An unexpected pregnancy can test the bonds we hold dear, challenging and changing families in ways we do not expect. This is a 3-part mini series on a family thrown into turmoil when seventeen-year-old Hana announces her unexpected pregnancy. Series 1 is told from a sibling's point of view, Series 2 - a mother's perspective and Series 3 - a father's perspective to highlight the complexity of love, disappointment and the struggle to understand one another through difficult decisions. Read Series 2: A Mother's Breakdown
Series 3: A Father's Anger
Part 1: Deflecting Responsibility
When Hana told me she was pregnant, it felt like my world crumbled. My daughter—my
little girl—had made a choice I couldn’t understand, couldn’t accept. It wasn’t supposed
to be like this.
I had always believed in giving her the best. We worked so hard to make sure she had
opportunities, so that she could have a future. And now, all of that seemed meaningless.
She had thrown away everything.
I couldn’t look at her. Every time I tried, the anger would swell inside me. How could you
do this?
I was not going to bear the consequences of her actions. I had done what I could as a
good father, working hard and providing for this family. Was it not enough?
Part 2: Making A Decision
If it were up to me, I’d say abort the baby. We didn’t have the means to raise a child
and why should we have to suffer for Hana’s mistake?
I didn’t want a baby in this house. I didn’t want the gossip, the shame, the constant
pressure. Hana wasn’t ready for this—she didn’t even understand the gravity of what
she was about to face. She had no idea what this would cost her and I couldn’t bear the
thought of watching her throw her life away.
The thought of being a grandfather at my age... I couldn’t even entertain it. Hana had to
end this pregnancy. There was no other choice. I wasn’t going to let our family fall apart
over something so senseless.
But the hardest part? Seeing my daughter like this, broken and scared and knowing
there was nothing I could do to undo her mistake. The decision wasn’t mine to make,
but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had no choice.
Part 3: The Escaped Wrath
I couldn’t escape it anymore. The anger, the disappointment—everything I felt had been
building up, festering. I tried to bury it, tried to distract myself with work or anything that
would let me pretend it wasn’t happening. But the truth was there, hanging over us like
a storm cloud.
One evening, I snapped. I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t sit in silence, pretending
this wasn’t destroying me. I pulled Hana aside, away from the others and I let it all out.
The rage, the hurt, the fear.
“How could you do this?” My voice was low, tight with frustration. “After everything
we’ve done for you, after everything we’ve given you... this is what you do? You ruin it
all for a mistake you can’t take back!”
She looked at me, eyes wide, and I could see she was terrified—terrified of my anger,
terrified of what I was going to say next.
But it didn’t stop me. I wasn’t sure what I expected from her—apologies? Regret? I
wanted her to admit how wrong she was, how foolish. Instead, all I saw was fear. Fear
of me, fear of what was coming.
“You don’t get it,” I spat, shaking my head. “This isn’t just your mistake. It’s ours, too.
We all have to pay for this, Hana. And I’m not going to let it ruin our lives.”
For a moment, I could see the fight in her eyes, but it was gone before she could say
anything. She just stared at me, silent, like she was trying to hold herself together.
And then the worst part hit me: I knew I was pushing her away. I wasn’t being the father
I should have been, the father who should have been there for her. But I couldn’t stop
myself. I was so angry, so hurt that I couldn't see beyond my own disappointment.
I had always thought I knew what it meant to be a father, to protect and provide. But
this... this wasn’t part of the plan. And now, I was trapped in a place where I didn’t know
what to do, where everything felt wrong, and I couldn’t find a way to fix it.
But no matter how angry I was, I knew one thing: this wasn’t just about me. It was about
her. And somewhere, deep down, I still cared for her. Even if I didn’t know how to show
it.
Author's Note:
Thank you for reading “Fractured Ties”. Pregnancy can test the bonds we hold most
dear, challenging families in ways we never expect. This story highlights the complexity
of love, disappointment and the struggle to understand one another through difficult
decisions. If you or someone you know is facing an unplanned pregnancy, remember
that family dynamics can shift, but with patience, compassion and open hearts, healing
is possible. Though the path forward may not always be easy, the strength of family lies
in its ability to grow together, even through the hardest moments.
If you or anyone you know is going through an unexpected pregnancy, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 9183 4483. Remember that you're not alone.
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