Maya’s POV
Sunlight streamed through the curtains when I opened my eyes. For a moment, I forgot everything,the fear, the pain, the threats. Then it all came rushing back like a nightmare I couldn’t wake from. The treehouse. The kidnapping. Richard Stone’s ultimatum.
It was morning.
My body ached all over. The bruises that had started as faint marks yesterday had deepened into dark purple and yellow patches across my skin. My ribs hurt when I breathed. But I was still alive.
And then I felt it the soft flutter in my stomach. My baby was still there, still moving, still fighting.
A knock sounded at the door. I tensed, my heartbeat quickening. The same woman from last night walked in, holding a breakfast tray.
“Good morning,” she said calmly, setting the tray on the small table near the
