Ava couldn't sleep that night.

Whenever she shut her eyes, she continued to see the ugly face of her mom. Marriage was a sound that was still ringing in her ears, as if it were, a judge delivering a verdict. Her stomach turned, and her chest ached as though it was feeling so tight that she could not breathe.

Morning came too fast.

Marcus walked in, and she was at the kitchen table staring at a cup of tea that had already gone cold.

"Morning," he said gently.

Ava flinched when he said it. She sat up in a jerk and gave a small smile. "Morning."

Marcus paused. He gazed at her forehead in the same way as he did last night. "Did you sleep at all?"

"Yeah, a little," Ava lied.

He pushed a chair up and sat opposite her. "You still don't look okay."

"I said I was fine!" She said so fast as she wrapped her fingers around the mug, which was cold.

Marcus frowned. "Ava..."

She made a breath, attempting to prepare herself. This was it. She was forced to speak something that was believable. Something simple.

"I'm just stressed," she said. "School's been... a lot."

Marcus tilted his head. "School?"

Yeah, yeah, I said to myself. Exam papers, tests, piles and piles. I guess my body just reacted."

She experienced the guilt striking her.

Her throat closed up, and she would be afraid for a moment that she would choke at the lie. She stared at the table lest he remember that she was lying.

Marcus was quiet.

Ava, he said slowly, school stress does not normally cause one to look like a person is about to fall over.

She laughed nervously. "Well, I guess I'm just weak."

"That's not true," he said firmly.

She shrugged. "Maybe I'm just tired."

Marcus sat back in his chair. You see, you can speak to me, you know.

Her chest hurt.

"I know," she said softly. "But really, it's nothing."

Marcus did not immediately respond. He simply stared at her, his face a question that he was not asking.

Ok, ok, he said at length. "If you're sure."

"I am,"Ava said, but her voice shook.

He got on his feet and, as he left the kitchen, looked back. In case the stress becomes acute, promise that you will complain to someone.

She nodded fast. "I promise."

Another lie.

Marcus walked out of the kitchen, but the burden of his worry remained. When he had gone, Ava dropped her head into her hands.

"I am sorry," she said. To him, to herself, to the life inside her.

She had no time to take a breath of relief when her mom entered the room.

The heels of Patricia tap, tap, tapped.

"You're awake," Patricia said.

"Yeah, Mom."

Patricia looked at the tea that had not been drunk. "You didn't eat."

"I'm not hungry."

"You need to eat," Patricia said. You no longer think about yourself alone.

Ava stiffened.

On the counter, Patricia picked up her phone. "I've made a call."

Ava's heart skipped. "A call?"

"Yeah." Patricia didn't look at her. "I called Mark."

The world tilted.

"You did what?" Ava rose so quickly it sounded as though her chair was scraping the floor.

Patricia swung around, her face composed and without expression. He has a right to be aware of what is expected of him.

"Mom, no!" Ava shook. "You can't just-"

"I can, and I did," Patricia said. Responsibility is required in this situation.

Ava's hands trembled. "You didn't even ask me."

Patricia said coldly, There's nothing to ask. "You're pregnant. He's the father. He'll do the right thing."

Ava found she was unable to breathe. "You don't know that."

Patricia's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"

"Nada," Ava said quickly. I only, it is all too fast.

"It is too late, Ava, it is too late," Patricia replied. "Mark is coming over today."

Ava's stomach dropped. "Today?"

"Yeah."

Ava shook her head, becoming panicked. "I'm not ready. I have not even spoken to him decently.

That was something you should have thought of before, Patricia said. I will not allow you to bring a bastard child into the world.

"I did not ask you to," Ava said.

Patricia's face hardened. "Lower your voice."

Ava closed her lips. Her heart beat was sore from pondering.

"When's he coming?" Ava asked quietly.

"This afternoon," Patricia replied. "And you'll be polite. You won't embarrass me."

Patricia walked out of the kitchen after giving her phone back to her. She seemed to have finished the conversation.

Ava stood there, frozen.

Mark.

She had not digested all this herself, and now here she had to encounter him. Explain. Lie. Convince.

Her phone buzzed in her hand.

She looked down at the screen.

A message.

Mark: Your mother tells us that we have to speak.

Her breath caught.

The words were lost in the tears in her eyes.

She sat back into the chair and gazed at the message as though it would fade away in case of prolonged observation.

She heard herself mumbling something horrible in her heart.

This was not her only lie.

And it was soon to become a lot worse.

Ava listened to the doorbell being rung, and her heart sank.

She sat in her room, on a chair by the edge of her bed and was twisting her fingers. Her hands were sweaty, and her heart was beating too wildly. She had been anticipating this, but now that it had come, she would have wished to vanish.

Come down, Patricia called sharply from down the stairs.

Ava shut her eyes for a second. "Be strong," she told herself. "Just get through this."

She got up and walked out of her room. Every step on the staircase was a step into obscurity, as though she were going into something which she could never get out of.

Mark was standing in the living room.

He was not any different; he had his curly hair slightly dishevelled, his hands thrust into his pockets, but he was tense in his face. His eyes spotted Ava at once, and his look was altered by perplexity to surprise.

"What is this about?" Mark asked, his voice tight. "Your mom said it was urgent."

Patricia folded her arms. "You two need to talk. Alone."

Ava's head snapped up. "Mom-"

Patricia put a finger to her lips. "I'll be in the kitchen." She turned to Mark. "Do the right thing."

Then she went away and left the door between the living room and kitchen half open.

The silence that ensued was heavy and uncomplimentary.

Mark stared at Ava. "Okay," he said slowly. "What's going on?"

Ava swallowed hard. Her throat felt dry. "We should sit."

"No," Mark said quickly. "Just tell me."

Her heart beat in her breast. She put her arms around herself as she suddenly felt cold.

"I'm pregnant," she said.

The words hung in the air.

Mark blinked once. Then again. "What?"

I am pregnant, Mark then burst out into a sharp laugh of disbelief. "That's not funny."

"I'm not joking."

The smile faded from his face. "No. No, that's not possible."

Ava looked down at the floor.

Mark took a step closer. "Ava, I haven't seen you in weeks. We broke up."

"I know."

Then how-- He hesitated, and slowly the dawn of knowing came to his eyes. "Wait. Are you serious right now?"

Ava nodded.

Mark passed his fingers through his hair and stamped his feet on the floor. "This doesn't make sense. Why am I only hearing about this now?"

"I was scared," Ava said quietly.

"Scared?" Mark turned to her sharply. "I'm finding out like this? From your mother?"

"I didn't know how to tell you."

Mark stopped pacing. "Whose is it?"

The query came to her like a slap.

Ava's chest tightened. This was the moment. The prevarication she had already given her father and mother now had to be repeated.

"It's yours," she said.

Mark stared at her.

He did not speak a word for a long time. His cheeks were pale, his gaze roaming on her, and trying to find in her something inconsistent.

"Mine?" he repeated slowly.

"Yes."

But we were hardly together, he said. "And you left me."

"I know," Ava said quickly. "But it happened before that. Before everything ended."

Mark shook his head. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I needed time," she whispered.

Mark again laughed, but it was without humour. "Time? Ava, this is a baby. You don't just take time."

I know, I know, I know, she said, breaking her voice. "I know I messed up."

He stopped in front of her. "Are you sure?"

The heart of Ava was beating in her ears. "Yes."

Mark studied her face. "Look at me."

Slowly, she lifted her eyes.

"Don't lie to me," he said. Not about anything, just like this.

I am not lying, she said to herself, and the idea of it showed me upside-down pain.

Mark took a step backwards and sat on the couch with a heavy sigh. He stooped, giving his elbows to his knees.

"This is insane," he muttered. I did not even know that you were unwell or anything.

I did not want anybody to know yet, Ava said.

"So what now?" Mark asked. Your mom called me already,but I had something to do.

Ava's stomach clenched. "She... she wants us to talk."

"That's an understatement."

Ava trembled and brought her hands near. "Mark, please. I need you to understand."

"Understand what?" he snapped. That you are pregnant, and only decided to have me dropped afterwards?

Well, I was not out to hurt you, said Ava. "I just didn't know what to do."

Mark looked up at her. His anger was clear now. Do you not know what this means?

"I do," she whispered. "That's why I'm terrified."

He stood up again. "And you're telling me it's mine."

It is.

Mark searched her face again.  

Why does it look like you want to cry?

"Because I want to," Ava said. Tears filled her eyes. "I'm scared. I do not want it to become something ugly.

Mark's jaw tightened.  

Then you ought to have done that before.

Ava wiped at her eyes.  

"I know. But just now I want you to assist me.

"Help?" Mark repeated.  

"What kind of help?"

She took a shaky breath. 

"I need you not to deny this. Not in public. Not in front of my parents."

Mark stared at her.  

"You want me to pretend?"

"No," she said quickly.  

"I want you to stand by me. At least for now."

"For now?" he echoed.

Yes, "Please. Make no statement that will ruin me," just say nothing.

Mark crossed his arms.  

"You're asking a lot."

I know, she said, and her voice was hardly maintaining itself.  

But deny it, and my life will be ruined.

"That is dramatic," Mark said, but there was a wavering in his voice.

"It's not," Ava said.  

"You don't know my mother."

Mark let out a long breath.  

"This is too much."

Ava stepped closer.  

"Mark, please. I'm begging you."

He stared at her, gazed at her, and there was a change in his face. Not anger. Not kindness. Something uncertain.

"Say it again," he said.

"Say what?"

"That the baby is mine."

Ava wavered only a fraction of a second.

Mark noticed.

His eyes narrowed.  

"Why did you pause?"

"I didn't," Ava said quickly.

"Yes, you did."

She shook her head.  

"I'm just tired."

Mark took a step closer to her. His voice lowered.  

"Ava, look at me."

Her heart was pounding, and she looked him in the eye.

"Swear to me that baby is mine."

Ava opened her mouth.

And the falsehood, big and threatening, lay on her tongue.

The room felt way too quiet.

 Mark stood in front of Ava, and her hands were clenched to the point that she could hardly breathe. The beat of her heart was so loud it was bound to have made him hear it. Mark looked at her eyes fixed in a searching way, all eager to hear her answer.

Swear to me, Mark mumbled, low-pitched. "Swear it's mine."

Ava's lips shook. The truth, clawing to be free, flung itself desperately against her breast in a second. She saw the face of Marcus in her mind; she had wished that night would never have happened. The one within her was developing.

But fear was way louder.

Her chin was slowly raised, and she stared Mark in the eye.

"I swear," Ava said. "The baby's yours."

The words snapped on them like glass.

Mark stared hard, unmoving. His face didn't soften. His shoulders stayed tense. Something black crept in through his eyes--scepticism, bewilderment, perhaps a touch of indignation. You swear, he said to himself.

"Yes," Ava said, nodding fast. "I swear."

Silence stretched out.

Mark averted his gaze and rubbed both hands across his face. Then he walked around the living room, once, twice, like a caged beast. Ava stared, so tight-chested, shallow breathing.

"This is crazy," he said. "This whole thing is crazy."

"I know," Ava replied softly. "But we can handle it. We need time."

Mark stopped and looked back. You know what you are asking me to do, right?

"Yes."

You want me to take responsibility for something that will alter my entire life.

Ava nodded. "I know."

"And if I say no?" he asked.

Ava's throat went tight. "Please don't."

She had choked on the final word.

Mark looked away again. He went up to the window and looked out. His voice was monotonous. "I won't deny it. Not now."

Ava released a sigh that she had no idea she was holding. Her knees felt weak. "Thank you," she whispered. But do not suppose this makes sense to me, Mark said. "Because it doesn't."

Ava lowered her eyes.

"I will not tell them what your mother does not want them to hear," Mark repeated. "That does not imply that I am all right with it."

I know, Ava told her, but her chest was sore.

Mark turned back to her. "Good. Because I have many questions.

Patricia called out in the kitchen before Ava had time to reply. "Are you done talking?"

Mark's jaw tightened. "For now."

Patricia entered the living room with an eye-flitting look between them. "Good. Then we're clear."

Ava was being talked about as an object and not as a person.

Patricia smiled stiffly. Thanks, Mark, you did the right thing.

Mark didn't return the smile. "I'll be leaving now."

Patricia nodded. "We'll talk again soon."

Mark didn't reply. He passed by Ava without saying anything and went to the door. When he arrived at it, he stood still a moment, his hand on the handle.

"I hope you are telling the truth," Ava, he said without turning around.

Then he left.

The door shut.

Ava was standing there with her heart palpitating. She had even sworn a lie, had spoken it aloud. No way back now.

She went up the stairs, closed the door of her room and threw herself on her bed. Sheepishly, her tears swept down her cheeks.

"I am sorry," she kept on telling herself, not even knowing to whom she was apologising to any longer.

Mark, later that night, was sitting in his car holding the steering wheel.

This home he had driven to was one he knew. Bella's place.

He hadn't meant to come there. His feet had merely just delivered him, as usual, when his brain was too active.

With a sunny smile, Bella opened the door. "Mark? What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?" he asked.

She stepped aside. "Sure."

They sat in the living room. Bella followed him with her eyes; the smile on her face died away.

"You look awful," she said. "What's wrong?"

Mark rubbed the  back of his neck with his hand. "I need to tell you something."

Bella straightened. "Okay."

He hesitated. Every word felt heavy.

"Ava's pregnant," he said.

Bella blinked. "Pregnant?"

"Yeah."

There was a pause. Then she laughed softly. "Wow. That's... unexpected."

Mark didn't laugh.

Bella studied his face. "Is it yours?"

Mark's chest tightened. "That's what she says."

Bella raised an eyebrow. "That's not a yes."

It was so, she swore, Mark said hastily.

"And you believe her?" Bella asked.

Mark looked down at his hands. "I don't know."

Bella leaned back a bit. "When did this happen?"

"A while ago," he said. "Before we broke up."

Bella frowned. But you said that you and Ava were hardly together towards the end.

Mark swallowed. "I know."

Bella crossed her arms. "So what now?"

Her mother wants us to behave like a couple, Mark said. "For the baby."

Bella stared. "Act?"

"For now," he said.

Bella stood still a moment and then threw her head back and glanced at him.

Well, Mark, does this seem right to you? she said slowly.

"No," he said.

"Then why agree?"

Mark exhaled sharply. "Otherwise, her life will come apart."

The eyes of Bella turned a little softer. "And what about yours?"

He didn't answer.

Bella rose and took some strides back, reflecting. At which she returned to him with a slight smile.

Oh, you see, that does not make sense, she said.

Mark looked up sharply. "What doesn't?"

"The timing. The story. Everything," Bella said. "Something's off."

Mark's heart sank.

The smile on Bella's face never reached her eyes.

"And I don't think this is over," she added softly.

The doubt Mark had been trying to bury rose fully to the surface.

And for the first time since Ava swore the lie, he wondered if he had just stepped into something much bigger and much darker than he was ready for.