se

ents feeling like lead in my hands. The elevator doors s

i

elicate gold bracelet glittering on her wrist. She held a wicker basket, from which

ght, airy. "I've been looking for you everywhere. Grayson was so w

frame. "What do you want, Kira?" I as

very concerned about you. And his family... they sent some soup. For the baby." She gestured with the basket, a picture of solicit

lipped. "And I don't need his family's char

and brimming with fake tears, looked up at me. "Elyse, how can you be so cruel? You know Grayson and I are jus

have him. In fact, you already do. And don't worry, Kira. I'm divorcing him. So

hild needs a father. And Grayson... he desperately wants a child." She paused, her voice taking on a softer, mo

n, began to form in my mind. My voice was barely a whisper. "What are you saying, Kira?"

nderstand! I just... I feel so sorry for the baby. If only I were stronger, then perh

arity: Kira's infertility, my dimples, Grayson's obsession with an heir, his refusal to divorce me, his t

This was pure revulsion. My vision swam. All the strings that held

slapped her across the face with all my might. The sound cracked in the quiet hallway. Immedi

aining her expensive white dress, turning it a muddy red. Sh

voice raw with fury. "Tell him he will never get t

hatred, her eyes burning. "You think you can fight us, Elyse? Y

ed, my voice shaking but fi

tantrum, then turned and fled,

at plastering my hair to my face. Tears streamed down my face, hot and agonizing. Fear, cold and insidious, wrapp

only treasure I had left. My anchor in this sea of betrayal

gasped, clutching my belly. My baby stirr

ed, tears blurring my vision. "I prom

haunted. My dimples, once a source of joy, now felt like a curse. If the baby wasn't here