**Diary Entry**
He was only sixteen when he brought her home—a girl already, undeniably pregnant, a year older than him.
Her name was Emily, and she studied at the same college, though a year ahead. For days, Daniel had noticed the unfamiliar girl huddled in the corner, silently crying. He didn’t miss the faint swell of her belly, the same worn clothes she’d worn for weeks, or the empty, hopeless look in her eyes.
As it turned out, almost everyone knew her story. The grandson of a well-known local figure had dated her, then vanished—supposedly for business in another county. His parents refused to acknowledge her, didn’t want to know her. They’d made that painfully clear. Her own family, terrified of “disgrace,” had kicked her out and retreated to their countryside cottage. Some pitied Emily; others whispered behind her back.
*”She brought it on herself. Should’ve thought with her head!”*
Daniel couldn’t just watch. He weighed everything and finally approached her.
“It won’t be easy, but stop crying. Come home with me. We’ll get married. But I won’t lie—I’m not the type for sweet talk, not with you, not with the baby. I’ll just be there. And I promise, we’ll make it work.”
Emily wiped her tears and looked at him. Just an ordinary lad, nothing fancy. Not the kind of husband she’d dreamed of. But in her state, she had no choice. So she went with him.
His parents were horrified. His mother begged Daniel to reconsider, but he stood firm.
“Mum, don’t worry. I’ve got two grants—the regular and the hardship one. I’ll pick up extra work. We’ll manage.”
“But you wanted to keep studying!”
“So? Dad’s worked at the factory his whole life, you’re at the shop. People get by without university. It’s not the end of the world.”
Emily settled in Daniel’s room. He gave her his bed and took the lumpy fold-out chair. For five days, she was quiet, shadowing him to college and back. Then she snapped.
*”I’ve had enough! Why do your parents glare at me? They don’t like me! And why don’t you spend time with me? Always studying or running off somewhere!”*
Daniel was taken aback.
“Isn’t that normal? Yeah, they don’t like you, but they let you stay. Your own family didn’t. And where are *his* parents? I study because I don’t want to fail. And when I leave, it’s to *work*. I’ve no interest in watching soppy telly with you.”
Emily burst into tears.
*”Why are you so harsh?”*
“I warned you—I don’t lie. Speaking of, when are we filing for the registry office?”
*”I can’t go like this! Buy me a nice dress, high-waisted, so my belly doesn’t show.”*
“Are you serious? We’ll show the pregnancy note—who cares about a dress? I’m saving for a pram and a cot!”
His mother stockpiled valerian drops but slowly adjusted. She even eyed baby clothes. Maybe it wasn’t so terrible. Let them marry—she and his dad would help. But the girl was ungrateful, never satisfied—not with Daniel, not with them, not the cramped flat. Maybe she’d change after the birth.
Emily didn’t. When Daniel came home from the carwash, grimy and exhausted, carrying a scruffy cat, she turned crimson and shrieked.
*”You idiot! Why’d you bring that mangy thing here? Throw it out!”*
“No. She’s expecting. She stays. Warm up my dinner instead.”
*”Fine!”* she screeched. *”Her or me!”*
Daniel frowned. “I live here. I don’t *choose*. She’s my cat now. If you don’t like it, leave. Even my mum never gave me ultimatums. Maybe *you* should stop glaring at everyone.”
Emily sobbed, raged, even grew jealous of the scrawny cat. Where had Daniel seen a belly? But soon enough, it swelled—she *was* expecting.
He was exhausted, but whenever regret crept in, he shoved it aside. They’d manage. The baby would come, Emily would calm down, and the kittens would lift their spirits.
But it didn’t go that way.
Emily’s ex’s grandfather—the influential local—returned from a business trip and found out. He tracked down his grandson, tore into him, and threatened to cut him off unless his great-grandchild was raised in the family.
Emily left college with him that same day, forgetting Daniel entirely. Good thing she had her documents—she’d planned a clinic visit. As for her things? *”They’ll buy me new ones!”* And she’d never set foot in that “dump” of a college again.
Daniel was crushed. Not a word, not a call. He dumped her belongings and sat in the dark, clutching his cat. She understood, pressing close, purring softly.
He helped her deliver the kittens himself, keeping his nervous parents away. He talked to her, soothed her, watched carefully, phone ready to call the vet.
Four healthy kittens. He changed the bedding, set out food and water, checked once more, then collapsed into bed. In the chaos, he’d even forgotten—it was his birthday.
He’d just turned seventeen.
*Lesson learned: Some people walk away without looking back. Others—like a ragged, loyal cat—stay. Choose who deserves your heart.*
