The Child She Lost,The Crown She Won

nna

s hand back, his eyes da

s not what i

, wrapping it around

he stammers. "We're conducti

oat pocket and tap the sc

ng your plan to steal my inheritance. I'm accustomed to your past whor

ll color. He steps forwa

ten to me. Whatever

ep him s

ictim. Tears well up in her eyes as sh

other through the market. I was ju

ead for the steel door. I need to get out. I need to get this recording to

er fingers digging into

have to b

ce. My heel catches on a patch of wet, slimy

onto the unfo

fingers dug into the fabric of my coat over my stomach, the nails bending. A cramp, sharp and terrifying, tore through my lower body. I loo

flying to her mouth in a

from his face until it was the color

on, Si

n was a white heat. Black spots bloomed at the edges of my

y eyes. The smell of antiseptic tells me I am in the underground syndicate clini

the situation is extremely critical. We are

nd it was dizzyin

e bed. He leans forward, his face

hide the preg

ence. He answers it, his expression shifting to one of sheer pan

go. Syndica

ook at me as he r

ly who calle

ife still clinging on inside me. The recording is still o

e blank ceiling, tracing

oor o

and exhausted. He carries a small, stea

handing me a small paper cup filled with water and a crushe

ht, I swallow t

my entire body. My spine arches off the mattress. I g

u give me?"

tight embrace. Tears spill from his

rnal tearing. The doctor said the baby wouldn't survive the night, and the hemorr

stomach was a distant fire compared to the tearing sensation in my ch

s l

nd now-the timing of this sudden "emergency" abortion, right after I had recorded his confession. His pupils did no

hits me, ripping a s

all back against the pillows, h

allowed me whole, one thoug

kill our child

e it was proof of a union