THE NEWS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
In late February, Grace felt strange—exhausted beyond her usual limits and queasy in a way that couldn't be ignored. She assumed it was her illness progressing until a routine visit to her oncologist revealed something shocking.
"Grace," Dr. Whitman said, his tone cautious, "you're pregnant."
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Grace stared at him, her mouth opening and closing in disbelief. "That's… not possible," she stammered.
"It's rare," Dr. Whitman admitted, "especially given the toll your body has already taken. But it's happening. Grace, this is incredibly high risk—for both you and the baby."
Grace barely registered the rest of his words. Pregnant. The word echoed in her mind. A part of Ethan and her. A life growing inside her.
But then Dr. Whitman's voice cut through her thoughts. "Grace, I need to be clear. Carrying this pregnancy to term could significantly shorten your time."
That evening, Grace sat in her apartment, Ethan beside her. She could barely look at him as she spoke.
"I'm pregnant," she blurted out.
Ethan froze, his eyes widening. "You're what?"
She nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I know it's crazy. I didn't think it was possible, but it's true."
Ethan's expression shifted from shock to joy, a smile breaking across his face. "Grace, that's incredible—"
"No, it's not," she interrupted, her voice cracking. "Ethan, the doctors… they said if I keep it, it'll cut my time even shorter. Maybe months. Maybe weeks."
The joy on Ethan's face faltered, replaced by a mix of fear and heartbreak. "What do they recommend?"
"They think I should terminate," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But I don't think I can do that."
Ethan reached for her hands, his grip firm. "Grace, I need you to think about this. I can't lose you sooner than I have to."
Her heart broke at the pain in his voice, but she shook her head. "This baby is a part of us, Ethan. I don't know how much time I have, but I know this—if there's one thing I can leave behind in this world, it's this child."