Chapter 7

The day before the surgery, Rita sat on the bench outside the exam room, staring at the test results in her hands.

She put a hand on her stomach and whispered, "Two months pregnant… How's that even possible?"

What happened between them two months ago had been quick and rough. It was Tara's birthday, and Seth had been completely drunk.

His face was flushed as he slumped into her arms. His movements were rough, almost harsh, and his eyes, blurred by alcohol, showed nothing but sorrow.

"My mom's dying wish was that I take care of Tara. She died in the delivery room, and now Tara's stuck in a hospital bed, unable to do anything on her own. Victor was my best friend.

"How could he fail her like that? Rita, what am I supposed to do? Rita… How am I supposed to keep loving you?"

Rita didn't sleep at all that night. She went over everything again and again, but she still couldn't understand how she and Seth had ended up on opposite sides like enemies.

It wasn't just Winnie between them. Old family grudges and deaths were also hanging over both of them.

And life wasn't done messing with Rita yet. She'd taken plenty of birth control pills, but she still ended up pregnant with a baby that was never supposed to exist.

She lowered her gaze. This might be the last thread connecting her and Seth. Maybe it was her last chance to hold onto what they used to have.

So, before the surgery, she grabbed Seth's sleeve at the door. "Seth, I need to talk to you."

He froze for a moment. Something flickered across his face, and he pulled his arm out of her hold. His voice turned cold. "Rita, it's too late for you to back out now."

A bitter ache tightened in her chest. She had to take a few deep breaths before she got the words out. "Seth, what if I were pregnant—"

"That's ridiculous!" he snapped.

The cold look in his eyes made Rita's chest tighten.

He gave a short, humorless laugh. "You took all those pills and still got pregnant? Fine. Then you and that kid can pay Winnie back together."

Rita wobbled a little but forced a crooked smile as she handed him a document. "It's the family consent form for the surgery. Sign it."

As soon as he heard it was for Winnie's surgery, he didn't hesitate. He signed his name and turned to leave.

"Seth, we're even after this," Rita said.

He paused for a beat, his gaze going even colder. "Keep dreaming."

…

Winnie had the doctors leave the operating room, then walked up to Rita like she wasn't in any rush. Her eyes were challenging, her smile smug.

"I didn't think that little setup would work this well. Rita, running into me was really your bad luck."

She pulled the bandage off her face. Her skin was flawless, with no visible scars.

"Surprised? I can even fake my scars. You're not still hoping Seth loves you, are you? Rita, if I were the sister of a murderer, I wouldn't have the nerve to keep living."

A sharp pain cut through Rita's chest. She stumbled back and steadied herself against the wall.

A metallic taste spread across her tongue, pulling her back into focus. "Is that so? Because the marriage certificate has both of our names. You never had any real claim on him."

Winnie's expression slipped for a second, but she fixed it almost immediately, chin lifting again. "We'll see about that!"

…

Rita lay there like a corpse, letting the doctor move her however he needed. As the cold anesthesia slid into her spine, a laugh tore out of her, bitter and a little unhinged.

She was drowning in grief and anger and didn't even know who she was supposed to take it out on.

A cramp tore through her lower belly. She doubled over and tumbled off the operating table, forcing the doctor to stop the procedure.

When Rita lifted her head, she met Seth's dark, sharp stare.

Every word that came out of him hurt more than the last. You'd rather play dead than take responsibility? Rita, you really never stop scheming, do you?"

Rita felt another warm rush spreading beneath her. Pushing through the pain, she started, "That's not—"

"You're still talking back? Get up. You're coming with me to apologize to Winnie!"

Seth yanked her so hard her vision dimmed and her head filled with fog. No matter how loudly he yelled, his words barely reached her.

Rita finally collapsed onto the floor, limp.

A nurse next to her whispered, "Mr. Jones, could she be miscarrying?"

Seth's eyes widened as he stared at the blood spreading under Rita.