. He looked anxious, his eyes flitting between me and Chloe. He opened his mouth to say

nicured hand on her own flat stomach. "I ha

red back at him, my face completely blank. The architect in me had built a fortress around my heart, and t

-" he s

tanding there in the sterile light of the clinic, thei

a destination. I just needed to move, to put distance between myself

reeched to a

my scream. The other grabbed my arms, his grip like iron. They dragged me into the back of the

gasped, my heart ham

"Our employer thinks you're a problem. An

I asked, even though I

to make it look like an accident. A distraught, pr

cheek. They weren't just trying to scare me. They were

ould destroy my life, they could take m

oug

was no match for them, but I fought with the ferocity of a mother protectin

the side of the van. Stars burst behind my eyes. He hit me agai

ing, tearing pain that stole my breath and my will. I crump

and wet soaked

So much

lutching my stomach.

g compared to the agony in my soul. I could feel my baby, my tiny, perfect chil

. "Looks like t

ing van. I hit the pavement hard, my body a mess of broken pieces. The van s

y last conscious thought a single, silent

ng a plain white gown, and my body ached with a deep, throbbing pain. The cuts and bruises on my arms and

physical void, a hollowed-out space where life

oor o

his face a mas

people looking for you all night. Where the hell did you go? Runni

idn't know. He thought I had j

ed, her face a perfect p

edside. "You mustn't let your emotions get the better

right over the source of my agony

as he looked at her. "See?

was faking, putting on a show for sympathy. He b

t had already shattered, broke into a million more pieces. He stood there, scolding me for being dramatic

-