Chapter 4

I opened my eyes to Elara's face hovering over me. Blood was pooling beneath my body.

Greer burst through the door, shoved Elara to the floor, and slammed the call button by the bed.

"Doctor! Get in here! She's bleeding!"

The medical team rushed in and wheeled me to the emergency room.

The surgery lasted five hours. The baby survived.

When they rolled me back to my room, I stared at the blinding lights overhead and let the tears stream down my face.

The doctor said I had a difficult time conceiving. This child was a miracle. Thank God Greer found me in time.

Greer reached over and wiped my tears away. That was when Elara walked in.

She hung her head, looking wounded.

"Ayana, I didn't mean it. I was just so worried. I thought it was just your normal anemia."

"So I gave you a stronger medication. I had no idea you were pregnant. I didn't know it would react badly."

Her voice shrank smaller and smaller. Greer raised her hand and slapped her across the face.

"Your prenatal report was right there on the nightstand. Are you really going to pretend you didn't see it?"

"If I hadn't gotten here when I did, Ayana and the baby would both be gone."

"You think 'I didn't mean it' makes this go away?"

Lorenzo burst in and caught Greer's hand before it could land again.

"That's enough! Greer! Elara was trying to help. Why do you two always gang up on her?"

"She heard me say Ayana fainted from anemia. She dropped everything, left her own patient, and brought the medication over."

"How was she supposed to know Ayana would have a reaction?"

He turned to me then, his eyes full of sympathy.

"Ayana, Elara didn't mean any harm."

"She was just telling me I need to pay more attention to you. How could she possibly want to hurt you?"

His voice was so soft it made my chest ache. He thought it was just an allergic reaction. Once again, I came second to Elara.

But this wasn't an allergy. That medication was strictly forbidden for pregnant women.

"Ayana, actually—"

Greer tried to tell him. She didn't get to finish.

"This is over. Right now."

Greer opened her mouth again. I gently tugged her hand and shook my head.

She was trembling with rage. She screamed at him.

"Get out! Both of you! Get the hell out!"

Lorenzo looked at me. He didn't say a word.

I pointed at the door and spoke quietly.

"Get out."

He shielded Elara as they walked out, his steps steady and unhurried.

"Fine. Ayana, you're too emotional right now. I have surgery. I'll come keep you company tomorrow once you've calmed down."

When they were gone, Greer grabbed a glass bottle from the table and hurled it at the door.

"Ayana, I have never seen a man treat his wife like that."

"I'm glad you're leaving. The Vincenzos will come looking, but I'll help you cover your tracks."

"Go to Paris. Focus on your work. Don't look back."

I pulled my sister close, the one person who shared my blood and my heart, and nodded.

"We're leaving. Now."

The next morning, as I was checking out of the hospital, the attending physician looked at my pale face and warned me.

"Your body isn't ready for discharge yet. You need more rest."

I nodded and finished all the paperwork.

"I'll rest properly in Paris."

Before boarding the plane, I snapped my SIM card in half and dropped it in the trash.

As the plane lifted off, I watched the city I had lived in for so many years shrink away beneath me. My heart finally started to settle.

Goodbye, Lorenzo. I never want to see your face again.