. "You won't be alone."

Even so, the fear was still there. Because you knew that what would come next...would change everything.