Chapter 3

Without thinking, I rested my hand on my belly.

It was the only thing that truly shared my blood in this entire world.

I grew up getting hit, yelled at, and going hungry. I had no choice.

My child was different.

I couldn't let him live a life of being picked over, judged, and discarded at any moment.

Before, I was alone, so I could tolerate everything. I could endure my toxic family, my boyfriend who didn't know his place, and a difficult future sister-in-law.

Now that I had this child, I couldn't. Not anymore.

My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. A text popped up, reminding me about tonight's flight.

I stood up, ready to go.

My mom's expression shifted. "Where are you going? Didn't I tell you there's no need for you to show up at Winnie's wedding today?"

Before I could respond, she started tearing into me. "You're pathetic. You couldn't hold onto your own man. Now what? Are you going to crash Winnie's wedding?

"Give it up. They grew up together, and now that they've found they're not related. What do you think you are to him?"

"I'm not going," I cut her off.

She froze for a second, clearly not believing me.

After staring at me for a while, a strange look flashed across her face. "Ryan was right."

She clicked her tongue. "He called us this morning, said you're stubborn, and told us to keep an eye on you so you wouldn't do anything reckless."

Then she grabbed my wrist. "You're coming with us."

I stumbled. "I said I'm not going."

"No?" My mom snorted. "Do you expect me to believe you'll stay home and not pull something?

"What if we leave, and you run over there to cause trouble? How embarrassing would that be for us? You're coming with me, and I'm keeping an eye on you."

With that, she shoved me toward the door.

*****

The wedding was held at one of the Smith Group's hotels.

I was sitting between my parents.

The ceremony was completed. Winnie linked her arm with Ryan's, smiling softly.

Ryan gently tucked her hair behind her ear.

The crowd started cheering. "Kiss the bride."

He smiled and pressed a kiss on her forehead.

My mom leaned in and whispered, "Look at how perfect they are together. Let it go."

I didn't say a word.

Yeah, they really were perfect for each other. Back when everyone found out I was dating Ryan, she said the same thing.

The host started talking about how they'd grown up together and were basically meant for each other, saying their love had survived every bump in the road.

I lowered my head, forcing a bitter smile.

I'd picked this host from the top ten most sought-after wedding hosts. He really knew how to work the crowd.

They were the childhood sweethearts, and I was only the bump in their love story.

I looked around.

The lighting was the way I wanted it. The flowers were selected by me, the music was my curated playlist, and every decoration had been carefully designed by me.

I planned this whole wedding all by myself, and in the end, it became his wedding to someone else.

Suddenly, I felt maybe this was fine. At least I ended everything myself.

My phone buzzed in my bag, and the screen lit up with a reminder for my 9:45 p.m. flight.

I stared at the screen, my lips twitching.

It wasn't a smile. The pain suddenly faded.

I gently rested my hand on my belly, thinking about how soon I'd have someone who was really family and a solid career ahead of me. For once, I finally felt settled.

I turned the screen off and stood up to leave.

"Yvonne," someone called out. "Winnie and Ryan are coming over to give a toast. Where are you going?"

I turned around, and Winnie was already walking over with a full glass of wine. "Yvonne, this is for you."

I didn't move.

She knew I couldn't drink.

"Yvonne?" She tilted her head. "It's my wedding day. Won't you toast your little sister?"

My mom pinched me under the table. "Don't make Winnie look bad in front of everyone."

I frowned in pain and tried to refuse. "I'm not feeling well. I can't drink."

Winnie glanced at Ryan with an innocent look, then turned to me. "Yvonne, are you still mad at me?"

Ryan frowned, took the glass from Winnie, and gently pressed it into my hand. "You didn't come early to help out with the wedding, and Winnie is already kind of upset.

"Have a drink with her. It's a big day. Don't make people laugh at us."

I tried to step back, but my mom grabbed my shoulder from behind, stopping me.

She grabbed my chin, snatched the glass, and forced the wine down my throat. "Drink it. Have some respect for Winnie and Ryan."

The wine rushed into my throat, making me cough and choke.

Ryan stood off to the side, saying nothing.

After I finished coughing, Winnie grabbed another glass and offered it to me. "Yvonne, thank you for forgiving me. Here, to our reunion."

I held my belly and backed away, my voice shaky. "No. I really can't drink anymore."

Someone nearby started shouting, "Come on, that barely counts. She needs another one."

My mom heard that and grabbed me again.

She snatched the glass from Winnie, held my chin, and poured the wine into my mouth.

The wine spilled down my mouth, wetting my collar.

Then came the third glass.

Winnie turned to Ryan, her voice soft and syrupy. "Babe, Yvonne still looks upset. Should I toast her again to apologize?"

Ryan glanced at me, frowning, looking like he was about to say something.

Winnie was already pressing a fourth glass to my lips. "Yvonne, here's to Mom and Dad. Thank you for taking care of them."

My mom took the glass and forced it down my throat.

My stomach was churning, and the pain in my belly had turned into a heavy, sinking ache.

I tried to push my mom away, but she smacked my hand aside. "Stop being so dramatic."

Then came the fifth drink.

Ryan finally stepped in. "Alright, that's enough."

He walked over, annoyed. "Yvonne, cheer up. You used to handle full business dinners without a problem. Now it's only a few drinks, and you're acting like it's too much."

I stumbled and fell to the floor, gripping my belly tightly.

Ryan reached out to steady me, whispering softly to comfort me. "Hey, you know this whole thing with Winnie is only for show.

"Didn't we agree to register our marriage tomorrow? You're the only one I truly want. When we have our own baby—"

The second he touched my lower back, Ryan froze mid-sentence.

He glanced down at his hand. His palm was slick and sticky.

There was warm blood on it.