Chapter 4

I left.

When I got home, I packed all my things. Before leaving for good, I opened the nursery that had been locked for five years.

After I'd lost our three babies, Simon had locked it because he was afraid I'd fall apart.

The door opened, and I froze.

The solid wood crib I'd personally commissioned from a carpenter was piled high with Zoe's designer bags and clothes. The photo wall I'd created for our babies was now covered with intimate pictures of Zoe and Simon.

I opened a drawer. It was supposed to contain the recovery guide Simon had written for me after my miscarriages.

Instead, I found something titled "Notes on Zoe." The entries began on the day of my first miscarriage.

"July 20. Kyla miscarried. I fell in love with Zoe."

My fingers trembled uncontrollably.

So while I'd been suffering through the agony of losing my baby, he'd fallen in love with the person responsible. My legs felt impossibly heavy, but this time, I walked away without hesitation.

All night, Simon and my parents sent messages asking if I was okay. I ignored them.

The next morning, I put it in writing that I was cutting all ties with my parents. Then I handed the electronic evidence from Zoe's social media account over to Carter.

If everything went as expected, the story would break publicly that night, but it had nothing to do with me anymore.

I held my surgical paperwork and waited for my number to be called. When there were only three people ahead of me, I got ready to go to the waiting area.

Suddenly, Simon appeared with a dark expression and grabbed me. "Kyla? What are you doing here? Why didn't you answer any of my messages last night? Are you really this angry? You want to break up with me? Cut me out of your life?"

This time, I didn't scream or argue with him the way I used to. I simply stepped back.

"Yes. Let's break up, Simon."

At my firm answer, panic flashed through his eyes. "Are you trying to punish me again? Kyla, I already explained everything. Other than what happened with Caroline, I've never lied to you."

I nodded distractedly. "Okay."

That still wasn't enough for him. He reached for the surgical paperwork in my hand. "Why are you at the hospital?"

I quickly pulled it away. "I'm getting my back checked."

His expression gradually hardened. "Why would your back hurt? You weren't the one who donated bone marrow to me. Why do you keep bringing that up just to make me feel guilty?"

I couldn't be bothered arguing. There were only two people left ahead of me now.

Just then, Zoe walked over, beaming. "Kyla! Thank you! I thought you wouldn't agree. I can't believe you've finally moved on!"

Unease stirred inside me. "What are you talking about?"

Zoe looked confused. "Simon didn't tell you?"

The next second, Simon said expressionlessly, "I had the three headstones you put up for those dead babies removed. I'm building Carol a postpartum recovery center on the property."

The words drove through me like ice. I stared at him, so furious I could barely breathe. "Simon, they were your children too!"

He looked at me impatiently. "Don't worry. I'll find somewhere suitable to relocate them."

Just as I began to relax, Zoe hugged me excitedly and thanked me. Then, beside my ear, she whispered, "I actually smashed your babies' headstones a long time ago."

My eyes widened. I could barely believe what I'd heard.

"Why would you do this to me, Zoe? I'm your sister!"

Before I could touch her, Mom and Dad rushed over. Dad grabbed me and shoved me aside so violently that I crashed into the wall and dropped to my knees. My ears rang from the impact, and a sharp pain shot through my head.

"Kyla! How long are you going to keep hurting people?"

"How did I raise a daughter this unreasonable?"

Their cruel words barely registered. I stared at Simon as he protected Zoe.

Then my name was called for surgery. I staggered to my feet and started toward the door.

Zoe suddenly picked up my surgical paperwork. "Kyla, why would you do something this drastic and have your uterus removed?"

I ignored her and kept walking. Simon and my parents immediately grabbed my arms.

"Kyla! Are you insane? Are you trying to kill yourself?"

I shook with anger. "I'm not trying to die!"

But Zoe's eyes reddened as she urged them, "Hurry, Simon! It's my turn to have the baby's heartbeat checked anyway. Get her out of here!"

My arms and legs were pinned so tightly I couldn't break free.

Before I knew it, they'd taken me into another procedure room. The doctor Dr. Gerry Sullivan, quickly restrained my arms.

"I've seen plenty of girls like you. A D&C without anesthesia will teach you a lesson. You're not pregnant, so what are you worried about?"

A D&C without anesthesia?

My heart seemed to stop.

For someone who wasn't pregnant, the procedure itself wouldn't be dangerous, but for a pregnant woman, the pain could be unbearable.

Through the door, I screamed desperately for help, "Simon! I really am pregnant! A D&C without anesthesia could kill me!"

Shock crossed his face. Then Zoe said something to him, and disgust flashed through his eyes.

I understood immediately.

I tried to appeal to Mom and Dad, but all their attention was on Zoe.

A cold needle pierced my skin. Pain swept through my entire body.

I closed my eyes in despair.

Three hours later, Simon returned with Zoe after her prenatal appointment. Dr. Sullivan stormed out of the procedure room, his face dark with anger.

"Who's the patient's family? Don't you know a D&C on a pregnant woman could kill her?"