The room is quiet.
Only the soft hum of a fan fills the air.
Maria sits on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone.
A message from Isaiah is still open on the screen.
His words are cold.
Distant.
Maria reads them again.
Her eyes slowly fill with tears.
She takes a deep breath.
Isaiah… why are you doing this to me?
She lowers the phone.
For weeks, Isaiah has been acting differently.
He barely calls.
He avoids serious conversations.
And whenever Maria talks about their future, he changes the subject.
Tonight, she finally understands.
Isaiah is trying to leave her.
Maria wipes a tear from her cheek.
You don’t want me anymore.
She looks down, heartbroken.
But then she notices something on the table.
A pregnancy test.
Maria freezes.
Her expression changes.
She reaches for it with trembling hands.
Maria stands alone in front of the mirror.
The pregnancy test rests in her hand.
She looks nervous.
Her breathing becomes heavier.
She slowly looks down.
Two lines.
Maria’s eyes widen.
She stops breathing for a moment.
No…
She stares at the test.
Tears begin rolling down her cheeks.
I’m pregnant.
She places one hand over her stomach.
Her emotions collide.
Fear.
Shock.
And sadness.
Then she whispers the one name she cannot escape.
Isaiah.
Maria sits on the bathroom floor.
She looks at the test again.
This is your baby.
Her voice cracks.
And you were trying to leave me.
She covers her face and cries.
After several moments, Maria wipes her tears.
Her expression slowly changes.
She is no longer helpless.
She is determined.
Sunlight enters through the windows.
Maria sits on the couch.
The pregnancy test is inside a small bag beside her.
Her phone rings.
Isaiah.
Maria stares at his name.
She answers.
Hello.
Maria, we need to talk.
Maria closes her eyes.
She already knows what he wants.
About what?
There is a pause.
About us.
Maria’s heart sinks.
You mean about leaving me?
Isaiah becomes silent.
That silence tells Maria everything.
I knew it.
Maria, I just don’t think this relationship is working anymore.
Maria grips the phone tightly.
You don’t think it’s working?
She laughs bitterly through her tears.
You’ve been trying to get away from me.
I’m sorry.
Sorry doesn’t fix everything, Isaiah.
She looks toward the bag beside her.
Especially now.
What do you mean?
Maria takes a deep breath.
I’m pregnant.
Silence.
Complete silence.
What?
You heard me.
Isaiah struggles to respond.
Maria, are you sure?
I took a test.
Her voice becomes firm.
And I’m not going to let you walk away like nothing happened.
Isaiah says nothing.
Maria ends the call.
Isaiah sits behind the steering wheel.
His phone rests in his hand.
He looks stunned.
Pregnant…
He runs a hand through his hair.
His plan to leave Maria has suddenly become complicated.
He looks through the windshield.
For the first time, Isaiah realizes that his actions have consequences.
Maria sits at a table.
The pregnancy test is in front of her.
She searches for a lawyer on her phone.
She hesitates.
Then she presses CALL.
Hello. I need legal advice.
She listens.
It’s about a pregnancy and the father refusing to take responsibility.
Her expression becomes serious.
Yes. I can come today.
She ends the call.
Maria places the pregnancy test carefully into her bag.
A quiet office.
Legal books line the shelves.
Maria sits across from the lawyer, MR. CARTER.
She places the pregnancy test on his desk.
Mr. Carter looks at it.
Then he looks at Maria.
You said the father is Isaiah?
Yes.
And he’s trying to end the relationship?
Maria nods.
He wants to leave me.
Mr. Carter leans back.
Then we need to make sure you understand your legal options.
Maria takes a deep breath.
I don’t want revenge.
She looks down.
I just want him to take responsibility.
Mr. Carter nods.
That’s exactly what we need to focus on.
The door opens.
Isaiah walks inside.
He looks nervous.
Maria sits across the room.
She doesn’t look at him.
Isaiah sits beside her.
Mr. Carter closes a folder.
Isaiah, Maria has explained the situation.
Isaiah looks at Maria.
I never wanted things to get this complicated.
Maria finally looks at him.
You made them complicated when you decided to leave me.
Isaiah lowers his eyes.
I was scared.
So was I.
She touches her stomach.
But I didn’t run away.
Mr. Carter raises his hand.
Enough.
Both of them become quiet.
This isn’t about who is angry with whom.
He looks directly at Isaiah.
There is a pregnancy involved.
Isaiah shifts uncomfortably.
If you are certain this is your child and you refuse to take responsibility, there will be legal consequences.
Isaiah looks at Maria.
What do you want me to do?
Maria shakes her head.
This isn’t about what I want.
Mr. Carter opens another folder.
Then I’ll make this simple.
Isaiah looks at him.
You have two choices.
The room becomes completely silent.
You marry Maria and take responsibility for your family…
He pauses.
…or you pay $10,000 as part of the settlement we’re demanding.
Isaiah’s eyes widen.
Ten thousand dollars?
That’s correct.
Isaiah stands.
You can’t be serious.
I’m very serious.
Maria watches Isaiah carefully.
This is unbelievable.
What’s unbelievable is walking away from someone after learning she’s carrying your child.
Isaiah looks toward Maria.
She remains silent.
Her eyes are full of disappointment.
Maria, you really want to marry me after everything?
Maria slowly shakes her head.
I don’t want a marriage built on fear.
Isaiah looks confused.
I wanted you to choose me.
She pauses.
But you already made your choice.
Isaiah looks down.
Mr. Carter closes the folder.
So, Isaiah…
He looks directly at him.
What’s it going to be?
Isaiah remains frozen.
Marriage.
Or ten thousand dollars.
Maria stands.
She picks up her bag.
Before leaving, she looks at Isaiah one last time.
Whatever you choose, remember one thing.
Isaiah looks at her.
This isn’t just about you and me anymore.
She walks toward the door.
Isaiah watches her leave.
The door closes.
He remains standing in silence.
You have a decision to make.
For the first time, he realizes that running away may no longer be an option.