Page 79 of Penance

“They’ll what, Mercy? They’ll support you. It’s their grandchild too.”

She shakes her head.

“They won’t see it that way. They’ll see the sin. They’ll call my baby a bastard. They’ll say it’s m-my f-fault.”

Her voice breaks, and she covers her face with her hands, the ultrasound photo laying forgotten in my lap.

“I don’t know what to do,” she says again. “I’ll be showing soon, and I won’t be able to hide it anymore.”

I reach over, pry her hands away from her face, and hold them in mine.

Her fingers are ice cold.

Perfect.

“That’s true,” I say, my voice steady, calm.

“They’ll hate me. The church will disown me.”

I sigh, and it’s forced.

“Because you’re not married.”

She nods, sniffling.

“I can fix this.”

She looks at me, confusion etched on her face.

“What?”

“I’ll marry you, Mercy.”

Her eyes widen, shock written all over her face. She tries to pull her hands away but I hold them fast.

“What?” she breathes, disbelief thick in her voice.

Inside, I’m celebrating.

This is it.

I can see my future unfolding.

“I’ll marry you,” I repeat, my voice firm. “If it will make you happy, I’ll do that for you. For your baby.”

I need her to say yes, but I need it to be her choice.

She’s shaking her head, but her protests are weak.

“Draco, we can’t do that.”

“Why not? We’re adults.”

I can see the struggle in her eyes, the battle between her principles and her fear.

I know which one will win.

I know her too well.

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