Susana entered the house with slow steps, unable to think of what to do next, feeling so defeated, so alone at that moment. Her soul and heart were completely shattered. Placing her purse on the nightstand, she let herself fall onto the bed, sobbing and releasing all the pent-up emotions.
Anger, disappointment, sadness, fear - no one believed in her innocence in that situation, and it seemed no one would support her in what was to come. Andre had been right; it was all her fault for trusting Nicole, a snake in lamb's clothing.
"What's wrong with you lately, my daughter?" Susana's mother entered the room, concerned upon encountering such weeping.
"Everything, Mom," Susana let the words slip out between tears and sobs. "It's like the whole world is against me."
"Nonsense, Susana." Her mother chuckled softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. "With your youth in full bloom, you have the world at your feet."
"Not at my feet..." Susana faced her mother with complete distaste. "Weighing down on my shoulders, that's more like it."
"What is it?" Sighing deeply, Teresa stroked her daughter's beautiful long, golden hair. "You used to be such a lively and optimistic young woman, full of dreams and plans." – She expressed her concern. "Did you see the doctor as I asked you?"
"Yes, I did," Susana met her mother's gaze with apprehension. "Dr. Anibal says I'm fine, he did all sorts of tests and analyses and…"
"You're pregnant, aren't you?" Teresa became serious, studying her daughter's flushed face.
"Oh, Mom!" Susana burst into endless tears again, embracing her mother in search of some comfort, support, affection. "What am I going to do now?"
"Do what thousands of young people around the world do." Teresa sighed. Though this had not been her wish for her daughter at such a young age, she showed understanding and support. "You'll take responsibility for this child who didn't ask to come into this world."
"I don't know... if I'm capable..." Susana faced her mother with nervousness, not yet having told her the whole story.
"Of course, you're capable!" Teresa asserted with conviction. "You're young, strong, and in our family, we never turn our backs on hardship. We're fighters." – Stroking her face gently, she added. "And you won't be alone, my daughter."
"Thank you, Mom, for not judging me." Susana smiled, feeling happier and relieved to have her mother's support at least.
"Ideally, you would be married, but that can be sorted out too." – While caressing her daughter's belly, she added. "Everything will be fine." Teresa smiled, then took Susana's hands, making her get up from the bed. "Now let's get to work." She took a deep breath as she also stood up. "There's a lot to plan." – Trying to reassure Susana with a smile, she added, "But don't worry, despite being young, you and Andre will figure things out."
"What?" Those words drained the color from Susana's face; she stood frozen, staring at her mother for a few seconds. How could she explain Andre would not be part of that family? Worse, how could she admit she didn't know who the father of the child was? Would her mother accept an illegitimate baby, especially when it was revealed she knew not who the father was?
"Now we must act quickly..." – Heading to the door of the room, Teresa spoke thoughtfully. "Arranging the wedding before your belly starts to show is essential." Sighing in frustration and a hint of disappointment, she added, "You know how our neighbors are..." She snorted with disdain. "They're judgmental, and I don't want them gossiping about you behind our backs." – She continued with sorrow, "Especially after your father disappeared."
"Mom... about Andre..." Susana sat back down defeatedly. "There's something more I need to tell you..."
"What is it?" Teresa raised an eyebrow, sensing something she probably wouldn't like to hear. "Don't tell me Andre won't take responsibility."
"No... he's not going to!" Susana declared without hesitation.
"What do you mean, 'not going to'?" Scowling, Teresa looked at her daughter worriedly. – Shaking her head as she almost shouted in exasperation, pacing back and forth. "It's his obligation." – Approaching Susana, she added, "He will take responsibility for this child and marry you. Even if I have to drag him to the church."
"Mom..." Susana stood up, taking her mother's hands; she led her to the edge of the bed, forcing her to sit as well. She knew what she was about to reveal might be a shock, and she didn't want her mother to fall or hurt herself. "Andre..." – She paused ashamedly before adding, "He's not the baby's father."
"What?" Teresa's eyes widened, staring at her daughter as if she had grown a second nose. "What do you mean by that?"
"He has nothing to do with this pregnancy!" Susana reiterated, her apprehension clearly showing; her mother held her in high regard, and she knew the revelation would create some confusion.
"Wait... let me understand this." Teresa took a deep breath before looking at her daughter calmly and attentively. "Are you saying you had your first sexual encounter with another man? Not with your boyfriend of two years, with whom you planned to marry?"
"Yes." The ache in Susana's heart appeared the moment she saw the disbelief and disappointment in her mother’s voice.
"But how?" Disbelieving, Teresa scrutinized her daughter's entire body. "What were you thinking?" – Rising from the bed, Teresa, at a loss for words, paced back and forth, trying to think of something to help her daughter's situation. Stopping abruptly, she fixed her gaze on Susana. "Do I know him? Have you told him?"
"No and no!" Susana replied, casting her eyes down to her hands.
"But what are you waiting for, my daughter?" – Teresa sat back down, facing Susana, and spoke authoritatively. "Arrange a meeting with him here at home, so we can get to know him better and sort things out."
"I can't, Mom…" Susana broke down into tears again, the stress of the situation itself and the pressure was too much to bear.
"Why not, Susana?" Teresa grumbled impatiently. "He has responsibilities."
"I know that!!!" Susana yelled, facing her mother. "But how can I tell, when I don’t even know... who he is!!!"
In a matter of seconds, Teresa's expression of irritation changed to shock, and in that moment, Susana realized, with great sorrow, that their relationship would never be the same again.
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