**The Unplanned Consequences**

Six weeks had passed since that fateful evening when Ashley's world had been turned upside down. The memory of her father's stern expression and menacing tone still lingered in her mind, but she had tried to put it behind her, focusing on her daily routine and attempting to make sense of the cryptic warnings he had given her about Matty. However, her life had taken a dramatic turn, one that she had never anticipated. As she sat in her small kitchen, sipping a cup of tea and staring out the window, Ashley's mind wandered to the news she had received that morning. She was pregnant. The realization still felt surreal, like something out of a dream. Ashley had been meticulous about her contraception, but it seemed that she had made a mistake. The thought sent a wave of panic washing over her, and she felt her heart racing as she tried to process the implications. She was only 20 years old, and the idea of being a mother was daunting, to say the least. Ashley's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone buzzing on the counter. She hesitated for a moment before picking it up, her eyes scanning the screen to see a text from Matty. "Hey, I need to talk to you. Can we meet up?" Ashley's heart skipped a beat as she read the message. She had been avoiding Matty since her father's confrontation, unsure of how to react to his presence. But now, with her pregnancy news, she knew she had to face him. As she pondered her response, Ashley's mind kept drifting back to her father. What would he say when he found out about her pregnancy? Would he be supportive, or would he unleash his anger once again? The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and Ashley knew she had to tread carefully. She took a deep breath and began to type out a response to Matty. "Yeah, sure. Let's meet up." Her fingers trembled slightly as she hit send, unsure of what the future held, but knowing that she had to face it head-on. The next few minutes ticked by slowly as Ashley waited for Matty's response. When it came, her heart sank. "I'm outside. I need to see you now." Ashley's instincts told her to be cautious, but she knew she couldn't avoid Matty forever. She grabbed her bag and stepped out into the unknown.