Chapter 3
I didn’t sleep all night.
I lay there, scrolling through every photo and video of Eli, over and over, like if I stopped, he’d disappear for good.
The next morning, when Draven told me to go with Maris, my legs nearly gave out.
I staggered.
He caught me instantly. “Liora, what’s wrong? Are you sick?”
Maris shot me a venomous look. Then her face crumpled, tears spilling fast.
“I knew it. She never really forgave me.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll use this child to make it up to her.”
She raised her hand and slammed it toward her stomach.
Draven reacted immediately and grabbed her wrist.
“What are you doing? Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Liora’s forgiven you. Right?”
His eyes flicked to the phone in my hand.
A warning. A threat.
I let out a cold laugh and shoved him away.
“Whatever.”
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His expression darkened, and without another word, he took us to the hospital.
While Maris went in for her prenatal checkup. I sat outside, gripping my phone.
I kept calling my parents. Again and again.
I wanted to tell them I was back. That I was okay,
That they didn’t need to worry anymore,
No one answered.
That familiar dread crept up, tightening around my chest.
After the appointment, Maris sent Draven off to handle the billing.
She sat beside me, glanced at my screen, and smiled.
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It was twisted. Ugly.
“C your parents?”
She tilted her head.
That’s funny. They died in your second year in prison.”
“Couldn’t handle the gossip. One after the other.”
She leaned closer, her voice light.
“What? No one told you?”
My throat locked. I could barely get the words out.
That’s impossible.”
“Draven said I was taking your place. My parents would never have known it was me.”
Maris stroked her still-flat stomach, smug.
“I told them.”
“How else were they supposed to know their daughter was gone?”
“I was just helping them, really.”
A loud ringing filled my ears as everything around me faded.
When I snapped back, my hands were already in her hair.
I dragged her down and slapped her again and again.
She screamed.
“Help! She’s hitting me!”
“She’s jealous because my husband chose me over her!”
Someone spoke up nearby. “Yeah, she’s prégnant. She was right in front of me in line.”
Then it spiraled. Hands shoved me, feet kicked, and I hit the ground hard as my mask was torn off in the chaos.
Someone gasped.
“No wonder she’s so bitter. Look at her face.”
“What a freak.”
By the time Draven came back, I was covered in blood.
Chapter 3
He rushed toward me, panic flashing in his eyes.
But Maris grabbed him, collapsing into his arms.
“Draven, don’t…please,” she sobbed. “If you do, they’ll think I lied.”
“I’ll be fine… but the baby might not be.”
He stopped, just like that, then turned his face away.
I was taken to the police station, charged with disorderly conduct-three days in custody, unless someone posted bail.
Draven looked at me, conflicted.
“Liora… Maris isn’t pressing charges, but she’s terrified. She hasn’t eaten.”
“You should stay here for a few days. You’re used to it anyway.”
“I’ll come get you in three days.”
He reached out, like he wanted to touch my face.
I stepped back.
His hand dropped.
His eyes darkened.
“When you get back, I’ll fix your face myself.”
“Once the baby’s born, I’ll send her away. We’ll start over.”
I didn’t look at him.
After he left, I turned to the officer,
“I want to report a crime.”
Chapter 3
