Chapter 2

Lucas stood over me, looking down at me like I was nothing. "Claire, I gave you a chance."

His phone rang. He glanced at the screen, his face changed, and he picked up the call.

"Lucas, it's thundering outside. I'm really scared..." Tessa's chocked voice trembled through the phone. "Can you come be with me? I can't stop shaking. Lucas..."

Lucas' voice instantly turned gentle. "Don't be scared. I'll be there right away."

He hung up and gave me a quick glance.

The look was brief. A flicker of pity passed, but more was the impatience of another delay from me.

Then he turned and walked out.

As the door slammed shut, a thunderclap exploded outside, so loud the whole building shook.

Then the rain came down in sheets, pounding against the windows like a thousand tiny fists.

I was sprawled out on the floor, and suddenly my belly started hurting.

It wasn't some dull ache; it felt like something inside me was tearing apart and dropping down, ripping through me.

I glanced down. There was blood on my nightgown. Not a lot, but it was bright red.

I tried to get up.

My legs buckled and I crashed down again, my hand landing right on a shard of broken plates. It cut into my skin, blood mixing with the spilled soup on the floor.

It hurt, but nothing compared to the pain in my belly.

I crawled over to the couch, grabbed my phone, and called 911. "I'm six months pregnant. I'm bleeding... a lot. My address is..."

The operator said they'd send an ambulance right away.

I hung up and collapsed on the floor, powerless. Outside, lightning kept flashing, thunder rumbling again and again, shaking the night.

The baby inside me was still moving, but the movements were growing weaker.

I held my belly, big tears falling one after another. "Don't be scared. Mommy's here," I whispered.

The rain outside only grew fiercer.

By the time I got to the hospital, I was already three fingers dilated.

The doctor ordered strict bed rest if I wanted any chance of saving the pregnancy.

I lay there in the hospital bed, hooked up to a magnesium sulfate drip, burning up from the inside out as the meds rushed through my veins.

The nurse told me the drug was supposed to stop my uterus from contracting, but all it did was make me feel feverish, nauseous, and like my head was spinning.

The woman in the bed next to mine was also on bed rest, trying to keep her baby safe.

Her husband fed her grapes, peeling each one. She said they were sour. He smiled and said he would find sweeter ones for her.

I turned my head and looked out the window. The rain stopped.

The next day, the nurse told me I could take a short walk in the hallway, but not to overdo it.

Using the wall for support, I slowly made my way to the little garden. The sunlight was warm, and a few other patients were out there basking in it.

And then I spotted Lucas. He was sitting on a bench, Tessa by his side.

Tessa was wearing a hospital gown, her hair down, her face pale, looking fragile.

She rested her head on Lucas' shoulder, his arm wrapped around her, cradling a glass of hot milk.

"Lucas, it's hot," Tessa pouted.

He blew on the milk and offered it to her again. "Drink it slowly."

Tessa took a sip and smiled. "Lucas, you're so sweet."

She looked up and spotted me.

Her face changed in a flash, not scared, but almost thrilled, like a cat catching sight of a mouse.

But that excitement flickered for just a second before it melted into sheer panic.

"She shrieked, diving into Lucas' arms as the milk splashed everywhere. "Bad woman is here, Lucas. I'm so scared."

Lucas looked up and saw me, his face darkening. "Claire, how did you even find us here? The doctors said she can't handle any stress. Why can't you just leave her alone?"

"I haven't done anything. I came to the hospital because—" I tried to explain.

But Lucas cut me off. "Just being here is hurting her."

The world spun around me, and my heart hurt worse than being stabbed. Tears wouldn't stop coming.

Lucas' hand moved as if to wipe my tears, almost out of reflex.

Tessa suddenly poked her head out from his arms, looking utterly pitiful. "Lucas, is she here to hurt me? Last time, she locked me up and made me lose my baby. Lucas, I miss my baby."

Lucas stood up, all the softness gone from his eyes, and strode right over to me. "Apologize. Now."

"I won't apologize," I said.

Lucas, blinded by rage, slapped me so hard my head whipped to the side. I staggered. The baby kicked again, and the pain made me sweat.

"This slap is for Tessa's baby," Lucas said.

"She isn't pregnant," I said, fighting through the pain.

Lucas slapped me again. "This slap is for Tessa."

The corner of my mouth split open, and the taste of blood flooded my mouth.

Lucas grabbed my hair, dragged me right in front of Tessa, and forced my head down, making me bow to her.

Tessa stared at me, her eyes gleaming with triumph, a smug smile on her face.

He slammed my head toward the floor, and I crashed down hard, my stomach slamming against the concrete.

The pain was agonizing, like something inside me had just torn apart. So much blood poured out from between my legs.

"My baby..." I reached down, my hand coming away thick and warm with blood.

Lucas froze, almost reaching for me.

Tessa beat him to it, clinging to his arm. "Lucas, I'm scared. There's so much blood. I'm really scared. Let's get out of here, please?"

"Get a doctor. Please..." The pain was so overwhelming I could barely form the words. Driven by pure instinct, I begged him for help. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Please, save my baby."

Lucas glanced between me and Tessa, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

He started to move, but Tessa quickly grabbed his arm, placing her hand over her stomach as if to remind him of her own pain.

"Lucas, my tummy hurts too. The doctor said we have a new baby. Our baby's going to be okay, right? I'm really scared," she said.