Chapter 5
While the operating room doors began to close, William’s frantic voice echoed through the hallway.
“Emberly! Stop! Don’t do this!” His fists. pounded on the door. “Are you crazy? You love our baby–you wanted this baby!”
But his voice grew faint. All I could hear was the sterile hum of machines and the quiet voices of the doctors preparing their instruments.
William was right. I had always wanted this child.
Years ago, when my family went bankrupt, greedy relatives circled like vultures, ready to snatch up our house and money.
Only William came to help me.
We’d grown up together, but we were never close. I begged everyone I could, but only he showed up.
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After that day, I became his girlfriend.
But even then, we never married. “Don’t overthink it,” he’d say. “I don’t love you. I just wanted to help.”
Later, I found out he’d only saved me to spite Lilah.
For five years, William and I were together. For five years, he made me take birth control pills.
It wasn’t until last year that he treated me a little softly, and I secretly stopped taking the pills. When I showed him the pregnancy test, I was terrified he’d get
angry.
But he didn’t. He said, “Keep it.”
I thought I could use this baby to make him.
stay.
But I lost.
He knew how much this baby meant to me. At two months pregnant, I was so sick I couldn’t eat without vomiting, but I
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endured it. I thought my suffering would
earn his love.
But when he threw a divorce party for Lilah, I finally understood.
I was stupid–foolish enough to believe in a man’s promises.
It didn’t matter how much I wanted the baby. It didn’t matter that I was eight months pregnant.
I didn’t want this child anymore. I wouldn’t have it even after eight months of keeping
- it.
When I woke up, I would leave. I’d start
over.
And as for Lilah–she could scream all she wanted about her brother’s death, but I wasn’t going to bear that burden anymore. I’d show her the truth.
As the child I carried for months left my body, I felt lighter than I had in years.
But at that moment, darkness pulled me
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under.
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