Courney stepped out into the night, unable to sleep. She walked towards a garden behind the house, where a lush oak tree stood. Seating herself, as she did every night, on its roots, she poured out her thoughts. The tree became her confidant in times of depression, providing a space to freely express her emotions.

"Here I am again, sharing my sorrows with you. I've finally rid myself of a mental burden that was eating away at me. My weary heart is disheartened by being the cause of my sister's suffering right now." Crystal-clear drops fought to roll down her saddened face, and she ran her hand across her stomach.

"Even though I harbor a feeling of love for you, if I decide to bring this life into the world, I wouldn't want to burden you with the pai n every time you see me, reminding you of one of those men. Or if Cesar learns of your existence, I'm sure he'd take you away with him, and I don't want that life for you. God, help me do what's right."

She lowered her head onto