Chapter 4
579 Words
"God... I'm so scared," Lilith sobbed.
Rowan's face turned stormy, his eyes burning with barely restrained fury.
"Maisie!! Who gave you the right? You were too exhausted after childbirth to care for your babies! Lilith was just trying to help—how dare you lay hands on her!?
"Even monsters don't eat their own young! They are your children! Your flesh and blood! If you won't love them, what gives you the right to take their lives!?"
Me? Exhausted? Me? Killing my own children?
Lying in a spreading pool of blood, I shook with rage.
"'Monsters don't eat their young'? Rowan, explain that to me!
"Tell me why I was comatose after surgery! Where's my other child? And why is this room full of blood extraction equipment? Is THIS your idea of parental love!?"
"Enough!! You're just weak—sleeping a full day after birth! Lilith was delivered the same day and was fine! If you can't handle motherhood, and she helps you, how dare you hurt her? Get over here and apologize! NOW!"
Oh, how perfect—I was weak; I couldn't handle motherhood.
Staring at Rowan, I suddenly burst into laughter, tears streaming down my face.
My husband helped another woman kill my baby, and now, he was demanding I grovel to her.
With gritted teeth, I dragged myself up and knelt stiffly before Lilith.
Like a penitent sinner, I smashed my forehead against the floor, apologizing to her repeatedly.
Blood streaked my vision. Rowan's face paled as he reached for me.
I jerked away before his fingers could connect.
"Rowan, my mistake—I've misjudged her kindness. I've hurt your precious. There. My heartfelt apology. Satisfied?"
His expression flickered with something unreadable as he was about to say something, but Lilith clutched his arm.
"Rowan, my belly... It's killing me. She must've hurt..."
A beat of silence. Then Rowan swept her into his arms.
Before they left, Rowan called a doctor.
As they disappeared through the door, my limbs gave out. I slumped onto the tiles, a puppet with cut strings.
Gritting my teeth through the pain, I managed to dial two final calls.
For the next month, Rowan became Lilith's shadow, accompanying her through postpartum confinement and lavish wedding preparations.
They browsed bridal boutiques together, fingers brushing against lace and silk, posed for perfect family portraits, and inked each other's names on ivory wedding invitations.
They lived out every fantasy I'd cherished—every milestone I failed to reach.
The man who once avoided cameras now proudly announced their engagement to the world.
On their wedding eve, against all expectations, my phone lit up with his messages.
Rowan: I'm sorry, Maisie. I went too far that day. It won't happen again.
Rowan: Lilith's still young, inexperienced, not as worldly as you.
Rowan: If you just accept the situation and get along well with her, we can return to normal. I'll do right by you, especially where our children are concerned.
*****
Message after message flooded my screen. A cold laugh escaped my lips.
Rowan rarely apologized. That was a first.
But he didn't know—
I'd already reduced every remnant of my existence to ashes. There would be no coming back.
On their wedding day, as the bridal march swelled through the salt-tinged air, I stood at the crumbling edge where land met sea.
When the chime for "exchange of rings" rang out, I let the hungry waves claim me with a final, silent splash.
- Writer
