Chapter 2

2

Patrick took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Peter's gone too far. I'll talk to him. Think it over."

Before I could refuse, the hospital called.

I rushed there. My foster mom was in surgery.

I collapsed onto a chair in the hallway, staring at the red light above the operating room door, feeling utterly alone.

Why was the world so cruel? I’d never hurt anyone. Was I going to lose the only person who loved me?

The elevator dinged.

Medics rushed a pregnant woman toward the OR.

Moments later, the doctor came out. Stillbirth.

The family's wails tore through me. They cried for the doctors to save the mother.

I touched my stomach, grief welling up.

There had been a life there, connected to me.

Even if his father was a monster, I'd wanted him.

I'd even started to accept a life with Peter, for the baby's sake.

But the accident had broken more than his body.

Peter believed Sarah. He saw me as a gold digger.

So he took me to the bungee platform, as revenge.

His men held me down. He strapped me into the harness himself.

He saw my tears, heard my pleas. It just fueled his excitement.

He didn't push me right away. He poked my shoulder, relishing my screams.

Despair washed over me. I felt like I was losing my mind.

I begged him. “There’s a baby! Please don’t do this!”

His eyes flashed. He shoved me off the platform.

The world dropped away. Pain ripped through my abdomen.

They pulled me up after the blood started flowing down my legs.

I was white as a sheet, numb with shock.

Peter waved his hand in front of his face. My blood was offending his delicate sensibilities.

Sarah leaned against him, snapping pictures. "Smile for the camera, sis!"

I passed out.