Chapter 4

"Elena, you've had two days to think about what you did. Thankfully, Nora and the baby are fine. Apologize to her, and we'll put this whole thing behind us." Julian's expression was as gentle as ever, but there was no warmth in his voice.

Here we go again. No matter who was actually at fault, I was always the one expected to apologize.

When I said nothing, Nora's eyes filled with tears. "Lena, I know you didn't mean to push me. You're just emotional because of the pregnancy. Even if I'd lost my baby, I wouldn't have blamed you."

The argument had already drawn several neighbors into the hallway, and their whispers reached my ears.

"I heard she tried for years before she finally got pregnant. Maybe she's just jealous that Nora got pregnant so easily."

Their little performance made me sick.

I didn't want to waste another second on them. All I wanted was to get everything over with as quickly as possible and leave.

But just as I was about to close the door, Julian stopped it with his hand. His voice remained soft, but the warning beneath it was unmistakable. "Lena, you wouldn't want our baby to grow up without a father, would you?"

Mom heard the commotion and hurried over on her crutch. She immediately stepped in front of me. "Nonsense! The police already proved Lena didn't push her. She threw herself down those stairs and tried to frame Lena!"

But before Mom could finish, Charlie suddenly charged at her and knocked her down. Sobbing, he screamed, "Witch! Leave my mommy alone! You and Lena stole my daddy from us! Mommy said Lena's the homewrecker who ruined our family!"

Mom already struggled to keep her balance with one leg. The shove sent her crashing backward, and her head struck the edge of the entryway console.

My mind went blank. All I could see was red.

I rushed to her as fast as my heavy body would allow and pressed my hands against the wound.

"Call 911! Someone, please call an ambulance!"

Everything descended into chaos. Even Julian looked panicked. He took a step toward Mom, but Nora suddenly cried out behind him. "Julian! My stomach hurts so badly! I think something's wrong with the baby!"

Julian stopped. I screamed at him to help us. I begged until my throat was raw. In the end, he still chose Nora.

"Your mom just bumped her head. Nora's baby is more important." He grabbed my phone before hurrying out with Nora and Charlie. Then he pulled the door shut behind him and locked it from the outside. "Elena, Nora's pregnancy is already at risk because of you. I'm taking your phone so you can't cause any more trouble. Stay home and think about what you've done."

The click of the lock left me frozen. For a moment, I couldn't believe what he'd just done.

My mother was bleeding on the floor, and he had deliberately left us there without a phone.

So my mother's life really did matter less to him than Nora's. At that moment, I finally saw Julian for exactly who he was.

Just then, a violent pain ripped through my abdomen. It was so sharp and overwhelming that I could barely breathe.

But one look at Mom lying in the pool of blood forced me to move. I grabbed a chair, staggered to the window, and swung it against the glass with all the strength I had left.

The window shattered. My screams finally brought the neighbors rushing back to the door, and someone immediately called 911.

By the time the paramedics forced their way inside, my vision was already fading. "Save... my mom..."

Then everything went black.

When I woke up, the smell of antiseptic told me I was in a hospital before I even opened my eyes.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

Mom's head injury had been severe, and the delay in getting her treatment had cost her life. My baby was gone too.

I didn't scream. I didn't cry. I didn't shed a single tear.

I arranged a simple funeral for Mom.

Near the end of the service, Patricia arrived to pick me up.

"Lena, everything's ready. Your fellowship is confirmed, and your immigration paperwork has been approved. The hospital has arranged housing for you too. We can leave as soon as you're ready."

Before I could answer, Julian's stunned voice came from behind me.

"What fellowship? What immigration paperwork? Where are you going? Why didn't I know about this?"