Built From Broken

Two Lines, One Lie

She hung up before he could say more.

That night, Soraya made a late-night run to CVS, hoodie over her head, anxiety wrapped around her like a second skin. Back home, she stared down another test, heart in her throat.

This one came back negative.

Now she was more confused than before.

Tossing the test on the counter, she sat down, head in her hands. Her phone buzzed—Nyelle texting to check in—but she ignored it. She opened a browser and started looking up OB/GYNs.

Because one test said positive, the other said negative.

And she needed a real answer before her life changed forever.

The next morning....

Soraya sat in the cold waiting room of a small OB/GYN clinic. She didn't even tell Nyelle she was coming. Her hands were clammy, and she kept checking the time, leg bouncing nonstop.

"Soraya Morené?"a nurse called out.

She followed her back, heartbeat steady but quick. The nurse asked the usual questions—last period, birth control, any symptoms.

Soon a soft-spoken Black woman in a white coat stepped in. "Hi, i'm Dr. Ramsey."

Soraya nodded. "Nice to meet you."

"I know it's a lot, but we're gonna do a quick blood test today. It's more accurate than a urine test."

Fifteen minutes passed like molasses.

When the doctor returned, she had a warm smile. "So, your blood test came back negative. You're not pregnant."

Soraya blinked. "Wait.... really?"

"Yes. False positives aren't super common, but they do happen—especially if the test was taken early or expired."

Soraya sank back in her chair. "Wow."

The relief didn't hit all at once. It crept in slowly, like a soft exhale. But beneath it, a strange sense of confusion remained.

"Thank you." she said quietly, sliding her purse over her shoulder.

The sun was setting by the time Soraya pulled her into her apartment complex. She sat there for a second, staring out the windshield, keys still in the ignition. Her head was full, of what could've been, what almost was, and what she hadn't told Kairo yet.

Just as she stepped out, she was his Benz pulling in.

Of course.

He hopped out before the engine fully stopped, hoodie on, chain peeking. "Wassup."

She didn't say anything at first. Just stood there, hand still on the door. He closed the distance quick.

"So?"

She sighed, eyes falling to her fours she was wearing. "I'm not pregnant."

For a second, he didn't say anything. Just blinked. Then a breath of relief left his chest as he pulled her into a loose hug, like he didn't even realize he'd been holding tension in his shoulder.

"You good?" he asked, lips near her temple.

She nodded into his chest. "Yeah. I went to the doctor. It was a false positive."

He kept his arms around her. "You was scared?"

She nodded again, slower this time. "Yeah... but also? I was thinking like.... If I was, what that would even mean for us."

He leaned back just enough to look at her face. "What would it mean?"

She swallowed. "I don't know. I don't wanna do another baby by myself."

He rubbed her back slow, steady. "You wouldn't have to."

"I know." she said. "But still."

They were quiet for a moment. Then she asked it.

"You want kids?"

Kairo didn't even hesitate. "Yeah. With you? Hell yeah."

Her lips twitched at that. "Just not right now?"

He nodded. "Nah, not right now. I wanna be ready-ready. Like.... stable, locked in, peace in my life. No outside shit tryna tear it up."

She looked up at him. "I feel that. I want Sonali to have a little sibling one day. Somebody she close with. But not while i'm still figuring my shit out."

He kissed her forehead. "We gon' get there. And when it's time? I want the whole experience with you. The pregnancy, the cravings, the baby kicking... all that."

Her eyes softened. "I want that too."

He pulled her close again, resting his chin on her head. "So next time we take a test... It'll be on purpose."

She smiled into his hoodie, warmth blooming in her chest. "Deal."