Chapter 20 Stop! Don't Do It!

Alayna stood at the center of the sweltering bridge, her elongated shadow stretching across the cloudy sidewalk. The midday sun blazed relentlessly, intensifying the weight of her emotional burden.

A gentle breeze danced through her flowing hair with an exquisite grace, yet her gaze remained filled with tension.

The news of her sudden pregnancy crashed down upon her like an overwhelming tidal wave.

It was merely a short while ago when she had entered into a marriage of convenience, without love and responsibility. Her husband, the person she believed would adhere to their agreement, shattered all her expectations.

Frustration consumed her entire being. Alayna felt entrapped within the clutches of an uncontrollable destiny. Despair engulfed her, as her mind desperately searched for answers and elusive solutions.

Her hands trembled as she grabbed her waist, trying to calm the flurry of emotions that continued to roll within her. Her eyes trailed along the bridge, gazing at the abyss below that tempted her to escape from endless problems.

"What should I do now?" Alayna muttered to herself, her voice almost lost in the wind. Her wet eyes continued to stare straight ahead, towards the river flowing fast under the bridge.

Her question hung in the air like an eerie shadow. She felt trapped in a conflict between emotion and logic, between an unpredictable future and an unchangeable past.

Alayna was silent for a moment, her mind was rushing. Her face was pale, and her eyes were wide in deep confusion. Her lips, which were usually smiling, were now tightly pressed, as a reflection of deep confusion.

Her body trembled as she felt an uncontrollable excess of emotions. She felt various waves of feelings colliding within her: fear, anger, and confusion. Also sadness because she felt trapped in an unwanted situation.

"How could this happen?" she muttered in a low voice, more to herself than to anyone. Her voice was full of confusion and disbelief. "I'm not ready for this...not from him."

During the confusion that surrounded her, Alayna felt how those complicated emotions made her heart so heavy. She reflected on how her life seemingly simple and planned well before, had suddenly turned into a labyrinth filled with suffering.

Tears started to leak from Alayna's eyes, and she could feel the tightness in the back of her neck.

Alayna, who previously always appeared confident, independent, and strong, felt her defenses crumbling to smithereens.

In this moment of vulnerability, she no longer recognized herself. She usually could always find a way out of problems, but now, this pregnancy was a big thing for her and it made her feel small.

The strength and calm that had always characterized her had been replaced by deep doubt. She felt trapped in a vortex of feelings that could not be overcome, searching for clues that were lost within herself.

In her frustration, dark thoughts entered her mind. "It feels like life is unfair. I'm tired of all this. I don't want this at all. I have to end it now!"

But another small voice inside her began to cry, trying to reach her from the brink of an irreversible decision. Her mind was torn, haunted by the conflict between deep dissatisfaction and the urge to seek a more positive way out.

She could feel her heart pounding, the inner struggle that struck her so deeply. For her, this was a critical moment that would probably determine the next direction in his life.

"There, in the flowing water, perhaps I can find peace forever," Alayna thought, her eyes fixated on the river flowing peacefully beneath her.

The water seemed so calming, almost inviting him to let go of all the burdens weighing down his shoulders.

Meanwhile, Dafa, who was transfixed by the jazz music flowing from his car, suddenly felt his heart beating fast when his eyes caught Alayna about to climb the side of the towering bridge.

"Oh, God! What is she doing?" Dafa muttered breathlessly.

His eyes couldn't blink when he saw Alayna standing on the bridge with her arms stretched out like an acrobat.

Without hesitation, Dafa immediately acted. He jumped out of his car nimbly and ran towards the middle of the bridge. His voice sounded loud throughout.

"Alayna! Stop! Don't jump!" Dafa's cry created an echo throughout the surroundings, reflecting his deep sense of despair.

He felt that the seconds were going by so slowly, and all that was on his mind was not to let Alayna do something that would endanger herself.

As he reached the middle of the bridge, Dafa could feel the strong wind blowing at a high altitude. Alayna, with an expression mixed between tension and determination, looked down into the deep river. It was as if time had stopped, those seconds felt like forever.

With a racing heart, Dafa tried to ease the tension on Alayna's face.

"Alayna, come down. We can handle this together. Don't make rash decisions that could harm you."

Alayna, although looking hesitant, responded slowly. "Dafa, I just feel trapped in my life decisions. I can't accept the birth of a child I never wanted as a result of a contract marriage!"

Dafa could feel the confusion and despair in Alayna's words. He felt Alayna's feelings were so deep, and his heart was touched.

Dafa knew he had to be calm and patient. He stepped closer and took Alayna's hand gently.

"I understand that this is a very difficult situation, Alayna. But we can find a way out together. We can find the best solution. You are not alone in this struggle."

Alayna's tears flowed freely, streaming down her face in deep despair. In eyes filled with pain, she said in a voice filled with emotion, "There is no other solution! I want to end this all!"

Dafa felt a panic attack hit, creating unbearable tension. He knew that was a critical moment when Alayna couldn't think clearly as she wasn't ready to face the reality of life that was given to her.