Page 112 of Unbroken

No answer. I hear a sniff that sets my racing heart to ease, but not fully.

I open the door slowly.

She’s standing in the middle of the room, barefoot on the tile.

Trembling.

She’s holding a plastic stick like it just detonated in her hands.

And my heartstops.

Wait.What?

She looks up, and her lips part.

“It’s positive, Vadka.” And then she’s crying. She blinks, and hot, fat tears roll down her cheeks. She sniffs, and I can’t think straight.

I step forward, and she flinches—not back, but inward, like she’s bracing for me to say something. Something cruel. Or shocked. Or distant.

But I don’t.

I just stare at her.

At the firecracker of a woman I’ve burned for.

At the knife-sharp survivor who’s carried more than any one soul should.

At the girl who never thought she’d get to be anything soft.

And now—she’s carrying a future neither of us planned.

A child.

Ours.

She starts to say something. I can see it bubbling up—an apology, maybe, or a shield disguised as sarcasm, fear, or humor, but I cut her off.

Not with words.

Withmy arms.

I pull her into me. Tight. Fierce. Like she might disappear if I’m not careful. “A baby? My god, Ruthie. You’repregnant, baby?” I hold her so tight she gasps for breath, and I have to let her go a little.

She doesn’t resist, just melts.

Right there in the bathroom, under cold light and warm silence, Ruthie lets go.

Her arms come around me. Her face buries into my chest, and she sobs.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” she whispers, her voice broken.

“I know.” Of course this wasn’t planned.

“I don’t even knowhowit happened. I’m on birth control, but like… I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel?—”

“You don’t have to know,” I murmur. “We’ll figure it out.”

“We’re still being hunted.”

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