andr

low rumble, laced

ria. This... this shou

eside him. His words confirmed the devasta

though, was un

e. Modern medicine is incredible. We can expl

t were a minor inconvenience, somethi

against the wall, a

ne! They had to remove it to save her life! There

followed was he

composure he had maintained shattered, re

or the first time since he walked in. H

uld only be a miscarriage. She said she w

r, laced with disbelief, a de

a harsh, disbe

She wouldn't lift a finger to save you or Alexandria if it did

d, grabbing Barron's

uld happen. She wanted Alexandria

pulling away fr

k to Efrem. A new fear bloomed

oarse. "Does Alexandria know what happened

my feelings, but for his

. Please. Tell

shed, replaced by a de

, though still tight with panic. "Permanently. Every doctor, every nurse who knows the details. Silenc

sorrowful look. He finally let o

. But what's your long-term p

, a single tear tracin

o give her all the children she wants. I swear it, Efrem. I'll find a surr

to cling to some semblance of normalcy, to r

forgiveness with more lie

a silent condemnation, and

ving me alone with the man

s eyes now filled with

closer, then another,

is touch sending a shiver

d once brought me comfort, no

lent gesture of solidarity and love. He used to trace pa

e a viper coilin

ve. Please forgive me. This was a terrible mistake. I never mea

brushing over my skin, a parody

t cold in h

man who had stolen my child, destro

firstborn," flashed in my mind, a cruel

ain, heard his cold, calcul

ss, no redemption for

heart and my future to, had sacrifi

and emotional scars, were irreve

cold, unwavering resolve se

ge, this li

their prestige, their toxic legacy. I would shed their

nasty. I wished them a future as barren and

st leave. Barron

ppear completely

whispered four words that changed