Lowell had listened to Nana’s plea — not to kill Marco’s son. He’s innocent, she had said, her voice weak but certain. For that reason, Melissa, her unborn child, and mother Eleanor were spared.
One month has passed already. Now, both women — Nana and Melissa — are close to their delivery day. But the journey feels different for each of them. Melissa walks around with ease, glowing, her hands often caressing her round belly as if carrying a blessing. Her laughter sometimes echoes softly in the corridors.
But for Nana… every day feels like life is being pulled out of her, thread by thread. Her skin has lost its color; her body, once strong and graceful, now lies almost still.
Lowell hears the whispers. He catches them behind closed doors, behind lowered eyes and hurried steps. The same w
