Amelia’s POV
The faint morning light seeped through the hospital room curtains, but it brought no comfort. My body ached, and my heart thudded with a constant rhythm of fear. The events of last night played on repeat in my mind—the blows, the darkness, the words of the doctor echoing in my ears: You’re pregnant.
Every thought led to Richard. If he found out, he would kill me. No, he wouldn’t stop there. He would destroy me—and the baby. My hand instinctively moved to my abdomen, as if to shield the tiny life inside.
I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t.
But how would I escape? My options felt like a cruel joke. No money, no job, no friends.
A soft knock broke my thoughts. Before I could respond, Margaret stepped in.
My mother’s face, etched with lines of worry, momentarily softened
