" I said stop it Syd "
Sydney lifted her hands like she was innocent.
“I’m just saying what everyone is thinking.”
“I’m not,” Jake muttered.
Ron sighed. “Sydney, tone.”
“She trapped him,” she said flatly.
" Let’s call it what it is.”
Hadley finally looked up. Her eyes were glassy but steady. “I didn’t trap anyone.”
Sydney tilted her head. “Then explain the timing.”
“Enough,” I snapped.
The room went still.
Ron rubbed his temples. “Options. We need options. Fast.”
Sydney leaned back, crossing her arms. “Fine. Solution? She terminates the pregnancy.”
The words landed like a slap.
Hadley sucked in a breath.
Jake straightened immediately. “Whoa. That’s not..."
“It’s practical,” Sydney said. “Clean. You get the annulment. Career saved. End of story.”
Ron didn’t answer right away. That was worse.
Finally, he said, carefully, “It would… simplify the legal situation.”
I stared at him. “You’re serious?”
“I’m saying it would reduce long-term damage.”
Ron nodded slow. “It’s… practical. The label will cover costs. Therapy. Whatever. No one has to know.”
Jake shrugged. “If that’s what you both want.”
Holland stayed quiet.
Kei spoke then. Calm. Measured. “Cal’s not fit to be a father right now. We all know it. He can barely take care of himself. Abortion’s the kindest thing for everyone...including the kid.”
I felt the words like a slap. Stood up so fast my chair scraped. “Fuck you, Kei.”
He didn’t flinch. “You know I’m right. You’re still drinking every night. Still running from everything. You think you can raise a child?”
“I’m not killing my kid.”
My voice came out rough. Final.
Sydney snorted. “Your kid? You didn’t even want her until five minutes ago. You don’t even know if you want it.”
