20th of February, 2007
Alexander's POV
I don't understand… how do I explain to my late husband that Alex has brought disgrace to our home? If I had known, I would have waited until she turned eighteen before sending her to the university.
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"Alex! Alex!" Mrs. Alexander shouted.
"I'm coming, Mother," Alex replied.
"I called you because you're either going to tell me the truth… or I'll disown you. Pick one," Mrs. Alexander said in a calm but firm tone.
"I'll tell you the truth, Mom." Alex lowered her gaze, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I'm pregnant… and the father of my baby tried to get rid of me."
Mrs. Alexander sighed deeply. "Crying won't help, so tell me — what do you want to do? Do you want to keep the baby and continue your studies, or… get rid of it?"
---
Alex's POV
"Mom, you can't be serious. So, if I choose to give birth to this child… you'll still support my education, right?"
Mrs. Alexander crossed her arms. "Is that your final decision? Once you choose this path, there's no turning back."
Before Alex could answer, her mother said, "Go get dressed. We're going to the hospital."
---
At the hospital, Mrs. Alexander's coworker looked at her nervously.
"Mrs. Alexander, your daughter is two weeks pregnant. Are you really going to let her keep the baby?"
Mrs. Alexander replied tiredly, "Since she's chosen this path, who am I to stop her?"
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4th of October, 2007
"Will you stop stressing yourself?" Mrs. Alexander said, shaking her head. "You know you're due already. What are your plans once you give birth?"
Alex smiled weakly. "Hmm, good question. I plan on leaving the babies with you for four or five years, just to continue my studies. That's all I've planned so far."
"Aigoo, are you out of your mind?" her mother exclaimed, then sighed. "Fine… but after your studies, what's next?"
"Mother, worry not. Leave everything to me," Alex said with a small smile.
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Alex's POV
17th of October, 2007
"Congratulations, girl! Finally, I'm an aunty!" Ella cheered happily.
Alex smiled faintly. "When you see my mom, give her the girls."
Ella blinked. "Where are you off to, Alex?"
"I can't face them, Ella. I don't feel like seeing them in this state. How do I tell them the eighteen-year-old standing in front of them is their mother? How do I explain that I gave birth to them? Tell Mom I'll be back."
"Alex! Alex!" Ella called out, but Alex was already gone.
She disappeared without a trace.
When Ella arrived at Alex's home, Mrs. Alexander rushed outside, expecting to see her daughter.
To her surprise, only Ella stood there — holding two baby girls.
"Ella, where is Alex? I'm asking you a question!" Mrs. Alexander demanded, seeing tears in Ella's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Aunt… I couldn't stop her."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Alex said to tell you she'll be back."
Mrs. Alexander stood speechless, then quietly took her granddaughters into her arms and invited Ella inside.
---
17th of October, 2012
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!"
Mrs. Alexander sang joyfully as the twins laughed, clapping their hands.
"Come on, make a wish and blow your candles!" she said with a wide smile.
"Let's take pictures and send them to your mom," she added softly.
.....................................
As Mrs. Alexander watched the twins laugh and blow out their candles, a faint ache tugged at her chest.
Five years had passed, yet there was still no word from Alex.
Not a single letter. Not a call. Only the promise she left behind — "Tell Mom I'll be back."
Every year, Mrs. Alexander told the children the same story — that their mother was far away, working hard to give them a better life.
But deep down, she feared the truth: maybe Alex wasn't coming back.
Still, she smiled for them, hiding her pain behind laughter.
"Your mom will be so proud when she sees these pictures," she whispered as the camera flashed.
And for a moment, in that quiet room filled with cake crumbs and birthday candles, she prayed —
"Alex, wherever you are, please come home."