"The Girl Slept with Fourteen Years Ago got Pregnant, Miscarried Badly, and Died"

Stan sat at the corner table of the dimly lit café, nursing his coffee as the weight of his past bore down on him. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of freshly baked pastries, creating an inviting atmosphere that stood in stark contrast to his inner turmoil. He hadn't thought about Julia in years, but a chance encounter with an old friend had brought everything rushing back.

Fourteen years ago, Stan was a different man. Young, reckless, and eager to experience life, he had met Julia at a party. She was vibrant, full of life, and her laughter had a way of lighting up the room. They had spent the night together, a blur of passion and connection that seemed fleeting yet profound.

Stan never saw Julia again after that night. Life carried him forward, a relentless current that left little room for reflection. It wasn't until years later that he learned the truth. Julia had gotten pregnant. She had tried to contact him, but he had already moved away, leaving no forwarding address. She faced the pregnancy alone, a young woman grappling with a life-changing event without the support she desperately needed.

The pregnancy had been difficult, complications arising that put both Julia and the baby at risk. Stan's heart clenched as he imagined her, scared and vulnerable, enduring the ordeal alone. He found out from a mutual friend that Julia had miscarried. The miscarriage had been severe, leaving her in a fragile state both physically and emotionally.

Julia's health deteriorated rapidly after the miscarriage. The complications had caused internal damage, leading to infections that her weakened body couldn't fight off. Stan felt a pang of guilt, a deep, gnawing ache that resonated through his entire being. He had been oblivious to her suffering, completely unaware of the life-altering events that had transpired because of one reckless night.

She died a few months later, her body unable to recover from the trauma. The news hit Stan like a tidal wave, drowning him in a sea of regret and sorrow. He had carried on with his life, oblivious to the pain and tragedy that had unfolded in Julia's. Her death was a stark reminder of the consequences of his actions, a haunting specter that lingered in the recesses of his mind.

As he sat in the café, Stan's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Emma, the friend who had unintentionally reopened old wounds. She slid into the seat across from him, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity.

"Stan, you look like you've seen a ghost," she said, her voice gentle but probing.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "In a way, I have. You remember Julia, right?"

Emma nodded slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes. "Yes, I do. I heard about what happened to her. It's tragic."

Stan stared into his coffee, the steam rising in wisps that seemed to echo the memories swirling in his mind. "I never knew. I never knew she got pregnant. I never knew she... she died."

Emma reached out, placing a comforting hand on his. "It's not your fault, Stan. You couldn't have known."

"But I should have," he replied, his voice tinged with anguish. "I should have been there for her. Maybe things would have been different."

Silence enveloped them, a heavy, oppressive silence that spoke volumes. Emma squeezed his hand, offering what little solace she could. "We can't change the past, Stan. But we can honor her memory by living better, by making sure we don't repeat the same mistakes."

Stan nodded, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You're right. I owe her that much."