Chapter 3

My mother was absolutely seething. "You pushed Emily into this state. Get on your knees and apologize, and we can put this entire mess behind us."

I stared back at her, suddenly feeling as though this family was terrifyingly foreign.

"You seriously want me to get down on the floor?" I asked.

My mother didn't budge at all.

I turned my head to look at Edward, asking, "Do you also believe this is my fault?"

He remained silent for a brief moment. "Claire, Emily is incredibly emotionally fragile right now. Please humor her for the time being. It's nothing more than getting on your knees. Once her condition is stable, I will explain everything to you."

I suddenly lost the desire to speak altogether.

My own mother was forcing me to my knees. The man I had loved for eight years felt I deserved to swallow my pride.

Seeing my refusal to move, my mother reached out and pressed her hands heavily onto my shoulders, ordering, "You must apologize today."

My knees crashed against the hardwood floor, and the blinding pain made me black out for a second.

Edward made a move to step forward, but Emily clung tightly to his sleeve.

My mother watched me stay silent and delivered a swift kick to my side. "Did you lose your voice? Apologize."

I clenched my teeth, every breath sending a painful ache through my ribs. "I am sorry."

Emily spoke up, posing as the peacemaker, "Oh, Claire, we're family. Why hold on to bad feelings? Don't make a scene like this again."

I offered no response as I used the chair to pull myself upright.

A sharp cramp twisted through my lower abdomen, prompting me to press my hand instinctively against my stomach.

Edward caught the movement, his expression tightening with concern. "Are you feeling unwell?" he asked.

I replied in a voice as cold as ice. "It is none of your concern."

With that, I walked out the front door.

He chased after me into the foyer, but Emily called his name through her tears from the dining room.

His footsteps ground to an immediate halt.

As the elevator doors slid shut, a piercing cramp tore through my lower belly.

It felt as though a rusted, dull blade was violently twisting through my insides. I clutched my stomach tightly.

Only one thought remained in my mind.

I prayed my baby could hold on a little longer as I fought to get us out of there.

By the time I reached the ground floor, I was drenched in a cold sweat.

The doctor had mentioned that occasional abdominal pain was common during early pregnancy, assuring me that resting in bed would resolve it.

I had barely reached the edge of the front steps when Emily rushed out of the building, marching briskly to block my path.

"Are you feeling rather proud of yourself? He would have chased you down had I not called him back. Let me make one thing clear, Claire. Do not assume you have won simply because he loved you for eight years," she claimed.

She raised her hand, showing off the diamond ring resting on her finger.

I recognized the piece instantly. Edward and I had admired it in a luxury boutique last year.

It cost over twenty-six thousand dollars, a sum I could not bring myself to spend. Edward had promised to buy me something even more magnificent in the future.

Now, that very ring sat securely on Emily's hand.

"I casually mentioned how much I adored it last night, and Edward purchased it this afternoon," she declared with an innocent smile. "Look, Claire. You waited eight long years, and I received it the moment I asked."

My fingernails dug painfully into my palms, my chest feeling as though it were being ripped entirely apart.

She refused to stop her torment, stating, "That photo of my slit wrist was downloaded from the internet. I intentionally picked a blurry image, and neither of you noticed a thing.

"You were the easiest target. The moment our mother brought it up, you swallowed the lie completely."

I could no longer hold back my fury and raised my hand to slap her across the face.

She caught my wrist mid-air, locking me in a tight grip.

I curled my other arm around my stomach, not daring to put up a fight.

During the struggle, the ultrasound report slipped from my bag. Emily snatched it off the pavement and read the printed words.

"Intrauterine pregnancy at seven weeks? Does Edward know about this?" she asked.

A flash of ugly jealousy crossed her features.

"That is none of your business," I hissed.

She paused before letting out a sharp laugh. "He doesn't know yet. No wonder you have been acting so bold. Do you honestly believe a child will bring him crawling back to you?"

I reached out to snatch the report back, but she clamped her hand tightly around my wrist.

"Take a wild guess, Claire. Between an unborn infant and me, who do you think Edward will choose?" she asked.

I went pale as a sheet. A violent cramp spiked in my lower stomach, making my breathing ragged and desperate.

As I jerked my arm free, she lost her footing and stumbled backward.

My mother's horrified scream echoed from behind us. "Emily."

In the blink of an eye, my mother charged forward to shield Emily, instinctively shoving me away in the process. "You're bullying her again!"

My body was thrown violently backward.

My mother reached out in a delayed panic, but her hands grasped empty air.

I crashed heavily onto the hard concrete, my vision going completely black for several long seconds.

I curled into a tight ball on the ground, clutching my stomach desperately. Dark blood began to seep slowly from beneath the hem of my dress, sending a deafening buzz through my head.

"Mom, please call an ambulance," I pleaded.

At that exact moment, Emily clutched her chest, sobbing hysterically as she begged our mother to take her to the emergency room.

My mother cast a single glance in my direction before wrapping her arm around Emily and leading her away.

I watched their retreating figures as thick tears entirely blurred my vision.

"Mom," I called out.

She did not look back. She did not turn her head a single time.

I was lying in a pool of my own blood, and my stomach throbbed with tremors of excruciating pain.

I finally accepted the brutal reality that my mother would never love me the way she loved Emily.

With trembling fingers, I pulled out my phone and dialed Edward's number.

It connected on the third attempt. His voice was hushed and low. "What is it, Claire?" he asked.

At his familiar tone, the heavy grief I had suppressed came rushing to the surface.

"Edward, my stomach hurts so much," I whispered.

His breath hitched slightly. "Where are you?"

Before I could form a response, the loud voice of a hospital nurse echoed through his end of the line. "Family members for Emily Lane, please come over."

Immediately after, I heard Edward call out, "Coming right now."

When he spoke into the receiver again, his tone was noticeably rushed. "Claire, Emily is experiencing an irregular heartbeat, and the doctors need her family. Is your stomach acting up again? Take your medication for now. Go to the hospital if it becomes unbearable."

I was in too much agony to form a complete sentence. "Please save the bab-"