"Do you think your relationship with Michelle is just a game? Don't you realize she's a good girl?! Her mom even called me, Van! Do you know how embarrassed Mom is?!"
Evan sighed. "Michelle's fine, Mom. There's nothing to make a fuss about."
"Nothing to make a fuss about?! You took someone else's daughter to your apartment, she went missing overnight, and now her family is even more supportive of you! This isn't a scandal you can just ignore, Van!"
Evan fell silent.
"Listen," his mom continued sharply, "If you're really not serious about Michelle, you better end it right now. I don't want you to toy with someone else's feelings."
Evan clenched his jaw. "Mom, Michelle knows where we stand. She's not a victim here."
"That's not the point!" her voice rose. "You've already caused enough scandal with rumors about high school girls and celebrities! I don't want any more drama! And more importantly..."
There was a pause before her tone dropped lower.
"Don't make the same mistake again, Van."
Evan froze.
He knew exactly what she meant.
Raka.
A cold chill ran down his spine, like a bad memory creeping back.
After a moment of silence, his mom spoke more gently. "You understand what I mean, right?"
Evan closed his eyes, trying to steady his mind. "Yes, Mom."
Without waiting for more, the call ended.
Evan stared blankly at his phone screen.
Damn.
Why did everything suddenly get complicated again?
Suddenly, he felt nauseous.
He sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the floor.
Damn.
Last night... he forgot.
That thought dragged him back to the dark memories of 2017 — Ayla, Raka's pregnancy, and the cruel decision he made then. A decision that still haunted him.
His heart raced. He couldn't let it happen again.
His hand reflexively reached for his phone.
Evan: Michelle, do you have time? I need to talk.
Read. But no reply.
Five minutes. Ten minutes.
Until finally, a reply came.
Michelle: I'm still home. Why?
Evan swallowed hard.
Evan: I'm coming to get you now.
Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed his car keys and left the apartment.
He had to make sure.
He wouldn't repeat the same mistake.
Half an hour later, Evan arrived in front of Michelle's house.
As Michelle came out, Evan immediately opened the car door without saying much. Michelle raised an eyebrow, clearly confused by the serious look on his face.
"What's going on?" she asked as she sat in the passenger seat.
Evan started the engine, looked straight ahead, then said, "We need to talk."
Michelle was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.
Evan drove to a fairly quiet café, making sure they could talk without interruption. After ordering coffee, he took a deep breath and looked at Michelle seriously.
"Did you realize last night... we didn't use protection?"
Michelle immediately choked on her drink. Her eyes widened, and her face flushed slightly. "Evan! Why are you only saying this now?!"
Evan rubbed his face. "Because it just occurred to me. And I don't want anything... anything that shouldn't happen."
Michelle still looked shocked but tried to think clearly. "What should I do?"
"We'll go to the pharmacy," Evan said quickly. "If you want, we can get the emergency pill."
Michelle bit her lip. There was a hint of disappointment in her eyes, but she knew this was a conversation they had to have.
"Evan... are you afraid I'm pregnant?"
Evan was silent. He couldn't lie. "Yes."
Michelle stared at him for a long moment. "If I really am, what will you do?"
That question hit Evan harder than he expected.
Damn.
Why did that question feel so much heavier than just buying emergency pills?
Michelle looked down, biting her lower lip, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
"So, if I'm pregnant, you'll tell me to abort?" she whispered softly.
Evan was stunned. His chest felt tight.
"Michelle, that's not what I meant."
"Then what do you mean?" Michelle looked at him, tears gathering but not falling yet. "I know we're not ready, but you immediately thought about making me take that pill? Without asking me first?"
Evan swallowed. He wiped his face, feeling trapped between guilt and fear.
"I just don't want this to be something we regret later," he said softly.
Michelle gave a bitter little laugh. "We?" She pointed at herself. "Or you?"
Evan was silent.
Michelle took a deep breath, wiped her tears before they could fall, then stood up.
"I need time to think," she said briefly and walked out of the café.
Evan stayed in his seat, watching Michelle's back as she walked away.
Damn.
Why was this getting so much more complicated?
He hurried out of the café, searching for Michelle.
His eyes scanned the area. Michelle was not in the parking lot. Not on the sidewalk.
Damn.
He opened his phone, typing quickly.
Evan: Where are you? Let me give you a ride home.
Read. No reply.
Evan growled softly. He got into his car, started the engine, and began driving. He tried to guess where Michelle might be going.
Home? Campus? Or…
His thoughts froze when he saw a familiar figure in the distance. Michelle, sitting alone on a bus stop bench, head bowed.
Evan pulled over. He got out, walked over, and stood in front of Michelle.
"I'll take you home," he said softly.
Michelle didn't answer immediately. Her eyes were still puffy, but she looked at Evan with a hard-to-read expression.
Then, in a quiet voice, she asked:
"If I'm pregnant, will you leave me?"
Evan was silent.
The air between them felt heavy. He knew the answer he gave could change everything.
He took a deep breath and looked at Michelle still sitting on the bench. Her eyes glistened, but she waited for his answer.
"I won't leave you," Evan finally said, his voice softer than he intended. "I'm just... scared."
Michelle blinked. "Scared?"
Evan nodded and sat beside her. "I made a big mistake before. And I don't want it to happen again."
Michelle was silent for a moment before cautiously asking, "What mistake?"
Evan gripped his own hands, feeling awkward. This wasn't something he wanted to tell. But after seeing Michelle's expression earlier, his heart felt heavier if he stayed silent.
"Back in 2017, there was a girl who got pregnant with my child," he finally said. "I wasn't ready. I panicked. I told her to..."
Evan couldn't continue. Just remembering it made him sick of himself.
Michelle didn't respond right away, but her grip on her knee tightened.
"You told her to have an abortion?" she whispered.
Evan looked down. "Yes."
Michelle sobbed softly.
"So that's why you immediately thought about buying emergency pills?" she asked in a trembling voice.
Evan looked up, meeting her gaze. Michelle shook her head slowly.
"I don't know what to say, Evan." Tears finally fell from her eyes. "I thought if something happened... you'd be ready to face the consequences."
Evan wanted to defend himself. Wanted to say he wouldn't repeat the same mistake. But after what he did in the past, could his words still be trusted?
Michelle stood up, wiped her tears.
"I'll go home by myself," she said softly. "I need time, Evan."
Evan could only watch as Michelle walked away, leaving him at the bus stop.
Evan sat frozen on the bench, watching Michelle's retreating back.
Damn.
Why was this so much more complicated than he imagined?
He should have handled it better, not made Michelle cry and leave just like that.
Evan hurried to his feet and chased after her.
"Michelle, wait!"
Michelle stopped but didn't turn around.
"I know I was wrong," Evan's voice was softer now but clear. "I won't run from my responsibility. I'm just afraid of losing you."
Michelle took a deep breath, then slowly turned. Her eyes were still wet but showed a bit of softness.
"If I'm pregnant, I don't want you here just because of responsibility."
Evan looked at her. "I'm here because I want to be with you, Chel. Not just because of responsibility. I'm still learning to be a better person, and I need you for that."
Michelle was silent for a few seconds.
Then, without a word, she came closer and hugged Evan.
Evan returned the hug, feeling Michelle's body still trembling slightly.
Okay. At least, this wasn't over yet.
After taking Michelle home, Evan returned to his apartment. He lay down on the sofa, staring at the ceiling with his mind full.
All of this was out of his plan.