Chapter 3

Ken was the baby's father. When he found out I'd lost the baby, he was crushed.

He was under a ton of stress—physically and mentally. One day, he fell asleep at the wheel while driving. The car was totaled, and he died in the crash.

From that moment on, my life fell apart.

But now, I had a second chance. I couldn't let things go the same way again.

Just as the nurse came in to give me anesthesia, the pain in my stomach suddenly stopped.

I sat up fast and pushed her away, then got out of bed with one hand holding my belly.

The nurse tried to stop me. "Ma'am, where are you going?"

I didn't answer. I just knew I had to get out of there.

Roberta heard the commotion and came rushing over.

She grabbed me in a tight hug. "Kyla, what are you doing? You're about to give birth! Why are you acting like this? Don't you want your baby? Someone help me get her back in bed!"

Her voice rang in my head like some kind of demon.

I had no idea where the strength came from, but I shoved her away and pushed open the labor room door.

Then I saw Ken running toward me.

As soon as he reached me, he pulled me into his arms. "Kyla, what's going on?"

Seeing him made everything feel a little less terrifying.

I collapsed against his chest, out of breath. "Ken, you have to stay with me during the birth. Don't leave—no matter what. Don't let anyone make you leave. Someone's trying to take our baby."

Right after I said that, Roberta came out with the nurses.

When she saw Ken, she looked stunned—like he wasn't supposed to be here.

"Ken? What are you doing here? Aren't you working today?" she asked.

Ken was shaken by what I'd just told him, but he managed to reply, "Kyla's about to give birth. How could I go to work?"

He then looked around. "What's going on here? Why is Kyla running around the hospital? She is about to deliver."

Roberta looked uncomfortable. Having Ken here clearly messed up whatever she had planned. "What would you know about childbirth? You shouldn't even be here. Go back to work. I'm here—I'll take care of Kyla."

She reached out to grab me, and I panicked.

I clung to Ken. "No, Mom. I want Ken with me."

Ken held me protectively. "I already took the day off. I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying."

With that, he picked me up and carried me back to the labor room.

As I looked back, I saw the anger on Roberta's face.

Inside the room, Clement frowned the moment he saw Ken.

He glanced at Roberta, who had followed us in.

Roberta seemed to catch on and walked over to Ken. "Ken, you need to leave. This isn't the place for you. It's not appropriate."

Her voice wasn't gentle anymore—it was cold and commanding.

Ken looked confused. "She's my wife. I'm staying with her. That's not up for discussion."

Roberta didn't like that. She snapped, "Ken, you have to leave. You're just a low-level worker who barely makes ends meet. You think we need you here, huh? Go make yourself useful—go earn some money."

Ken looked embarrassed. He lowered his head and didn't say anything.

I couldn't take it anymore. My stomach still hurt, but I forced myself to speak up.

"Mom, Ken's already here. Why do you keep trying to make him leave?" I said. "I want him here. The more you push him away, the more it feels like you're hiding something."

I stared straight at her.

Roberta met my eyes—and for a second, she actually looked guilty.

Then she walked over and slapped me across the face.

My cheek went numb.

"You ungrateful brat. I'm your mother! What could I hide? You've got no heart," Roberta yelled right in my ear.

I looked up at her. "How am I ungrateful? I'm just telling the truth. Why are you always glued to me? Thora's also having a baby. Shouldn't you be checking on her? What if something happens?"

Thora was faking it. She kept quiet and acted like she was in pain, putting on a perfect show.

But when Roberta slapped me, I caught Thora looking smug out of the corner of my eye.