Edwina sat on her bed, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. The room was dimly lit, shadows casting long, eerie shapes on the walls. Her heart pounded with anxiety as she stared at her cousin Martinna's name on the screen. She needed someone to talk to, someone who could help her navigate the mess she was in. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the call button.

"Hey, Edwina! It's been a while," Martinna's cheerful voice came through the speaker, a welcome contrast to Edwina's turmoil.

"Martinna, I need to talk to you," Edwina said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's urgent."

"What's wrong?" Martinna asked, her tone shifting to concern. "You sound really upset."

Edwina took another deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I… I'm pregnant."

There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end of the line. "Pregnant? Oh my God, Edwina! Who's the father? Are you okay?"

"It's Dutch," Edwina confessed, her voice shaking. "He doesn't know. I haven't told him yet."

"Wait, Dutch? Melvina's Dutch?" Martinna's shock was palpable. "You mean the guy she's been seeing? How did this happen?"

Edwina's eyes welled up with tears. "He's been going on dates with her, but he was inside me just last week! It just happened. We were both at a low point, and one thing led to another. He doesn't even know I'm pregnant. I'm only a few weeks along, and he's a man… he wouldn't notice."

Martinna was silent for a moment, processing the news. "Oh, Edwina, this is such a mess. What are you going to do?"

"I don't know," Edwina said, her voice breaking. "I'm so scared. I can't tell him, not now. It would destroy him, and Melvina… she would never forgive me."

Martinna sighed, trying to offer some comfort. "Okay, let's think about this rationally. You have a few options, but none of them are easy."

Edwina listened intently, desperate for some guidance. "What do you think I should do?"

"Option one," Martinna began, "you tell Dutch the truth. It's going to be hard, and it will probably hurt Melvina, but it's better to be honest before things get more complicated."

Edwina shook her head, even though Martinna couldn't see her. "I don't think I can do that. He's so happy with Melvina. I can't ruin that for them."

"Option two," Martinna continued, "you keep the baby a secret and raise it on your own. It's not fair to you or the child, but it's an option if you don't want to disrupt their lives."

"I don't know if I can do that either," Edwina said, her voice filled with despair. "How could I live with myself, knowing that Dutch is the father and he doesn't even know his own child?"

"Then there's option three," Martinna said gently. "You could consider adoption. It would give the baby a chance at a good life, and you wouldn't have to carry this secret forever."

Edwina's heart ached at the thought of giving up her child. "I can't do that either. I already feel a connection to this baby. I want to be a mother, but I just don't know how."

Martinna sighed again, her voice filled with sympathy. "Edwina, there's no easy answer here. You have to do what feels right for you and your baby. But you can't keep this secret forever. At some point, you're going to have to tell Dutch."

"I know," Edwina whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I just don't know how to do it without losing everything."

"Take some time to think about it," Martinna advised. "And remember, you're not alone. I'm here for you, no matter what you decide."

"Thank you, Martinna," Edwina said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Anytime, Edwina," Martinna replied. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself and that little one. And when you're ready, tell Dutch the truth. He deserves to know."

"I will," Edwina promised, her heart heavy with the weight of her secret. "I just need a little more time."

As she hung up the phone, Edwina felt a mixture of relief and dread. She had options, but each one came with its own set of challenges. She knew she couldn't keep her secret forever, but for now, she needed to figure out the best way forward. The storm was still brewing, and Edwina could only hope that when it finally hit, she'd be strong enough to weather it.